Switching gears a bit from purely tech topics, I’d like to devote an entry to mashups. For those not in the know, mashups are the result of skillful merging of two or more distinct songs into a single musical piece. Sometimes the merger does little more than add a different beat, however skilled DJs can create songs that are virtually new creations of their own right.

There are several examples of excellent mashup collections, most notably the “Best of Bootie” (2008), a yearly collection of mashups from across the world. The music is often available for free to download. I myself haven’t had the pleasure of attending a Bootie mashup event, but the CDs and various mp3s are perhaps a decent substitute. Just today I came upon a few new sites that offer free mashup downloads. Mashuptown is a semiweekly blog that posts individual tracks as well as full albums from mashup artists. There’s a place for producers to submit their mashups. I found Dylan Mashed on Mashuptown recently and its been playing since.

Bootie USA is yet another blog that showcases mashups on a regular basis. Every month, Bootie USA releases their Top10 for the month – like DJ Lobsterdust’s “Hot Maus”(Van Halen vs. Deadmau5).

Mashups are an intriguing emerging trend in music and offer a unique listening experience.

I’m working on some more techie stuff for the future, but for now, head out to your nearest mashup site and snag some music.