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MIXTAPE: May Day

MIXTAPE: May Day (photo)

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Happy May Day!

Yes, “mayday” can be used as a distress signal, but for many countries around the world, May Day is a joyous holiday that celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement.

(left: Don’t get tangled when you dance around the maypole today.)

May 1 is also the date when Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was made available to the public 53 years ago. (Current health concerns have many rooting for all the Salk-like minds in medicine today.) On this date 18 years ago Rickey Henderson, became the all-time leading base-stealer in Major League Baseball. On the same date, one year later–amidst the turbulent L.A. riots–Rodney King uttered his now famous, “Can we all get along?” The quote made perfectly good sense, but oddly enough, became parodied more than embraced. May 1 is also the birthday of film director, Wes Anderson, and garage punk, Jay Reatard.

As always, the Indie Ear Blog commemorates the holiday by throwing together a mixtape for the occasion. Whether you celebrate it or not, have a great May Day!

1. “Wherever I May Roam,” Metallica
If you happen to be roaming anywhere on this May Day, this seems like it would be a perfect song to rock on your iPod.

2. “Maybellene,” Chuck Berry
A little MAY-bellene for you on May Day. There’s a reason this song is considered a rock and roll classic.

3. “My Name Is Jonas,” Weezer
There are many labor overtones in this song, so it seems ideal for a May Day mix, especially when Rivers Cuomo shouts, “The workers are going home!” (I’m imagining the workers are either going home because they have the day off, or are going home to organize a full-scale protest demonstration.)

4. “See/Saw,” Jay Reatard
May Day is also Jay’s day–happy birthday!

5. “Superfly,” Curtis Mayfield
A little May Day funk for ya. Did you know that if Curtis MAY-field was born three days earlier he would have been born in the month of May?

6. “Around The World,” Daft Punk
Countries across the globe are celebrating today, so the inclusion of this track seemed quite necessary. And, oh yes, May Day is also celebrated in Daft Punk’s native France.

7. “May Day!” Elvis Perkins
I can’t forget about my indie peeps on May Day.

8. “May Day,” Unkle featuring The Duke Spirit
Two “May Day” tracks on one May Day mix? I didn’t know which one I liked better, so I included them both.

9. “Needle In The Hay,” Elliot Smith
Wes Anderson, this one’s for you (the track was feautred in The Royal Tenenbaums). Guess how old Wes is today? He’s celebrating the big 4-0.

10. “Beautiful Day,” U2
What a versatile mixtape track, huh? However, if May Day wasn’t celebrated in Ireland (U2’s home country), I promise you, I wouldn’t have included it. Like Bono so beautifully puts it: It’s beautiful day, don’t let it get away!

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The Best Of The Last

Portlandia Goes Out With A Bang

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The end is near. In mere days Portlandia wraps up its final season, and oh what a season it’s been. Lucky for you, you can watch the entire season right now right here and on the IFC app, including this free episode courtesy of Subaru.

But now, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the new classics Fred and Carrie have so thoughtfully bestowed upon us. (We’ll be looking back through tear-blurred eyes, but you do you.)

Couples Dinner

It’s not that being single sucks, it’s that you suck if you’re single.

Cancel it!

A sketch for anyone who has cancelled more appointments than they’ve kept. Which is everyone.

Forgotten America

This one’s a “Serial” killer…everything both right and wrong about true crime podcasts.

Wedding Planners

The only bad wedding is a boring wedding.

Disaster Hut

It’s only the end of the world if your doomsday kit doesn’t include rosé.

Catch up on Portlandia’s final episodes on demand and at IFC.com

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Your Portlandia Personality Test

The New Portlandia Webseries Is Going Your Way

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Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.

Uncle-Buck

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Hits from the '80s are on repeat all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC.

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GIFs via Giphy, Photos via The Everett Collection

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and thanks to IFC’s movie marathon all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can revel in classic ’80s films AND find inspiration for your last-minute gifts. Here are our recommendations, if you need a head start:

Musical Instrument

Great analog entertainment substitute when you refuse to give your kid the Nintendo Switch they’ve been drooling over.

Breakfast In Bed

Any significant other or child would appreciate these Uncle Buck-approved flapjacks. Just make sure you’re not stuck on clean up duty.

Cocktail Supplies

You’ll need them to get through the holidays.

Dance Lessons

So you can learn to shake-shake-shake (unless you know ghosts willing to lend a hand).

Comfy Clothes

With all the holiday meals, there may be some…embigenning.



Get even more great inspiration all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC, and remember…

Always on

Slightly off