Like many singer-songwriters Anthony Aparo’s songs are reflective, inward looking works that value hushed intimacy over bombast. But it would be a mistake to brand him a sad, tear-in-your-beer troubadour. There’s something far too fully realized and emotionally resonant about his compositions; he’s mellow and calm without being drab, confessional without being mopey. Listening to “Don’t Be Late,” the lead single from his debut LP Under, you get the distinct sense there’s careful planning and purpose behind each line and note, but the way it floats and glides so effortlessly is — to borrow one of his descriptors — magical. It’s a song that feels warmly familiar, steeped deep in the breezy, meditative spirit of the golden ’70s, without succumbing to the cold grip of fuzzy nostalgia.

In honor of tomorrow’s release of Under, we invited Aparo to curate a mixtape that draws from the influences that guided him as he wrote and recorded his debut. As you would expect, there’s a generous share of classic songwriters — Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor among them — but there’s also space for contemporary voices like Mac Demarco. And although the songs lean towards soft rhythms and resplendent harmonies, each track retains a textured complexity that requires patience and focus to apprehend. As a mixtape it’s pensive and soothing; as a primer for Aparo’s debut, it’s absolutely perfect.

1. “Melissa” – The Allman Brothers Band

I remember being a kid hearing this song for the first time and being transfixed by how much feel and emotion I could hear in the recording. The band is sloppy, the acoustic guitars are a little out of tune, and there’s this massive voice that glides over the top of the whole track in a really magical way. I pulled from the song’s guitar tones and counter-melodies pretty frequently throughout the whole record.

2. “Either Way” – Wilco

This song is the opening track of Sky Blue Sky and is probably my favorite on the entire record. The intro finger-picked electric guitar is such an instant, gratifying sound, and Jeff Tweedy’s melodies wind effortlessly through some pretty complex chord progressions. The fidelity of this track is also something I really wanted to achieve when we were in the studio. This is definitely a year-round, every year song for me.

3. “Treat Her Better” – Mac Demarco

Mac Demarco reminds me so much of Spector-era John Lennon, but in a super playful and light-hearted way. He’s able to write pop songs and poke fun at the genre, but in a way that I’ve never seen anyone do. I guess this song kinda reminds of Todd Rundgren, too. I just dig it.

4. “Helplessly Hoping” – Crosby, Stills & Nash

I grew up on CSNY, and this song still hits me in the chest every time I hear it. The vocal arrangement and lyrics are incredible. I think this song crept its way into all the acoustic ballads on the record at some point in time.

5. “Peace Like a River” – Paul Simon

Paul Simon is one of my biggest songwriting inspirations, mostly because of his consistency. Every song on every record from Simon and Garfunkel’s Bookends onward is a favorite of mine. This song in particular is on his first (really his second but first that made it) solo album that came out in 1972. I The sounds are so inspiring to me, and the guitar part is one of the first I tried to learn as a kid.

6. “Shower the People” – James Taylor

This is a beautiful song, but the chorus is what keeps it around for me. James Taylor is the only person who is allowed to make soft-rock cool. The voices in the chorus and the band arrangement use such classic ’70s textures, and it’s so satisfying every time. I definitely stole some feel from this song for “Don’t Be Late”.

7. “Little Green” – Joni Mitchell

I was so in love with Joni Mitchell throughout high school, and for some reason stopped listening to her as much when I moved to Atlanta. When the ATL Collective asked me and my wife to be a part of Blue at Eddie’s Attic, it kickstarted that love again and I started re-discovering all these songs that meant so much to me when I was learning how to be a person. This song is gorgeous, and her guitar playing is unreal. I really used this influence on “It’s a Mystery.”

8. “The Shadowlands” – Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams is one of those dudes that I go back and forth on all the time, but Love Is Hell is a no-brainer to me. It’s a perfect singer-songwriter album. This track in particular has an amazing progression and uses a lot of tricks with fidelity and automation that I wanted to try and emulate. It’s also got my favorite guitar solo.

9. “One of These Things First” – Nick Drake

Anyone who knows me knows that Nick Drake is #1. This was the first song I ever heard of his, at 10-years-old. The only word I can use to describe it is magical. This song will probably be on every reference mixtape I ever make.

10. “I Wish I Wish” – Sam Amidon

My buddy and guitar player, Jacob McCarthy, showed me Sam Amidon a few years back, and he worked his way onto my playlists and turntable very quickly. He takes old traditionals, spirituals, and hymns — and sometimes R Kelly songs — and turns them into really somber folk-jazz arrangements. This song is an older folk standard that he turned into a soft jazz tune. I just love the way it feels.

Under is out tomorrow and will be available for purchase via Bandcamp. However, Aparo has graciously allowed us to stream the entire record in advance. Listen below.

Anthony Aparo will perform on Saturday, June 18 at Eddie’s Attic in support of Dwayne Shivers. Doors open at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $10.

More Info
Bandcamp: anthonyaparo.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @anthonythomasaparo
Instagram: @anthonyaparo
SoundCloud: @anthonyaparo