In paperback and e-book.

A heartfelt celebration of 1980s “alternative” music and the lost art of making a 90-minute mixtape, “Our Mixtapes, Ourselves – The Happy-Sad Story and Soundtrack of Generation X” playfully and poignantly explores why new wave, punk and post-punk music mattered so much to millions of Gen X teens back then — and why it matters even more to them 40+ years later. Part memoir, part cultural analysis, and part group therapy session, it’s a playlist-packed collection of essays and expert interviews that will make you want to break out your old English Beat and Elvis Costello records, dance the pogo in your kitchen, and hug your loved ones dearly – before it’s too late.

“A funny, earnest, and knowledgeable musical remembrance.  Grady excels at conveying his passion for the art form—encompassing the tactile experience of it and the sense of connection it fosters with others.”
– Kirkus Reviews

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About the author

David Grady writes with humor and insight about the surprising ways technology shapes our lives. His 2014 “TED Talk of the Day”—viewed more than 3.5 million times and translated into 37 languages—has inspired audiences worldwide. He has been featured on the popular “Something You Should Know” podcast, was a contributing reporter for The Boston Globe, and speaks regularly at industry conferences across the world. A college radio DJ during the rise of 1980s alternative music, he now explores the intersection of nostalgia and futurism at davidgrady.blog and thosesongs.blog. 

Advanced praise

“With warmth and wit, Grady turns nostalgia into revelation, proving that while reminiscing is easy, truly unraveling how the past shapes our emotional present takes honest introspection (and some really good 80s music playing in the background).”

– Bob Levy, Executive Producer, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars.

“This book…gives off major ‘Goldbergs’ vibes! To quote the author, ‘music, memory and emotion are the ultimate three-piece band.’”
– Reedsy.com reviewer