MIXTAPE: KATY PERRY

She wrote 65 songs for her debut album! But Ms. Perry is listening to...

Twenty three-year-old singer-songwriter Katy Perry has lent vocals to production dynamos The Matrix, worked with a flood of producers, including Dr. Luke (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson) and Butch Walker (the Donnas, Pink), and watched as her songs hit the big and small screens: “Simple” was on the soundtrack to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants;  “Self-Inflicted” was featured on The Hills. She’s also managed to find the time to open up for pals like Mika, Yellowcard, and the Starting Line, and star in the Gym Class Heroes video “Cupid’s Chokehold” while writing more than 65 songs for her album and countless more for other artists. Here, Perry graciously made us a mixtape of her favorite songs to hold us over until her debut album, One of the Boys, drops in June.

ROBYN "HANDLE ME
"This new record is amazing and the story of her own career rising from the ashes is inspiring. This song rings true with me, I have had boys in mah life that couldn't handle me! Listen to those lyrics!  myspace.com/robynmyspace

THE TING TINGS "SHUTUP AND LET ME GO"
I have been a big fan of this duo for a while and happen to catch their set at sxsw in the middle of the day and it was RAD. She don't give a FUCK. the-ting-tings-online.com

MADONNA "BEAT GOES ON"
Madge has been sending me love lately and I'd like to send it right back. I like the production on this song lots, it's fresh and reminds me of the MUSIC record she did... which I adored. myspace.com/madonna

COCONUT RECORDS "WEST COAST"
I like Jason Schwartzman as both an actor and as an under the radar musician. This song plays in my head every time I leave my lover. myspace.com/coconutrecords

GOLDFRAPP "A&E"
I never really paid attention to Goldfrapp cause I already had my Madonna and if I needed change I would do Kylie for a minute so I figured I had that covered... until I started watching Goldfrapp's music videos. They are AMAZING and weird and artistic and high fashion and beautiful. I just like the sound of this song while on the road in the middle of no where South Carolina... the trees kinda end up swaying to it. myspace.com/goldfrapp

YELLE "JE VEUX TE VOIR"
Dude, Yelle taught me how to speak french. Awesome. This song is ridick and she brought Techtonic dancing to the mainstream (frenchies) That's like Madonna bring Vogue-ing to the world. PLUS have you seen this video??!! Insanity. myspace.com/iloveyelle

LYKKE LI "LITTLE BIT"
Sweet song from a sweet little bird from Sweden. I Lykke. 
myspace.com/lykkeli

QUEEN "KILLER QUEEN" 
This song made me LOVE music. I remember my friend putting this song on and my world went into a slow motion cinematic Sophia Coppila's, Virgin Suicides moment. It was surreal. I finally heard the song that I thought was written for me... and it's a wonderful thing to hear a song and feel like it's yours. queenworld.com

MEIKO "HAWAII"
Meiko is a friend of mine and an up n' coming singer songwriter. We went to sundance one year with a group and the first time I met her was in a Jacuzzi. She's rad and this song makes me cry. myspace.com/meiko

SAM SPARRO "BLACK & GOLD"
He's new as well and this song is pure gold. Watch for him. 
myspace.com/samsparro



This story was published on May 19, 2008.