Fall is a time of both nostalgia and renewal. It’s also a time of many marathons – and with these two themes on the horizon we thought the time was right for a fresh playlist, yes?

We’re clearly not the only ones reflecting because the new music out right now is something of a mid-2000’s renaissance. The Killers, Bloc Party, Young Jeezy, Stars…all we need now is for The Postal Service to come out with some fresh tracks and the revival will be complete (while we’re thinking of it, that’s not such a bad idea, Ben Gibbard *cough cough*). The best part is that along with all of these old faves, the trend in new music has a suspiciously 90’s feel. I think it’s time for me to rescue my Sophie B. Hawkins t-shirt because I smell a movement.

run into fall marathon playlist

1/ grimes - genesis
Warning: this song is kind of weird but in the BEST way. Originally from Vancouver, Grimes went to university in Montreal, enrolled in some Russian Literature classes (honestly, I can’t make this stuff up) and discovered along the way that she’s a musical wunderkind. Take that, Crime & Punishment!

2/ the killers – flesh and bone (jacques lu cont remix)
Brandon Flowers and the boys are back with yet another album filled with soaring rock anthems. They’re touring this fall through North America…go see them if you get a chance. It’s worth it.

3/ air traffic controller – you know me
The best new female voice in indie music since Jade Castrinos came bursting into the mainstream singing “home is where I’m with you” for Edward Sharpe (and 100,000,000 YouTubers). This group is going to get up to big things, mark my words.

4/ pretty lights – hot like sauce
Samples from every genre of music are layered over a sweet beat to create a curiously enjoyable sound (Pretty Lights kind of remind me of some of the old trip-hop groups from the 90’s). This song is perfect for grinding out a long hill in the middle of your race.

5/ moon boots – got somebody
This is one of those songs that doesn’t seem monumental when you first hear it…and yet it gets under your skin and makes your iTunes “Top 25” list out of NOWHERE. Have I mentioned the 90’s are back?

6/ calvin harris – sweet nothing featuring florence welch
The reigning king of electro collaborates with everyone’s favourite ethereal rock star, Florence Welch. This track kind of feels familiar but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing; filled with soaring vocals, sweet beats and bass drops, “Sweet Nothing” is perfect for finding an extra gear just when you need it.

7/ miguel – kaleidoscope dream
“Sure Thing” was the come-out-of-nowhere surprise hit of 2011. Miguel has gone back, studied his dad’s Isley Brothers records and made a really badass new album. Jump on it.

8/ stars – hold on when you get love and let go when you give it
Canadian duo Stars are back after a hiatus and they sound just as sweet (and a wee bit less emo) as before. Put this puppy on when you seen the finish line – your heart will rise right out of your chest.

9/ muse – madness
I’m not sure if I’m excited about the new Muse album or if they’ve jumped the proverbial leap into self-indulgent prog-rock territory (and not in the awesome Meatloaf way). That being said, just because it’s not “Stockholm Syndrome” doesn’t mean that it sounds like Savage Garden (or does it?!) I’ll let you be the judge.

Getting race ready for the half-marathon in SanFran this weekend? Check out our Grant Ave store event, A Night in Neon, to celebrate all those kms you've clocked.

With just two weeks left to the SeaWheeze and our hardest training run out of the way (congrats btw), it’s time to focus on the fun stuff… like getting together the ultimate race playlist. Here’s a list of 13.1 "take-my-aching-body-over-the-finish-line” songs curated by the folks who know running best, you guys!

13.1 songs for 13.1 miles

1. Dog Days Are Over – Florence and The Machine
2. So Close – Calvin Harris
3. My Body – Young the Giant
4. Run The World – Beyonce
5. Black Betty – Ram Jam
6. Midnight city – M83
7. Work Hard Play Hard – Wiz Khalifa
8. Promises – Skrillex
9. Let it Go – Dragonette
10. Let it Roll – Flo Rida
11. Run This Town – Jay Z Ft. Rihanna
12. Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga
13. Bombs Over Baghdad – Outkast
13.1 Run Forrest Run Remix …Seriously? Who comes up with this stuff!

True story - 13.1 songs will not be enough to get ya through 13.1 miles. Fear not, we’ve purposely built in time for you to unplug and take in the full SeaWheeze experience. We're with Aerosmith on this one... you won't want to miss a thing!

workout playlist - may 2010

Is your workout playlist stuck on repeat? Here are some old & new tracks to get your headphones (and body) jumping.

BULLETPROOF – LA ROUX
Super-fun summer pop perfect for, like, team workouts and getting-ready parties and stuff!

LITTLE LION MAN – MUMFORD AND SONS
The vocals are so warm and the lyrics so familiar-feeling on this track, you’ll swear you’ve heard it before. It IS new – but will be an old favourite in no time.

ZERO – YEAH YEAH YEAHS
Karen O is the coolest lady on the planet by a country mile. This song is solid proof.

MEMORIES – DAVID GUETTA FEATURING KID CUDI
It’s time to jump on the Guetta bandwagon – why not throw in some Kid Cudi for good measure?!

ONLY – NINE INCH NAILS
Five years later & I’m still upset that Trent Reznor cut his hair, but no matter: this is one heck of a diss track – Reznor makes getting dumped good enough to dance to! The worship continues…

B.O.B. (BOMBS OVER BAGDHAD) – OUTKAST
When people argue that electronica is the only music high-octane enough for cardio, I bring up this little ditty. Point – Lex!

PARIS IS BURNING (CUT COPY REMIX) – LADYHAWKE
Cut Copy + Ladyhawke = your new favourite song. It’s science!

STOP ME – MARK RONSON FEATURING DANIEL MERRIWEATHER
You know when you pull up to a red light and bust the guy next to you singing at the top of his lungs? It’s probably this song – it might have the catchiest chorus ever.

LISTEN UP (MSTRKRFT REMIX) – THE GOSSIP
Beth Ditto gives you some useful advice over a wicked beat. Where was this song when I needed it in high school? I could’ve used the wise words from Beth AND the street cred from MSTRKRFT. Sigh.

LET THE BEAT BUILD – LIL WAYNE
Do you have a set of intervals that hurt so good? Let Lil Wayne burn with you – this song will mimic the pain and the satisfaction at the finish.

ROAM – THE B-52’S
“Love Shack” gets all the credit – meanwhile, this hilarious track languishes on long-forgotten tape mixes. Put this on when you’re driving to the gym on “I don’t feel like working out” mornings – you’ll be ready to rock by the time you park.

TENNESSEE – ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Another feel-good track to lift your spirits – and we can never have enough of those, can we? We can also never have enough rhetorical questions, can we? Hmmm. Think about it and get back to me.

BANQUET (PHONES DISCO EDIT) – BLOC PARTY
“Silent Alarm” was one of the best albums of 2005 – and then Bloc Party went one step further and remixed it, causing a million hipsters to lose their collective minds. Listen to this and you’ll see why.

SKELETON BOY – FRIENDLY FIRES
One of the most unusual beats in years – you’ll spend so much time trying to figure out if this is 4/4 or 6/8 time that your run will be over before you have an answer. Running and partying at the same time – what a concept!

SHOOTING STARS (PARTY ROCK REMIX) – BAG RAIDERS
If Cut Copy and Massive Attack had a baby, it would be the Bag Raiders. Check out the remix version of the wicked “Shooting Stars” for added oomph.

MOMENT OF TRUTH – GANG STARR
Put this on during an introspective run and let Guru spit some truth at you. One of the most underrated MC’s ever.

STRANGE OVERTONES – DAVID BYRNE AND BRIAN ENO
The men behind Talking Heads reunited for an album last year, and contrary to must reunion acts, it kicked a$$ instead of sucking. This song is a thin slice of heaven.

Do you have any suggestions for the next playlist? Leave Alexis a comment below.

Is your workout playlist stuck on repeat? Here's a spring workout playlist filled with old and new tracks to get your headphones (and body!) jumping.

11TH DIMENSION – JULIAN CASABLANCAS
Bummed that The Strokes are on hiatus? Me too...until I heard this album. 1/3 prog rock + 1/3 electro + 1/3 indie = a party in your ears...wooOOOoooOOoo!

LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES – WILSON PICKETT
The #1 track that makes your Uncle Barry do the twist at family weddings.

THE SEED 2.0 – THE ROOTS FEATURING CODY CHESNUTT
Hot lyrics, a wicked bass line and Cody ChesnuTT’s soulful voice still make this song a booty shaker five years later.

GOOD VIBRATIONS – MARKY MARK
A definitive 90’s track from Mr. Six Pack himself to remind you that crop tops are back “in.” Now where did I put that ab roller?

I LOVE THE BLOODY BEETROOTS – RADIO EDIT – THE BLOODY BEETROOTS
Stuck in a workout rut? Put this song on and watch your heart raise 10 beats per minute. Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re in a German festival tent – can you say gute zeiten?!?

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND – JAY-Z & ALICIA KEYS
Working towards a big goal? Imagine running the NYC Marathon and hearing this as you cross the Brooklyn Bridge....instant goosebumps.

WOMAN (MSTRKRFT REMIX) – WOLFMOTHER
www.bada$$.com, plain and simple. Take it from someone who knows: guitar slides hurt on pavement.

I WANNA LIFE – GOLDFRAPP
Try to not to overhand clap while you’re running….it’s harder than it sounds.

TENDERNESS – GENERAL PUBLIC
Quite possibly the most fun music from the 80’s never on a John Hughes soundtrack.

I’M NOT GOING TO TEACH YOUR BOYFRIEND HOW TO DANCE WITH YOU (THE TWELVES REMIX) – THE BLACK KIDS
This song will get stuck in your head for days. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

SANS SOLEIL – MIIKE SNOW
This Swedish duo make tunes perfect for cooling down post-workout - put this on & feel some bliss come your way.

GIVE IT TO ME BABY – RICK JAMES
I’m fresh out of excuses for this. Whatever – just give it to me? (Sorry, that was bad even for me).

PARANOID – KANYE WEST FEATURING KID CUDI
Okay, so he storms awards show stages and abuses the CAP lock key on his computer. This song is good. Like really, really, REALLY good.

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE (NAIVE MELODY) – TALKING HEADS
Talking Heads make some of the happiest music on the planet. Play on your bike ride home from yoga to extend the serenity all day long.

IF I KNOW YOU – THE PRESETS
A pulsing beat and otherworldly vocals (you may feel like an extra in Blade Runner) will make this a favourite. If you ever get the chance to see The Presets live, make it happen – they’re goooood.

HOT BLOODED – FOREIGNER
If you’ve got a problem with this song, you’ve got a problem with yourself.

EVENFLOW – PEARL JAM
Have you seen how much Eddie Vedder sweats in concert?

BLIND (FRANKIE KNUCKLES REMIX) – HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR

May this song come with a disclaimer: just because you like music from Ibiza doesn’t mean you should wear white linen pants 24/7.

What tunes make you sweat 110%?

View some running gear:

• Run: Swiftly Racerback
• Run: Willpower Pullover
• Run: Ambition Crop