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This is the first mixtape from my Love Actually series.

Their Story: Listen as I introduce you to two lonely characters in Brooklyn, New York. Joanna is a waitress who enjoys spending her free time people-watching in Tom’s Diner. Christopher is a struggling painter living alone in his eighteenth-floor apartment. Neither of them have been in a relationship, but have always wanted to find their other half. Every day, he would watch her walk down the street, not knowing that she lives just one floor below him. They finally meet, have a few drinks, listen to their favorite vinyls, and then spend several years together. However, as time goes on, Christopher becomes an alcoholic and starts to neglect Joanna; he even cheats on her with another woman. During that summer, Joanna decides to pack her things and leave him. Months after the breakup, they both realize that they still love each other despite everything that has happened. Finally, Christopher quits his constant drinking and promiscuity so that they can get back together, hoping to make amends.

The lyrics for each song within this mix personifies one of our characters, sometimes even both. It was very emotional for me to stitch a few of these songs together, because I honestly felt like I personally knew Joanna and Christopher. I felt like a fly on the wall throughout their entire relationship. At first, you’ll want their love to last forever. Then, you’ll want Joanna to build up strength to leave Christopher and their ruined relationship behind. In the end, you’ll want things to work out for them, because they’re really meant for each other. But, it’s up to your imagination if you want their story to go beyond that.

Track List— 
[01] Joanna, The People-Watcher: Suzanne Vega / Tom’s Diner
[02] Christopher, The Lonely Painter: Dustin O’Halloran / Opus 20
[03] How They First Met: SNOWMINE / Hologram
[04] I Wanna Talk To You So Bad: One For The Team / I Got Tamed
[05] Their First Date: The Raveonettes / Hallucinations
[06] Listening To His Vinyl Collection: Ghost and Tape / Onesome
[07] Slow Dancing: Billie Holiday / Everything I Have Is Yours
[08] Making Love: Sigur Rós / Andvari
[09] Waking Up Together: Savery & The Banjo Consorsium / Until Morning
[10] As The Seasons Pass: Milosh / You Make Me Feel
[11] Never Let Me Go: Explosions In The Sky / Your Hand In Mine
[12] Come Back Home: Rachel Yamagata / Duet
[13] Complications: I Break Horses / No Way Outro
[14] It’s All For You: Lana Del Rey / Video Games
[15] I Begged You Not To Go: Cat’s Eyes / I Knew It Was Over
[16] The Breakup: Joanna Newsom / Does Not Suffice
[17] Days Spent Without Each Other: Goldmund / Threnody
[18] Joanna Still Loves Him: Yo La Tengo / Shadows
[19] Christopher Still Loves Her: James Blake / A Case Of You
[20] Together Again: Jónsi / Hengilas

Click here to listen to my previous mixtapes. The above illustration was taken from Craig Thompson’s graphic novel Blankets. After listening, please leave me a comment letting me know what you thought of Joanna and Christopher’s mixtape. I would love to hear from you! <3

**I’ll be posting my next mixtape entitled “Jenny and Regina” on January 16, 2012.**