[Guest DJ is a new recurring feature on Stranger Dance where we turn the tables and ask some of our favorite artists to make us a mixtape.]

For the inaugural edition of Guest DJ, we stayed close to home and went to one of our favorite local bands, The Harbours. Frontman Miguel Zelaya pulled together 12 great cuts that run from ’60s R&B to folk to Scottish teen pop.

Apparently this track was never released until the Norton label dug up all things ’60s garage rock in the Pacific Northwest a few years back. I bought it because of the funny band name and am still floored by the shear rock pulse these guys threw down.

Stunningly beautiful melody & words from the East Bay’s Frog King. God I wish I wrote this one. His last two albums are undeniable.

First heard this guy’s album while drunk in the Rite Spot. Turns out he’s made lots of records. This twisted tune from his latest freaks me out, but I can’t stop listening. Folky tweaky madness.

It’s hard to express how crazy this song makes me. Mid-’60s Detroit R&B regional star, this track makes me understand how original Rock n’ Roll must have caused peeps to loose their shit. I can’t help shake a leg when this comes on… SHAKE IT!

Some of the best shows I ever attended were GBV shows. I can honestly say “I was there then” and “you just had to be there” when it comes to this band. Endearing, drunk rock from song magician Bob Pollard & crew. Of the 40,000 + songs he’s written this one may not be his best, but it makes me laugh every time.

Elisabeth Powell, the singer-guitar player, is at least half a genius. Besides being all Broken Social Scene’d up, she’s got some something I just dig so much. This track is from their first EP. Listen to the drums on this one… Christ! And I hear she hates acoustic guitars… rad.

These guys get plenty of props & respect and all that, but there really should be a statue or something somewhere!?! This has always been a favorite of mine; strangely dark American pop with a horn section.

Scottish teen vocal duo from the ’60s. They sang back up for tons of bands of that era. This one kills me with those constant dual vocals and lyrics of crying and falling for the nerds over the cool guys.

Good wine drinking music. When I wanna feel adult and thoughtfully content I rock Midlake. I actually have never listened to just one song; always the full album. It’s quite an amazing work. Sounds like a sedated Thom York sitting in with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. This tune is awesome and has something to do with farming and love with a solo-ing guitar pretty much throughout the whole thing. Totally brilliant.

“Smoking I once quit, but now I’ve got one lit, I just fell back into it. Along with my pride lately I’ve let things slide.” Lyrical perfection set to continental balladry. Oh, and he also produced Elvis Costello’s first five albums.

They came and they went, sadly. I loved this band and their beefed up Kinks-esque perspective on things. I’m kicking myself for missing their Cafe du Nord show last year, but I think all the dudes in this band are in other bands. Listen how brutally the acoustic guitar is beaten throughout the tune.

Band from Belfast my good friend J. Heaney from Northern Ireland turned me onto, along with about two dozen other amazing bands we just don’t hear about in our foggy American town. I hear these guys are recording in LA at the moment. Great sound, great track.