Last year Nate launched AEthermix I to resounding success -- everyone (n=20) prepared several copies of a mix CD and sent it right on time to Nate*. Nate sorted them into 20 outgoing packages, each one a fascinating cross-section of musical insight**. Last year's mixes introduced you to The Killers a year before everyone else, helped you finally make up your mind about Ween and the Pixies, and made clear that Gilliss has really interesting neighbors.

We're psyched to do it again this year, and anyone is welcome to enter. Whether or not you made one last year, whether or not you post to or read alkalineearth.com, you're invited to put your two bits in the jukebox and show the crowd what's banging in '05. Your mix can have any theme you want, or no theme at all... if you want to send in 22 different versions of 'Tico Tico' or some mp3s of that rap song you and your dorm's 7th floor crew recorded sophomore year, you're welcome to do so.

I've set up a repository for the AEthermixes so you can send it in electronically (contact me for the password). Colocated deep within Yucca Mountain and remotely mirrored to a storage area network located in a secure offshore bunker*, there is enough space for all of you to FTP your mixen; we'll sort and distribute the results**. If FTP is too confusing, you can also hand me or Nate a CD or flash drive containing your mix. Either way, pay some attention to the Never Asked Questions and the Necessary Technical Dorkiness.

* not true
** true