Mix It Up

Bobby DuSoul has certain goals in mind when he makes a mix tape. Or, more specifically, a make-out mix tape.

“You understand the scenario, right?” He asks. “You’re sitting at the bar, drinking Jack and talking, and then you leave the bar and maybe you end up in the same car. You’ve got a little space you’ve got to fill.” We quickly imagine the songs that might really jack things up at this crucial, awkward moment — especially if any premeditation was evident.

“I Want Your Sex,” for example, would elicit a cackle sure to ruin anyone’s confidence. “Beast of Burden” is another big no-no — too desperate, too whiny (sorry, Stones lovers, but you really should find another song with which to woo; you shouldn’t need anyone to tell you that yes, you are rough enough and tough enough). “I Will Always Love You”? As big a turn-off as too much perfume.

Now, the importance of this mix tape is clear — it could be a deal maker or a deal breaker. And not everyone is looking to create the same effect.

“I want something that tells the subject I’m a sensitive, caring kind of guy, and you can relax around me” Mr. DuSoul says. “But that’s just me. It’s also probably a total load of crap, but whatever works.”

Whatever works, indeed. Sensitive and caring might be persuasive if you’re looking for long-term compatibility, but if you pulled the old going-out-alone-on-Valentine’s-Day maneuver in hopes of scoring with another member of the lonely hearts club, you probably want to stick with something purely — but not obviously — seductive. We recommend subtlety, so that your subject might believe this is just what you listen to when you drive. Nobody wants to be a mere fly, cleverly caught in a musical web. Then again, if you’re the taking-advantage type, go with something sad and find someone fresh out of a relationship. You can bond over the cruelty of love. Strange how that works, isn’t it?

That’s where the judging panel comes into play at Chez Charlie’s Make-Out Mix Tape Contest, put on by bartender DuSoul in honor of Cupid’s silly little mischief-making heyday. After winning the approval of a handful of judges, each of whom theoretically has different taste, the champion mix tape should be considered foolproof. Mix-tape makers submitted their works of art to the make-out board last week, and the judging is still in progress. But tapes can still be submitted on Valentine’s Day at Chez Charlie, where all will be played and a winner announced.

The contest was inspired by a friend of DuSoul, who believes that contained inside his iPod is the ultimate collection of making-out music, which might come in handy should any promising situations arise. DuSoul questions that. “Everybody’s a big talker,” he says. “But when it comes to puttin’ out … ”

Is there an ulterior motive? Sure. DuSoul’s own iPod could use a few additions, and he and a few other judges might happen to upload some of the more compelling songs onto their own musical pant-stuffers.

Happy Valentine’s Day. May the most rhythmic make-out master win.