Labeled fans are still waiting for the Jonezetta story. Several parts have been teased in previous episodes, about how they were one of two general-market bands signed to Tooth & Nail (The Classic Crime being the other). The band’s sound drastically changed between their first and second record, Cruel to Be Young. But today rather than digging into Jonezetta’s story, we’re going to explore the career of Cruel‘s producer, Aaron Sprinkle, as Cruel to Be Young has become a cult classic and an essential piece in the legendary producer’s catalogue. Using just tracks that I’ve written about over the year+ I’ve been blogging, I made a playlist celebrating Aaron Sprinkle’s career.
1. “Sick in the Teeth” by Jonezetta is today’s song of the day. Featuring legendary Pedro the Lion frontman David Bazan with whom Sprinkle had worked with before co-writing Pedro’s 2002 album Control, “Sick in the Teeth” was probably intended as an indie passing of the torch. Unfortunately, the torch extinguished quickly after this album’s release. “Sick in the Teeth” is a wistful memory of what could have been.
7. “Someday” by Aaron Sprinkle ft. Matty Mullins. For Sprinkle’s last record with Tooth & Nail, Real Life, he assembled a dream team of fellow musicians and made a late ’80s/early ’90s vibey album. For this track Sprinkle sings with lead singer of hard rock band Memphis May Fire who had recently crossed over into Christian Rock. 
9. “Broken Heart” by Falling Up. Crashings is an underrated album in Sprinkle’s catalogue. In fact, I’ve never heard anything about the production. When I was growing up, it always made me think what if Linkin Park was a boyband?
11. “Sun” (Acoustic) by Mae. Aaron Sprinkle has only worked with Mae on one project, the B-sides to their acclaimed debut album Destination: Beautiful.
Mixtapemotions 