Sitting on an over-packed suitcase that refuses to shut (yes, I really did need five pairs of shoes) as I compile neurotic checklists, compulsively looking at ten day forecasts and somehow I am already missing Detroit: my beloved mother-ship. I'm hitting the road and heading west to camp in the Grand Canyon and some 27-year-old debauchery in Vegas as some ill planned rite of passage in honor of my birthday. I'm going it solo, but not without bringing a little bit of Detroit along for the ride to keep me company. Iggy Pop and The Stooges - "The Passenger"

My mom likes to boast that my first concert was Iggy Pop. She was seven months pregnant and claims that Iggy waved to her belly (that’s me, you guys)! This, to me, is the pivotal road trip song to end all road trip songs. As a Detroit legend and my personal savior of all things badass, it only seems appropriate to bring a little bit of Iggy with me to Sin City. Danny Brown - "Grown Up" Okay. So I’m already imagining me rolling out of the Hertz car rental in my 2015 Ford Focus with this song blasting. If you’re from Detroit, Danny Brown is a household name and using his lyrics as punctuation is the norm. "Growing Up" is (quite literally) fitting for this birthday adventure. Human Eye - "I Feel Mean" https://vimeo.com/89169009 Since moving to Detroit, nothing compares to the ferocity of seeing Detroit punk band Human Eye live. This song is ruthless, raw and unrelenting. “I Feel Mean” is unpredictable and messy in the way punk is messy, but with enough control to make it insanely catchy. Frontman Timmy Vulgar is an icon and is undoubtedly doing it right. I’m eager to let this song bounce against some desert rocks (as I think about smashing an ex boyfriend's window…or something). The Silent Years - "Someone to Keep Us Warm"

I was a ripe 18-19 when I was introduced to the Silent Years. I still lived with my parents but I latched onto seeing every Silent Years show I could. They were sincere and the songs had beautifully designed rising and falling, which suited my love of cathartic build ups and bands with lots of members. They were Detroit’s answer to Arcade Fire. This song was the first I heard of theirs and it still ignites something, which seems perfectly suited for my cold canyon nights ahead. 800beloved - "Go"

Okay. So I really love 800beloved. As a friend and fan, I couldn't think of a better song to chain smoke in my rental car to as the desert landscape bursts through my windows while talking to myself as both passenger and driver. While adding this to my playlist I am reminded of my long history with this song and the album "Bouquet." Seven years ago, I was still living at home and just had my heart broken. I was never one to do spontaneous things at that age and always favored the safe route. But then this album came along and challenged all of that. The song implies a listlessness and a burning desire to leave shit behind and that's exactly what I'm doing.

PLAYING DETROIT PLAYLISTDetroit On The Road