Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce that for the first time in Nerdist history, we are premiering a series of exclusive mixes from our favorite musicians in a recurring feature we are calling Car Tunes and Cartoons. We have asked some very talented artists to provide us with playlists comprised of their own songs, as well as tracks by their favorite musicians–anything that sounds good when you are driving with the windows down on a light-traffic kind of day. As always, however, we’ve added a little Nerdist flair: We have asked that every artist include some kind of illustration to accompany their mixes for, you know, like a more holistic experience, maaaaan. You can expect to see Car Tunes and Cartoons every few weeks, all summer long. Let’s get to it!

For our inaugural installment of Car Tunes and Cartoons, I would like to introduce you guys to Hausu Mountain, a Chicago-based noise label founded by Doug Kaplan and Max Allison. These dudes are avid purveyors of experimental noise/Kraut Rock/drone/general radness, as well as huge proponents of physical releases. Aptly, you’ll find that their mix delves into a lot of dense textures that interface with sound in decidedly concrete and tangible way. If you are into their vibe, definitely head to the Hausu Mountain site and order yourself a tape or vinyl.

Setting the bar SUPER high with this illustration, Max reimagined a classic shot from Alejandro Jodorowsky’s film Holy Mountain with the two label founders cast as “ritual maidens” to the hot dog deity in the center. This is no ordinary hot dog though–this is the adjusted logo of a beloved but soon-to-shutter encased meat restaurant in Chicago called Hot Doug’s, which serves everything from Chicago-style hot dogs to venison dogs and rattlesnake sausages. It is extremely eclectic, unfathomably delicious, and will be sorely missed by Chicagoans. But what better way to commemorate an important midwestern institution than to make its sigil a pastiche of Captain Beefheart’s classic Trout Mask Replica and jam super hard to some awesome music?

Let us know what you think about our first edition of Car Tunes and Cartoons in the comments below, and hit us up on twitter @NerdistMusic. Keep your eyes peeled for our second installment later this month! Peace, love, and encased meat forever.