What do you listen to while you work?
Music is like nature. Seasons come and go, then come again. And then you have the rising of the moon and the setting of the sun. You have camping. You have beach walks. You have urban commutes. For everything in life, there is music. And for everything in music, there is life.

Because of the type of work we do, the music played during a normal workday is typically more meditative and relaxed. Last week, I think we started every morning with Debussy, and ended it with The Eraser by Thom Yorke (well, not too relaxed I guess); I don’t know why or how we get into these rhythms. This has not happened this week. This week it’s been Ryan Francesconi in the morning and Leonard Cohen to close us out. Also, Nils Frahm latest free project SCREWS has been very enjoyable.

How do you listen?
Music is our first priority as we approach a work day. There’s always good music coming out of good speakers (Tivoli Speakers hooked up to AirTunes). Then, if one needs to focus in on work or something that requires audio, they are encouraged to go under with a nice set of ear-goggles.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers?
We almost exclusively use Rdio. If we’re not using Rdio, it’s because we’re spinning a vinyl.

Does music influence your work?
It definitely does. I remember a time where we were listening to a lot of Sigur Rós, particularly their album Hvarf — think it came out in November, because I remember we were listening to it through the cold winter. Some time later while writing the script for a video for a Vimeo promo, the track “í Gœr” was largely influential in setting the tone for the video.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste?
Carissa: I think my dad was extremely influential. Music was such a huge part of our home growing up, listening and partaking… The only boy bands I ever listened to were more along the lines of The Band or The Traveling Wilburys. So my roots are there, in the 60s – 80s, and Andrew keeps me more up to date now.

Andrew: Since I was a kid, crying at the age of 4 because I was so moved by a James Newton Howard score, I’ve always had a rigor in finding music that complements the current chapter of life I’m in. Music inspires so much of life and life inspires so much music. They’re very connected. As far as actually finding new music, the Internet’s pretty great. But since we recently relocated to Portland, I’ve found the local record shops to be pretty helpful in broadening my soundscapes.

What song or artist best represents the work you create?
If Damien Jurado and Sigur Rós (their music from the beginning up until 2007) had a child, that child would compose the music for all our films… And probably be one of our best friends.

Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist:
The Eames Lounge Chair, with Walnut Veneer and Canyon Leather. Because what would you want to do in that chair but finish a workday the way that is best: with a record spinning, some wine, and a good relax.

Andrew + Carissa’s Playlist:
1. Come Softly (for Daniel D.), Grouper
2. Parallel Flights, Ryan Francesconi
3. Beacon Hill, Damien Jurado
4. All Waters, Perfume Genius
5. Song For Zula, Phosphorescent
6. Holiday, Jessie Baylin
7. Ivory Coast, Pure Bathing Culture
8. Spirit On The Water, Bob Dylan
9. Deep Water, Portishead
10. Story of Isaac, Leonard Cohen
11. Southern Heart, The Walkmen
12. Country Song, Jake Bugg

The Gallos welcome you to listen to their Playlist on Rdio.

Photos: Carissa Gallo