Janine Vangool publishes, edits, and designs UPPERCASE, a quarterly magazine “for the creative and curious,” from her studio in Calgary. Learn how music—and William Shatner—played a part in inspiring her career in this week’s Playlist. Read more
After you make a memorable, handpicked music mix for a friend or loved one, there are a few things you might feel. Glad. Sort of satisfied. Clever for the interesting playlist you thoughtfully compiled. Slightly cool for hipping someone to artists and songs they might not have already known. Happiness in sharing a little part of yourself.
But let’s face it: there’s always that “gah!” feeling—a moment when you realize that there was one more perfect song that you wish you had included. In that spirit, we gave a few past Playlisters the chance to add that one extra tune to the mixes they previously created for our column. Here’s what a few of them are choosing to include. (We think it makes a pretty great mix just in itself!) Read more
We always like to get a peek at music mixes from actual musicians, which is why we’re thrilled to present this week’s Playlist from Zinzi Edmundson, one-half of the Los Angeles-based duo Kisses and editor for FOAM Magazine. Listen up to what’s playing now in the home office she shares with boyfriend/bandmate Jesse Kivel and their dog (and office assistant) Ruby.
Here at Lifework, we’re big fans of the folks over at Apartment Therapy Unpluggd, so we were excited to get this latest Playlist from one of its contributors, tech, travel, and design writer Joelle Alcaidinho—especially since she considers herself a “renaissance lady of 2045 (you know, until the robots take over).” Listen up to this music mix from the NYC- and Sydney-based pen for hire, baker of fortune, and knitwear designer.
What do you listen to while you work? It depends on what I am doing. For editing images and researching, I usually listen to a friend’s playlist on Rdio or catch a history podcast (my favourite being the BBC History Magazine). While writing, I opt for music sans words and usually opt for Philip Glass or Wagner, depending on my mood.
How do you listen? Built-in computer speakers. Boring, I know. For the podcasts on my iPhone, I play them on an old clock radio connected via AirPlay. When using headphones, thanks to noisy neighbours and the bars below the apt, I use my Bowers & Wilkins P5. My turntable and records did not make the move years ago (I moved with a small suitcase) and are under the care and keeping of my youngest sister.
The first day of autumn may have been September 23, but for many of us, the first time you really start realizing that we’re indeed in the midst of a new season is when daylight saving time finally makes its appearance. Celebrate the fact that we’re all still adjusting to that one extra hour with this special-edition mix featuring tunes from some of our 2012 fall Playlisters.
1. Wasted Hours by Arcade Fire from The Playlist: Ben Lambers of Studio Aandacht
2. Autumn Leaves by Cannonball Adderly & Miles Davis from The Playlist: Stylist & Product/Interior Designer Sofie Brünner
3. Mambo Sun by T. Rex from The Playlist: Product Designer Jonah Takagi
Photo: Cara Robbins
I asked Alison Williams, who is the co-founder of The Academy of Archivists, to help me pin down exactly what she does. “I’ve been describing myself lately as a creative entrepreneur. I have my own company and I work with other companies, brands and artists to help develop their identities and get their work to the people who should see it, in whatever form that takes. I talk to people, think about things, observe, strategize, write, create. I feel lucky to have a job that I enjoy, working with amazing people.” And what role does music play in all that? Well, read on to find out.
What do you listen to while you work? When I’m writing I need music that is inspiring but not distracting, so I’ll listen to opera, or something without words. I love the soundtrack from Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amelie Poulain by Yann Tiersen. On the other hand when I am feeling daunted by a project or need to brainstorm I’ll either go to an album that I am entirely familiar with or something totally unknown. When I’m working with other people I am open to what they want to listen to.
Photo: Cara Robbins
What’s playing in the offices at Blik? Take a look (and a listen) at these new mixes from Scott Flora and Jerinne Neils, co-founders of the cutting-edge Venice, CA-based wall graphics company.
When he’s not spinning records or tinkering with and/or riding his bicycle around town, Midwesterner-turned-New-Yorker Jonathan Rahmani spends his time working as a Sr. Designer for HUGE in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Pop on your headphones for a little dose of what’s currently making up his work playlist.
What do you listen to while you work? Ever since my college-radio and party-throwing days, I’ve had a pretty strong taste for dance and electronic music. Techno, House, Disco, etc. are in my ears on the regular. I’m always looking for something I haven’t heard yet, so as a result, these genres are usually what are playing while I work. As much as I enjoy the details and thoughtfulness that live in quality dance music, I think most people can appreciate what a steady beat and rhythm can bring to working long days or nights.
This time last year, Miami-based British interior stylist Abby Kellett launched Gretel, an online boutique devoted to modern, effortlessly charming home accessories. Gretel had its first (and very successful) temporary store during Art Basel and Design Miami in 2009, and is now planning another pop-up this December—location TBD. (Abby, may we suggest lovely New York City? We hear it’s BEAUTIFUL around the holidays.) Take a glance at how music inspires her workday.
What do you listen to while you work? Music that lifts my mood and keeps me energized….between Gretel and my two-year-old daughter Beatrice, I don’t get as much sleep as I used to! I have to admit that my taste in music isn’t sophisticated or deep. I just like what I like and it’s often sung by someone who’s (at least) ten years younger than me.
How do you listen? On my iPhone, on my computer, or via satellite radio in my car.
Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? One main influence is British radio, which I listen to a lot on my computer and in my car (on satellite radio). It’s just a really good way to keep connected and feel at home here in Miami. BBC Radio 1and 6 Music play a great selection and variety of music. Friends and travels are also an influence of course; I’ve been listening to Brazilian music ever since a trip there several years ago.
If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be? I think the light-hearted music that I listen to says a lot about me and Gretel. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and really hope that people just enjoy what they see on our website. We keep Gretel’s ever-changing selection of products as fresh as possible and unveil new “windows’” each season. So maybe we’re the Madonna-wannabe of the design-world. Except that my British accent is real and we’re not planning on being controversial any time soon.
ABBY’S PLAYLIST
Forget You, Cee Lo Green
Dynamite, Taio Cruz
Bulletproof, La Roux
Beija Eu, Marisa Monte
Hung Up, Madonna
Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters
Let The Sun Shine, Labrinth
Fireflies, Owl City
Love The Way You Lie, Eminem and Rihanna
Islands, The xx
Photos: Claudia Uribe Touri
Want a bit of color? Check out these pick-me-up playlists from Alicia and Tony of Boston-based Chroma Lab, a bright little company providing specialty, hand-painted finishes for interiors, furniture, and more.
What do you listen to while you work? In general, Tony and I listen to different kinds of music while working. Tony likes indie and classic rock/pop, and I like pretty much anything from the 60s (especially girl groups), and upbeat stuff I can sing along and bounce to. There’s some middle ground, fortunately, and it’s called Talking Heads! We usually take turns listening to albums when we work together, since marriage–and a business partnership–is a compromise.
How do you listen? In the studio, we put the iPod through the tiny second hand stereo (our studio gets really messy and paint splattered), and on job sites we listen to the iPod through headphones so we don’t disturb our clients. We listen to NPR on the radio, too.
Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? Tony uses eMusic, and we both find Newbury Comics a reliable place to get good used cds. We both like all the college radio stations Boston has to offer, especially MIT’s station.
Does music influence your work? Not really, to be honest. Our inspiration usually comes from color and other visual cues. Music helps us to create a nice atmosphere while we work though, and we appreciate that.
Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? We occasionally find new music though friends, college radio, and eMusic. But most of the music we listen to we’ve been into for a long time. We’re both pretty settled in our musical ways and neither of us can stay up late enough to go to concerts and shows anymore to discover new things!
If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be? We’d never claim that our work is as awesome as the groups we listen to. But in terms of the mood or feeling it creates, perhaps Cambridge-based Passion Pit. Their music is super vibrant and colorful, and we like to think our work is similarly fun to live with.
TONY’S PLAYLIST
Month of May, Arcade Fire
Taxman, The Beatles
Mr. Dash Dash, Detachment Kit
The Swish, The Hold Steady
Tragic Monsters, Les Savy Fav
Jellybones, The Unicorns
ALICIA’S PLAYLIST
I’m Waiting for the Day, The Beach Boys
If You Find Yourself Caught in Love, Belle & Sebastian
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody), Talking Heads
Sleepyhead, Passion Pit
Young Bride, Midlake
Needle in a Haystack, The Velvelettes
