What do you listen to while you work? Depending on what I’m doing, I’ll either listen to nothing, to white noise, or to some music! When I’m writing, I find it really helpful to listen to white noise. There’s a great website called Simply Noise that plays several different “temperatures.” Otherwise, I’ll aurally stalk my friends on Spotify or play a record.

How do you listen? My white noise routine is all about focus, so those are on my eschuché headphones (a gift!). If I’m venturing outside my own brain, I’ll play on our not-particularly-audiophile-friendly speakers. I have a 25-foot 1/8-inch jack that snakes its way around the room to my laptop. Sort of unrefined.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? I love using Spotify, even though I’m a musician and should probably be boycotting it. It’s got almost everything I ever feel like hearing and it’s a great way to discover new stuff (especially if you try to avoid music blogs).

Does music influence your work? Well, it definitely influences my work in my band! Jesse (my boyfriend and bandmate) and I always play each other different songs that are capturing our attention at a given moment.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? Mostly from friends or from Jesse. I don’t have a lot of patience for most music blogs and they don’t necessarily cater to my tastes. I feel like the accuracy with which I can find something I like is always much higher if a friend tells me about a band… OR if I’m at a show for a band I already like, a lot of times the opening bands will be of a similar ilk.

What song or artist best represents the work you create? Again, probably my own. I’m also completely brain-obsessed with David Byrne. I keep thinking I’ll get tired of his tweaky antics, but I never do!

ZINZI’S PLAYLIST

The Electrician, Princeton

Organized Scenery, Au Revoir Simone

Mikelah, Superhumanoids

Open Rhythms, Bodies of Water

For You, Bruce Springsteen (I can’t help myself!)

When I Hear Music, Debbie Deb

Bad Street, Twin Sister

Temecula Sunrise, Dirty Projectors

It Never Entered My Mind, The Embassy

Never Understand, The Jesus and Mary Chain

Baby Can’t Stop, Lindstrøm and Christabelle

Flashlights, Mystery Claws

When Am I Going To Make A Living, Sade

The Great Curve, Talking Heads
Images: Zinzi Edmundson