Balance, Technology November 23, 2011

The Playlist: Freelance Writer Joelle Alcaidinho

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.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? Almost all of my podcasts are downloaded in iTunes (which is also the home of my music collection) and for new music listening/streaming, I usually opt for Rdio because of the great playlists my new music-savvy friends have created. Spotify is also great for scratching an itch to hear something that I don’t own.

Does music influence your work? Music influences my knitwear design and photography; it helps boring tasks like editing the white balance in hundreds of photos be much less tedious. One of the knit hats in my collection (the little burrow on Etsy) was strongly influenced by a Bon Iver album. When it comes to photographing tech, I find my generally very soft, warm, folkish playlists to be helpful in keeping the technology human-focused. It’s not all about specs all of the time, and the music reminds me that it’s important to capture the experience of using the product.

Who influences your musical taste? Friends. I am primarily introduced to new music via my friend Kory Westerhold. He makes fantastic playlists and it’s been awesome to see him adapt them for new mediums and sites as they come along. Right now he’s making playlists on Rdio. I am also influenced by the music curation of NPR and love listening to “All Songs Considered” on long subway rides.

What song or artist best represents the work you create? Goodness, this is a challenging question; any answer I provide will make me look like I have a very large idea of my own greatness! Since I don’t want to be that person that has a non-answer answer, I’d say Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine. When I hear her music I think of a strong lady with robot friends and a deep sense of history and tradition. This works because I do like to think of myself and my work as coming from a place of technology curiosity, robot friendliness, and history love.