The Playlist: Writer David Hochman
Freelance writer, author, and editor David Hochman writes about entertainment, cultural trends, technology, and more for the likes of The New York Times, Esquire, Forbes, Details, The Huffington Post, and Food + Wine. A former senior staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, he also published his first children’s book, The Potty Train, in 2008. Just before creating our first album-only playlist (he always has the same few compilations on repeat during work hours), David spoke to us about the magic of the Shazam application, getting music tips from the people he interviews, and learning to play the mandolin as an adult.
What do you listen to while you work? For years, I’ve listened to the same few jazz albums over and over at work. These particular time-tested selections inspire and focus me because they don’t have lyrics, they’re smooth as silk, and they have just the right energy to stir clear, creative productive work.
How do you listen? Though the little white Apple headphones on my trusty black MacBook, via iTunes.
Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? Shazam, which identifies almost any song when you hold up your cell phone, is a true miracle of our age. So is Pandora. I’m a big fan of Hear Music’s bricks-and-mortar locations and also like the Genius Recommendations on iTunes.
Does music influence your work? Yes. I learned to play the mandolin as an adult and got a deep appreciation for acoustic American hillbilly music along the way. Click here for the essay I wrote on the subject for Reader’s Digest.
Where do you find music recommendations? My brother has an ear for the obscure and the funky. My friend Larry opens my eyes to African soul. I often ask people I interview—including musicians—what their go-to iPod tunes are.
What song or artist best represents the work you create? Perhaps Louis Armstrong. He played the spectrum from silly pop to complicated jazz to deep blues. That’s roughly the territory I cover as a writer.
DAVID’S PLAYLIST:
Bye Bye Blues
Someday My Prince Will Come
Take the “A” Train
Blues for Jazz Beaux
Walkin’ Uptown
Honeysuckle Rose
Mostly Blues
Limehouse Blues
Gone With the Wind
Ray Charles – Blues + Jazz, Disc 2
The Man I Love
Music, Music, Music
I Surrender Dear
Hornful Soul
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Doodlin’
Sweet Sixteen Bars
Undecided
Rockhouse, Parts 1 & 2
X-Ray Blues
Love On My Mind
Fathead
Bill for Bennie
Hard Times
Willow Weep For Me
The Spirit-Feel
Stephane Grappelli – The Compact Jazz Collection
Djangology
I’m Coming Virginia
Misty
Shine
Blues for Django and Stephane
Chicago
Makin’ Whoopee
Hot Lips
Minor Swing
This Can’t Be Love
Star Eyes
It Don’t Mean a Thing
Oriental Shuffle
My Heart Stood Still
Afternoon in Paris
Images: David Hochman