As I walk to work each morning, especially as it gets colder and colder and I think of Nat in sunny California, I'm not always in the best of moods. I'm growing less and less fond of my job and the walk down the hill (it takes 15-20 mins; 10 if you're a fitter person) is where I listen to the things that make me able to get through the day. And it's not just music. The Dumbledore quote above is one I love though. And listening to music is one of the most immediate mood changing things you can do.
So, here is the stuff I listen to most:
One Night Stand In North Dakota - well, obviously! ONSIND are always always the band I go to first to be cheered up. Particularly "Suicide Is Painful" and "Heterosexuality Is A Construct" at the moment, at least. Often, I'll put them on shuffle and every song comes as a lovely surprise.
The Futureheads - after I saw them at Split Festival I've been really into them! I don't know why I wasn't years ago! I always meant to be.
The Casual Terrorist - because there is nothing like hearing the words "trying to fit in just so fucking boring" really really loud at 8.30am en route to your unfulfilling job! Also "Anarchists Make Better Lovers" is one of the best songs ever.
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - one of the best bands ever based on the first album. Still waiting for the elusive second one! DDIHC are fast and happy and meaningful. Wonderful. I'd love to see them live so much!
Pavement - always cheer me up, especially "Shady Lane" which I was obsessed with when I was growing up. I'd love to see them play live too!!
Daniel Versus The World - Daniel's beautiful songs are absolutely amazing. Can't wait for another CD to come out!
They Might Be Giants - are another childhood passion that has remained. My brother and I used to love dancing to "Birdhouse In Your Soul" when our parents had it on a record! Then years later, James and I had our big friendship defining moment listening to "Ana Ng". Pushing Daisies made me get into them again.
Weezer - another obsession from my younger days that has carried over. They've gone a bit strange now but still are one of my must see bands.
Then there are things I listen to occasionally that I wouldn't listen to all the time but every once in a while are really what I'm in the mood for:
Crash Test Dummies - are really brilliant. I love "Afternoons and Coffee Spoons" best.
Every so often I go through a The Shins phase and barely listen to anything else. They are so soundtrack-y; I feel like I'm in a cool art film rather than in my life listening to them.
There are obsessions that pop up from time to time. I listened to a lot of Lady Gaga recently - really energising and energised music. I'd love to see Gaga. There are more things too: Golden Virgins, Flaming Lips, Ben Folds, Chris T-T. But at the moment, it's mostly Futureheads.
Oh, unless I'm in a mad hurry in which case, it has to be something fast from the Glee soundtrack. "Safety Dance" can provide so much happiness in three minutes that I'm hyper the entire rest of the day.
Then there are the podcasts:
Dave Gorman is one of my favourites for feeling like you have company for the walk. I love Dave Gorman, Martin White and Danielle Ward and the three of them are so good together. I'd never re-listen to one though. However, Robin Ince and Josie Long's Utter Shambles is worth listening to again and again. They are meaningful, funny, have amazing guests. They're one of my favourite things in the entire world.
Richard Herring and Andrew Collins - I tend to listen to the Six Music podcast rather than their own as it's louder and more focussed. It's really funny.
As It Occurs To Me - is Richard Herring's stand up and sketch show with Emma Kennedy, Dan Tetsell and Christian Riley. I really enjoy it.
I like Seven Day Sunday too for the combined comedy of Andy Zaltzman, Chris Addison and Sarah Millican (all favourites).
If I'm not walking to work I might watch David Mitchell on the bus - short but funny video podcasts.
Then there are radio programmes that I can listen to again and again:
That Mitchell and Webb Sound - consistently brilliant!
Cowards - Bizarre and wonderful. Could listen to Tim Key all day long.
Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive - topical comedy after it was topical but still hilarious!
Toby Hadoke's Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf - I could write an entire entry just about Moths! One of the most wonderful hours of entertainment I've ever encountered. Moving and funny - and so so meaningful.
And then, I arrive at work - whatever happens now, I am ready. I have reminded myself this is not it - there is more. So so much more.
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