Over the past twelve months I, like lots of you, have been able to make music a much more important part of my working day. Inbetween Zoom calls the stereo is on in my front room/office and I’ve evolved a listening pattern that helps me focus while also keeping me musically interested. Absolutely no ‘Working Acoustic Mellow Piano Focus’ playlists from Spotify.
The first thing on is always classical. After working through Tom Service’s 50 Symphonies list, and after complete Mahler and Sibelius symphony cycles it’s now a lot of Bach Sonatas and Partitas.
Then it’s jazz – Count Basie, EST, Ellington, Shorter – instrumental and nothing too way out there (or ‘Squonk’ as we say in our house)
After that I’m ready for something a bit more ‘focus’ – so longform electronica such as Underworld, Thievery Corporation is often the last thing before lunch.
In the afternoon I’m ready for vocals so it might be a bit of Specials, Surfjan Stevens or Stars (am on the ‘S’ artists at the moment).
Then as energy and focus wane I’m prepared to trade slight distraction for energy, Thin Lizzy, Sonic Youth, Weller or some Crazy Horse can help me eke out another few emails at the end of the day.
So how does it work for you? fascinated to hear what gets you through those word documents, excel spreadsheets, outlook inboxes…. or their mac equivalents.
Also Sigur Ros in the morning ‘electronica focus’ slot though they’re not strictly that…
Mostly Radio 4, but I don’t get on with the new Woman’s Hour presenter.
Music-based radio shows on catchup presented by many AWers – Biggles’ Songs from Under the Floorboards and Musica Mundi , Mini’s Car Boot Vinyl Diaries, WholeHogg’s Charity Shop Classics and the montly We Buy Records takeover. Various friends shows on Cambridge 105.
I struggle with vocals and thinking. Well, I struggle with thinking…
A bloke I went to school with is on Cambridge 105. He was Alan Partridge before Alan Partridge.
Some of the evening shows are fantastic, knowledgeable enthusiast presenters. Some of the daytime shows even North Norfolk Digital would think twice about.
Radio 3 all morning, CDs in the afternoon. Or streaming; I bought a new Denon midi-system a couple of months ago which has bluetooth and streaming in the living room where I work is a new experience. I have to have something or my tinnitus gets distracting, but at the same time I don’t want anything too intrusive.
Very sorry that you have Tinnitus.
I woke up about a month ago with a high pitched noise in the right side of my head which will not go away and which has been diagnosed as Tinnitus.
I find it very distressing and am having difficulty coping with it. I will be ordering some type of masking device to help with it, and thank goodness I can still listen to music which helps enormously.
I would be interested to hear from a fellow sufferer about their experiences and how they cope with tinnitus on an ongoing day to day basis.
I’ve had mine for about 15 years and I know there are fellow sufferers on here. A Google search for the words Afterword tinnitus returns some threads we’ve done on the subject.
Sadly the key is learning ways to live with it as unless it goes away if it’s own accord (and yours is recent enough that it still might) then there isn’t much you can do to ameliorate it. There’s reading and advice at the British Tinnitus Association website which you might find useful. Good luck!
https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/
Sorry it’s bad Gatz. I have a constant whistle on my right ear which I just try to ignore.
I’ve had very mild tinnitus since 2003 which is when I lost the majority of the hearing in my right ear, after a particularly painful and nasty infection. What remains of the hearing on my right sounds as if it is underwater, so a hearing aid doesn’t really help as it just amplifies that distortion. The tinnitus is very mild but is definitely worse when I’m really tired or under stress. It sounds like sweet wrappers being rustled. It’s never quite reached the completely infuriating stage yet but I really hope it doesn’t get worse.
On a day to day basis, the hearing affected my ability to do my work quite a lot but I had a slight change of responsibilities which really helped. I can still listen to recorded music and get just as much enjoyment as in younger days but I am a lot more discerning with gigs in recent years and always tend to carry earplugs just in case as I can’t risk making it worse.
For me my music listening has dropped off signicantly since working from home. I used to have 45 minutes commute each way which was enough to digest any new tracks, or play an LP’s worth of songs at least. I find I can’t really listen and work at the same time.
The new Bluesound Pulse has made me want to listen more due to how much of an upgrade in quality it is from the last thing, so I am in the market for some classical. Where do you “source” your classical stuff, @moseleymoles ?
This year I have mostly been listening to the albums from the 2020 AW poll and when I pull my finger out, i will write a post about my favourite 10 one-hit wonders from you all. Right now, I am listening to a trove of CDs from 2009-2010 that somebody left outside their house (zum verschenken) and this disco classic is tapping its beats through my skull
from Jungle Music – Mixed With Love: Essential & Unreleased Remixes 1976-1986 (Strut, 2010)
I rarely have a gap sufficient to turn on some music – lockdown means I am listening to less music not more now my commute has gone. I did spend an afternoon writing up appraisals last month. I was worried I was sugaring the pill a little so I did put on The National which helped me tone it done some.
True dat, I have many days of back to back meetings with barely time for a quick wee and a brew. Fun isn’t it.
I’ve replaced commuting with a daily walk, to get away from the desk. It’s only half the time I’d spend in the car, but it’s some time to catch up on podcasts. Although Martyn Ware has dropped over six hours of his interview pods in under a week, I’m never going to catch up.
“Dropped”?
Hudson, remove this man!
I spotted “streeted” as another neologism in this vein last week.
He is a pensioner nowadays, so if he drops one* he might have to ask someone else to pick it up for him.
(*) silent but deadly?
Classical, classical, classical primarily for me too – long pieces with no vocals. Although I’m nowhere near as adventurous and I find familiarity is more conducive to working. Listening to new music takes a lot of attention for me.
So it’s the Vaughan Williams and Sibelius symphonies, which I have been getting more familiar with over the last year, many of which I must now have heard hundreds of times. Some other ‘big’ pieces I return to frequently as well: beethoven’s 9th and Mahler’s 2nd and 9th.
Scarecely any listening for pleasure: time is less available and there is always something specific I need to be listening to. And, like @leedsboy and @mc-escher , even less time in the car, which remains my prime sound immersion cabinet. Now up to about 150 new (to me) in the queue, with the regular new new getting the option to queue barge. I despair, but had a nice long drive to a home visit today, which meant I got one of last fridays HMV in Leeds purchases put to be. (What was it? The latest Mary Coughlan, last years ‘Life Stories’ and a cracker it is too, she sticking very much to her formula of a still sassy sexuagenarian, misbehaving through song for a living, even if her current tipple is a mint tea,. Echoes, in a good way, of Dusty Springfield and even, gawd ‘elp us, Shirley Bassey, in some of the arrangements. Vamptastic!
Your first two sentences apply to me too.
“Sassy sexagenarian” sounds like something Sylvester might have said when he was too sunny to say “Suffering succotash”.
….oh dear, I’ll fetch a cloth…. terribly sorry….
Worked through all the local newspapers online (50 years of them) and so the libraries reopening couldn’t come soon enough, but that still means copying up all the notes and writing a narrative.
Rock ‘n’ Roll CDs work best (right now, The Early Jin Singles comp. on Ace) and that’s all I listen to musically, then cricket commentaries, and maybe a dip into the news at 5 p.m. which rarely goes much beyond 5.30 p.m.
instrumental, mostly jazz (no skronk), but early tangerine dream, dub and bluebeat allowed. Words are unhelpful.
Afterwords are positively disruptive.
Pretty much non-stop Panpipes Play Kluster.
I use Spotify’s daily mixes through the day – when I’m not on calls.
The Release Radar mix is great for capturing new releases.
It’s you listening to Acoustic Mellow Focus Piano Indie Work Vibes (complete with library picture of headphones and laptop definitely not a macbook and a notebook with a cup of coffee definitely not Starbucks).
The SR 9000 unit is programmed to whistle – off tune and out of time – popular hits from the radio, in the manner of a dawnspoiling 1970s milkman.
(The function that permitted a cheeky wink at the ladies, a la Robin Askwith in Bottle Boys has, in keeping with these more enlightened times, been discontinued)
Dawnspoiler… Unreleased track by the mighty Tull?
I have retired so have all the time in the world to listen to music………but I don’t. There are too many other things going on, but I’ll most likely listen to something in the late afternoon before Mrs B gets in from work. My listening habit is mainly to work my way through favourite CDs by a particular artist, so I’ve just listened to all of Peter Bruntnell’s albums over the course of a few days – and very good they are too. Don’t listen to much new these days; there isn’t a great deal that inspires me, but if I do, it will be streamed on Amazon Music.
The only time it’s not CDs is if I’m checking out recommendations from this site or the Songlines review pages on YouTube or Spotty, or if I’ve bought a live gig.
Having more time at home has meant I’ve listened to more, it’s true, but the increase is not in proportion to the time available. Sorry, that sounds dry, but what I’m saying is – I don’t feel the need to cram every waking hour with amplified sound at the moment. I always play whole albums, but now there are gaps between, like having a breather between courses at a restaurant. I think I savour things more as a result.
Instrumental, often classical, while I’m working (yes, yes, I know ‘how does a train driver work from home?’ – we’ve had that debate already). Rock and pop while I’m more active round the house, in the kitchen etc. Volume levels decline with the evening light, as I deliberately subdue my adrenalin towards bo-bos. So the day typically progresses towards folk, or maybe Fripp & Eno, Steve Reich; there’s been a lot of Bert and John of late, and I am still enjoying last year’s Rheingans Sisters release like I was a teenager with my one new album for Christmas.
It’s worth saying that typically three times per week, I’m bringing live music into my room in the form of a singing session. It was fortunate indeed that I had just invested in some decent speakers for the PC just as lockdown started last year.
Ooh good one, Times Radio first thing, then when I need to concentrate it’s instrumental music – had a long period of Porcupine Tree and proggy stuff, Camel, Soft Machine, even Floyd, Oldfield. Interminable meetings later I am in rock mode, or even rawkk mode. Old 70s guitar rock or a Spotify playlist Twang Jr just made me of his noisy emo stuff – it’s called “fookin bangers der” for reasons best known to himself. Really good though. I’d call it pop punk but don’t tell him that.
As I’m out about in the Sussex countryside most days delivering your post and parcels I get through quite a lot of stuff. I have a nifty bluetooth thingy that I can tune the lovely Royal Mail van radio to and listen to my Sony music player as I’m driving around.
Inspired by another postie that I follow on Twitter here’s a small but perfectly formed playlist of favourite stuff from the last month.
@ip33
That playlist isn’t going to help you meet your schedules, is it?
What schedules?!
Soz @ip33
Not a snarky comment, just an observation that that playlist might be quite er, relaxing!
I didn’t think you were being anything other than jokey.
And after the last year in Royal Mail I need relaxing.
👍, tough work?
Tough but enjoyable. Started at 5.30, finished at 3.30. But Wednesday is the busiest day.
I have lost 2 and a half stone in the 19 months I’ve been a postman and I work in some beautiful countryside and 99% of people are lovely. The pluses far outweigh the negatives.
That does kinda sound ok, if you like the early starts. For a year or so I used to do delivery for Ocado. Early starts but was too knackered to do too much after. Late starts , around 2pm and I couldn’t be that bothered to do much before hand. Not sure the pluses DID outweigh the negatives for me. Nowhere to have a wee either..
What are pants for?
….Paaaaants!
(from “Panty Rappinghood”)
Oh, Moose, you do brighten my day. Or you will once I’ve mopped the tea out of my keyboard.
My pal operated an ice cream van for a summer. Never ask him for a scoop of his “lemon” ice.
Don’t eat the yellow ice!
Oh I’ll check that out.
I probably listen to more music while working from home but, because in the office, I listen with earphones, I don’t have to compromise my choices. As I share the office at home with my wife (and I’m very much the interloper as she’s a 20 year WFH veteran) we tend to listen to the radio. The first couple of hours of the day neither of us have any meetings normally which takes us roughly through the first half hour of Lauren Laverne on 6 Music but one of us will probably crack after she either says something preposterous or plays yet another shit dance record. At that stage, what with interruptions for phone calls and meetings, last night’s Marc Riley show normally sees us through to lunchtime (obviously we don’t have the stomach for the drivel Mary Anne Hobbs spouts or plays) but we may turn to some Spotify playlists until Sean Keaveney.
We try to fit in an episode of PopMaster in ‘podcast[ form in the morning as well.
Retired so no commute to try to improve with music and no driving about between jobs any more. I have been known to go whole days without playing any music at all in recent times.
Not much TV-watching either. Just Between The Lines when I remember to catch up on the iPlayer.
I’ve changed from having BBC R4 on in the car to BBC R3, quietly enough to be able to ignore anything I don’t like much.
In the afternoons and evenings I either listen to stuff from my digital collection or the Discover Weekly and Jazz X-Press playlists on Spotify. And the occasional podcast from Afropop Worldwide, Welcome To Night Vale, BBC World Service (In The Studio or Music Life) or else Framework, although I don’t tend to actually listen to Framework, it’s just good background sound for reading.
My alarm call as I am called to the office in the loft for more remote meetings and stuff.
Retired and playing less music than for any time in the last fifty years. I didn’t actually realise how much of my listening was done commuting or in the car. Don’t really like headphones and Mrs W doesn’t like the majority of my music.
I have never been one to work and listen to music at the same time, music for me always has to be properly paid attention to. And as for music on the radio, pop or classical, that’s just plain Wrong.
As has always been the case I put records I like on constant rotation. Recently that’s been Chemtrails Over The Country Club which is stunningly brilliant. . As chief vote counter in the AW Album of The Year poll I hereby declare it The 2021 Winner.
Interesting to see you write that, m’learned, I was just saying to wife how I prefer it to NFR. She just don’t like it at all, having bought up the entire back catalogue on hearing NFR. (Without checking, d’oh, whether I had any of them already……..)
I work outside most days, and not much has changed with the pandemic. My beautiful wife does all the grown up stuff like earning a living, while I look after our finca. It’s a hobby farm really, but most of the land is populated by oaks, olives, almonds and many other trees and shrubs typical of the Mediterranean region. It’s a beautiful spot in the middle of nowhere. I love the isolation and to be in nature, and during the day I don’t find any need for music. It’s amazing what you can tune into when you work for long periods outside. You bear witness to all kinds of natural sounds and dramas.
Because we are so remote noise is not a problem, so when I come in for the evening the Quad goes loud. I always try to catch the latest Spotify Discover Weekly, and explore things on there that I like, but mostly it’s CDs new and old. I tend to go through phases of focussing on one particular artist – Babybird is my latest – exploring their back catalogue. Occasionally a well pressed LP gets an airing.
I get the feeling my daily music listening is pretty paltry compared to most on here.
Sounds heavenly Martin you lucky lad.
And a new new album in June – we are truly blessed
Git @martin-hairnet!
I love it out here @Freddy-Steady, but there are ups and downs like anywhere else.
Going through a dumb 80s pop music phase on the way to/from work. I seem to have downloaded an eternal “essential” list of 80s songs. Frinstance:
Stacy Lattislaw – Jump to the Beat
Nick Kamen – Each time you break my heart
International Rescue – Fuzzbox
Mirror Mirror – Dollar
I went to school with Nick Kamen’s cousin. Uninteresting but true.
Did the habit of dropping his trousers run in the family?
My mind goes through phases when music may or may not support it during work. Usually it’s not in the mood for it in the mornings, but more often in the afternoons the sound of something not too intrusive can make me more productive. Takes in plenty of plenty of classical and jazz, along with some Americana and retro soul.
Generally don’t go for radio as the speech is much more distracting, although the presenters on Radio 3 seem to have the right tone and pace of voice.
Like others I find myself missing my commute as a chance to listen to music, particularly new or unfamiliar stuff. On those rare occasions when I am working from home and not on Zoom I do like to put music on, but it can’t be anything which demands my attention – so generally avoid stuff with vocals, or complex classical symphonies, string quartets etc. So it tends to be instrumental music – solo piano, or maybe some undemanding classical stuff. I have even even put on some of those Spotify essential classical type playlists – but a lot of them are full of new ‘contemporary classical’ most of which I find unutterably dull.
I’ve probably listened to less new music this year than any year for ages – whether because of lack of opportunity or desire, I’m not sure. I find when I put something on at home, or when I am walking or running that I am going back to known and loved music more often than not.
But is there less new music demanding attention right now? The pandemic must surely have limited the amount of recording being done. Anyone know if the output of new releases is actually down this year?
I’m not sure the number of new releases is down much, if at all, the few big hitters delayed has been made up by “recorded at home during lockdown” type digital releases.
Very few musicians use trad recording studios nowadays, but apparently mastering houses have not been able to have “client present” sessions.
The quantity of new vinyl sold has definitely gone up and pressing plants are at capacity. Not sure about CDs.
Two studios I am close to have been able to operate virtually continuously over the last year (total lockdown in April last year excepted), using the arguement that musicians are workers who cannot carry out their work from home, and by putting the onus on the musician to certify they are professional and their livelihood depends on recording.
That makes sense. I must admit my Spotify playlist of ‘interesting sounding new albums I must give a listen to’ is probably as long as it normally would be at this time of year; I just haven’t listened to much of it yet.
Still, we’ve got the new Van to look forward to, eh?!
Today I worked from home and listened on Spotify via hifi to the new Lana Del Rey again, already a favourite, Bowie Aladdin Sane, because of this place and Diamond Dogs. Also a bit of Abba, yes because of this place, and some Miles Davis, a playlist. Filles De Kilimanjaro was fine but some others were too much like a bunch of people who can’t play instruments picking up something and trying to get a sound out of it. A bit upsetting. Had to give it a rest.
squonk – as referred to above. Miles in the 70s is squonk central. Not working music for me.
There’s this tension like no one’s sure what to play next but they know they’ve got to play something. I like it though, but it’s tense.
How is squonk different from skronk?
I am intrigue!
’70s Miles is Squonk, Ornette Coleman or Evan Parker is Skronk.
Because of this thread I paid more attention to what I played today. As usual it was Radio 3 in the morning and after a lunch break (a walk, the last half of Bragain hunt and a cheese and salad sandwich and a banana) I played Julian Cope’s Autogeddon a couple of times, the Dylan Covers CD from the new Uncut which I bought at the weekend for the CD, a couple of others …
I say ‘paid attention’ but it just emphasised that when I’m working the music is there to be background. The only individual things I can remember hearing are s*t*a*r*c*a*r from Autogeddon and a lovely recording of La Barchetta by Anthony Rolfe Johnson on the Radio 3 playlist (I know the singer because I was distracted enough to Shazam it). Unless it’s really exceptional the music when I’m working is there to make a pleasant noise rather than be paid attention to.
I can’t actually work with music (or any other distraction). I like the quiet (save for the usual background noise of an office which I can bear).
So … despite lockdown, and the obvious opportunity to have my toons playing while I build another Gantt Chart or Pivot Table, the listening remains an evening thing – usually with the washing-up.
But … I’ve just had the kitchen re-done, and a new dishwasher renders washing-up redundant. Time to return to the “how am I supposed to cook without music?” argument
Washing up without music has to be the most depressing activity in the world.
I work from home, and spend my entire day either on the phone or replying to emails. I usually listen to 6 Music all day with the occasional podcast or SoundCloud recommendation from here. Makes the day go by.