Ask Adam Anything #9: Working Music

This week, Adam answers a question about what music he listens to in the cave while he’s working on projects. Adam digs up his current favorite playlist and runs through some of his favorite songs and artists. If you have a question or something you want to share with Adam, post in the comments below! (Music recommendations as well.) We’ll be back next week!

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Comments (102)

102 thoughts on “Ask Adam Anything #9: Working Music”

  1. Hi Adam, i was very delighted to hear that you listened to Aurora! I’ve been obsessed by her debut album that came out in march and if you, like me likes “chicks whining about the ocean”, then it should be right up your alley! One of the songs on the album is actually named Under the Water

    A somewhat similar artist, but with more piano is Agnes Obel, most known song is Riverside. Highly recomended!

    And my own latest obsession is Stay in the Dark by Lambert which is almost just piano, but it hit me somewhere deep in my musical DNA, very moving even though it has no vocal.

    Quick question, do you ever listen to podcasts while working? I find it very motivating listening to someone else talk while i do tasks that require less brainpower. Please share your prefered podcasts if you do. 🙂

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  2. Foo fighters everlong I still cannot decide whether the acoustic or full rock version is the best ,
    Great question , I love electronic music when doing meditative activities like Jean Michelle jarre , but for action I need motivating music , sound track to inception is great dramatic music , also foo fighters

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  3. Not really my thing, but it sounds like you’d like Feist and maybe a Canadian indie-pop band called Alvvays. They’re a guilty pleasure of mine.

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  5. Might I suggest Disturbed’s cover of Sound of Silence.. Yes Distured is very Heavy and a distance from Poppy Rock.. But give it a listen.. It’s shockingly awesome. (at least to me)

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  9. Great video Adam. I am always a fan of having music playing as I work no matter if it is in my home studio or at work. Like you I have just as an eclectic taste in music as well. I use the music to help keep my mind clear and better focus at times by calming me.

    I have a (sorta a two part) question for you: What are your rules/views of food or drink in or near your work area while in your shop? Which kinda relates to my second part what kind of safety protocols do have in place for accidental injury or poisoning?

    Thank you

    Brian

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  11. Oh I listen to ALOT of movie soundtracks…kinda takes me back to that particular movie as I am working.

    Brian

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  12. Is there a prop that you would really like to have in your collection (by building or buying it) However, its size makes it impossible. PS I would like to make this question a little more difficult by excluding the obvious (I suppose): DeLorean, Ecto-1 and power loader). Best regards and thank you for your great work

    Michal

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  14. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings: neo-soul from Brooklyn and she is absolute FIRE. Sharon Jones could sing the phone book and it would be a top 10 play in my book.

    Hudson Taylor: a pair of guys from Dublin who play some amazing and beautiful folk and rock tunes. Wonderful artists, the both of them. Singing For Strangers is their debut and it’s fantastic.

    Beth Orton: an English folk-electric singer, Central Reservation is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.

    Cibo Matto: If you don’t know, now you know. 2 Japanese vocalists singing and rapping in English with Sean Lennon on bass. You must KNOW YOUR CHICKEN!

    Luscious Jackson: Sort of like the Beastie Boys, if the Beastie Boys were ass-kicking females.

    Saun and Starr: They are the Dap-ettes with Sharon Jones, but their debut solo album is fierce, soulful, and strong. Try “Hot Shot”.

    Dance Hall Crashers: if No Doubt were ruined by Gwen Stefani, these ladies picked up the torch and ran with it, setting 3rd-wave ska on fire. “Lost Again” is my favorite track.

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  15. I’m a 38 year old male.

    I too have music taste like an 14 year old girl. It is what is is.

    I am building my he-shed. ( Barn tricked out, step1) and I’m getting ready to install the audio cables, this aught to get interesting. I’m a big Sonos fan, just bridged my router for my reach. Haven’t figured out how to make an 2000’s amp stream. Laptop?

    Holla at ya boys.

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  17. Part one :

    Please share a list ^^ Would love this!

    —————————————————————————————————————-

    As you love musicals you should check out Frank Wildhorn his work (US composer). He made some great musicals!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMCbx6uwJeA (Bonnie and Clyde – Awesome castalbum of a musical closing too soon!)

    https://open.spotify.com/album/4llhXgNnxdrg20RdEWorAP

    ——————————————————————————————————————-

    Stephen Schwartz (Wicked Composer)

    Pippin : https://open.spotify.com/album/6egiJ9Cfth349uRMEMsAGr

    Hunchback of the Notre dame (New off-broadway cast recording) https://open.spotify.com/album/0bmzNbUr5b6AfCSvCi0XQL

    Prince of Egypt : https://open.spotify.com/album/1Wgxp3J4MEqM7pXDyHfWb9

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Tim Minchin’s Matilda

    My house : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZIcq_xKM_c

    ———————————————————————————————————–

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  22. Hi Adam. After you talked about Kate Davis I was curious if you listen to Postmodern Jukeboxs other work.

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  23. Hey Adam

    When you’re working on a problem that is causing you some particular difficulty how do you go about troubleshooting or figuring that problem out? Do you keep working on it working on it working on it until it comes to you? Or do you set it aside and think about it ,then pick it up later? Or go to the Internet and trying to find a solution for it? What’s your process?

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  26. I get too distracted by words in my music while I’m coding, so my playlist tends toward jazz (Dave Brubeck), classical (whatever’s on the local classical/NPR), and various flavors of electronica (Deep Tech, Space Dreams, Chillout).

    Doing physical work is another matter – then I *want* lyrics to distract me, so classic rock (60s-80s) or even an audiobook keep my mind occupied.

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  29. I also seem to have many, many women artists in my playlists. Pop (but less “popular” than your artists). In case you’re looking for more, this is but a fraction (mostly women here):

    Aisler’s Set (from San Francisco, BTW)

    Azure Ray (Athens, GA)

    Dot Allison

    Courtney Barnett (Aussie)

    The Concretes (one of many Swedish bands I like)

    Charlotte Gainsbourg (like father, like daughter)

    The Cardigans (of course)

    Kasey Cambers (some Australian country)

    The Distillers (Aussie girl rocks hard when she moves to LA)

    Dressy Bessy (about as pop as you get)

    Esters

    Grandaddy (okay, no women are in this band, but I couldn’t resist)

    Halou

    The Innocence Mission (you like Natalie Merchant? You’ll like The Innocence Mission)

    Cate LeBon

    Luluc (more Aussiness)

    Jessica Lea Mayfield

    The Muffs (still rocking….)

    Sleeper (we miss you, 90’s music)

    Spinerette (the singer form the Distillers does her own thing)

    Laura Stevenson

    Wye Oak

    100 Watt Smile

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  30. Lots of people use playlists. John Ringo has playlists for when he’s writing. Most of his Black Tide Rising series, anthology coming out next month, was inspired by “Last Ride of the Day” by Nightwish. They even put his playlist for the series at the end of the first book, “Under a Graveyard Sky”.

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  31. Adam, you might like My Brightest Diamond‘s album A Thousand Shark’s Teeth. Shara Worden has an amazing voice. If you like Shawn Colvin, you might also like Neil Finn‘s Try Whistling This and One Nil. Bon Iver‘s self titled 2011 album is also incredible. I also like Lou Doillon‘s album Places. It’s very chilled.

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  32. Oh, and he also asked all of us on Facebook yesterday why none of us had told him about Halestorm. My excuse, after I had listened to part of the song that he linked, is that while I had heard the song, I had no clue who it was by.

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  33. Whats wrong with the camera? it keeps moving for no good reason? :s

    As allways thanks for taking the time Adam 🙂

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  35. I second the Sarah Slean recommendation, she is fantastic, and I would add The Ditty Bops and Regina Spector.

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  36. Everyone is always like “oh, I have a very weird taste in music”, and then they list 20 random pop songs 🙂

    Where’s the noise rock, the Tuvan throat singing, the drone metal, the glockenspiel covers of heavy metal classics, the Portsmouth Sinfonia, the accordion disco, the really weird stuff?

    Come on man, it’s time to get weird!

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  38. When I want some easy listening, I often turn to Hiroshima for an Asian/American take on Jazz. I especially like their early work.

    I love everything Puddles Pity Party does with Post Modern Jukebox. Royals is a fave.

    Monte Carlo by US Royalty is a daily listen.

    On the teenage girl front, If you haven’t dipped your toe into the world of KPop, you may want to wade in and check out some groups like 2NE1, BTS, GOT7, EXO, BigBang and 4Minute.

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  39. For shame, no BabyMetal?!?! That’s been my current obsession now for at least 6 months. I don’t speak Japanese, but the singers voice does become truly an instrument when you don’t understand the language. It might take a few listens to get into it, I admit that. lol

    Like Adam my music taste is quite eclectic. Pearl Jam, KMFDM, Metallica (the old stuff), Buddy Holly, Adam & the Ants, Peeping Tom, Pink, Led Zeppelin, Transvision Vamp, Lily Allen, Blind Melon, Kasey Chambers, Mozart, Daft Punk, Animaniacs (music from the cartoon show. lol), Gnarles Barkley, Sausage, Guns & Roses, Guru Josh, etc. Those were the bands from my Winamp app on my phone that were selected by selecting next on random. And that barely scraps the surface and genre of music I listen too. One day I’d love to get a Theremin and learn to play that.

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  41. I can’t image you haven’t heard this before but just in case you have not “Imogen Heap – Hide And Seek” was the first thing I thought of when I heard “Kanye west – Lost in the world.”

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  42. Hi Adam, new question for you.

    How much sketching and illustrating do you do during a project vs. before or after? Could you share some examples of how sketching helped you understand or solve a problem? Or do you use it more to help put a bow on a completed project? Thanks!

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  44. Ah! My first premium video and comment! #totallyworth.

    I love your play lists! For me lyrics are more important than the music (though clearly I like both to be good!) I like a lot of the artist you listed! One of my newest obsessions is Lucy Spraggan – she tells great stories though her songs which I love. Check out her songs Tea and Toast, Last Night, or Someone if interested. (plus she’s English and I love the accent)

    On an unrelated note ~ I always enjoyed mythbusters but I don’t think I really became a fan of you personally until I started seeing your secret comc-con costume builds! I grew up in San Diego and have attended many Comic-Cons and it’s where I got my costuming start, and you’ve inspired me to really take everything to the next level! I 100% admire your nothing is impossible attitude!

    ‘Making’ is my hobby so spending time on building the costumes is pleasure in and of itself but the real pay off is the reaction you get from people when they see the costume! However, it almost seems kind of hit or miss, I’ve seen some really well made and detailed costumes get little attention while other simpler costumes get people really excited!

    My question is what do you think makes a ‘good’ costume? Is there something in particular you consider when choosing which costumes to make or do you just choose your favorites and hope others like it too?

    Does that ever happen to you, where you make something and you think everyone’s going to love it but they don’t and or the opposite where you think ‘this is silly’ but then suddenly everyone thinks its the best thing ever?

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  48. So, Adam, since we’re talking about music, do you play any instruments? Have you ever built any functioning instruments, whether for the purpose of playing it or just recreating a prop (Marty McFly’s anachronistic Gibson ES-345)? My electric guitar addiction has forced me to improve many of my maker skills – particularly woodworking, soldering, and analog circuit design – so to me music and making go hand-in-hand.

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  51. Hey Adam, I have a question,

    How do you build a shop?
    I’m starting to make more and more things and as a result I’m starting to need more and more tools and space. So I’d be interested in hearing how and where you generally get your tools and how you ended up in the space you’re currently in.

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  53. Adam! You seem like the fearless kind of person, at least in the face of music, if you’re not too against listening to music in other languages, I can recommend some Japanese music that you may enjoy…or not. These are some of the songs I’m in love with from Japan:
    One OK Rock “Be the Light”, “Clock Strikes”, “Wherever You Are”, From simple Plan featuring Taka from One OK Rock, “Summer Paradise” (From Warner Music Japan: https://goo.gl/TRgMnD )
    Younha, “Houki Boshi”, “123” (This one is in Korean, yes, it’s the Jackson 5 song)
    Yui “Life”

    I’m very much about Vocals, I love songs that have really good vocals. I hope you listen to and possibly enjoy some of the music I’ve recommended for you!

    *Edit: I just thought of an artist you may like, her name is Emilie Autumn, and she doesn’t seem to have a steady genre, each song seems to be in a different genre, she’s a good singer, also a Violinist.

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  54. Ok Adam. Just a quick suggestion. Find a copy of “A Weaver’s Life “by Henri’s Notions. they are a Alabama based Celtic group that you may find enjoyable.

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  55. Hello Adam, If you are not already acquainted with a band called Katzenjammer I would recommend them. There album Le Pop gets a lot of play in our house.

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  56. Question for Adam –

    I’m an archaeologist and I study early medieval locks and keys (viking age and Anglo-Saxon). My research is concerned with the roles objects play in our social and cultural lives, how we use them to create identity and memory, and how their meaning shifts and changes depending on the context in which we use and encounter them.

    A major concept that I use is ‘object biography’ (pretty much established by Arjun Appadurai’s The Social Life of Things in 1988). The idea is that objects, like people, have life stories – birth, use-change-exchange-adaptation, and finally death or deposition.

    You are obviously someone who is extremely connected to objects in a practical and in an emotional way. You’ve talked a lot about how objects affect you and how you are inspired by and use objects – your dodo lecture is a brilliant example and really reflects the idea of object biography. But what objects would you say are tightly tied to your own personal identity including but not confined to being a maker? If you were, for example, going to construct a furnished grave what would you put in it?

    (oh, and if you had a story about a key or lock, I wouldn’t mind that too!)

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  57. Adam,

    Check out Halie Loren.

    And a question. As a maker, where do you draw the line between doing an entire build yourself or subbing out part of the work from your design? It surprised me at one point hearing you talk about making a certain costume, but at the same time sending out for parts of it to be made. Not calling it a cheat per se, but I feel a level of guilt when thinking about sending something out to be fabricated as I’m no longer fully making it. Do you ever feel that too and how do you deal with it and decide when to do it?

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  58. When I’m in The Zone, if it’s not a podcast such as Skeptics Guide, Dr Karl, or Tested, I really work well to ELEVATOR MUSIC!! Right now Spanish Guitar. I load up YouTube and play one of the 90min vids.

    I’m a little partial to Euro Techno, such as Robert Miles or tune into SBS Chill but the Spanish Guitar has a sense of class about it and as I make jewellery I hope it rubs off !

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  59. Adam,

    Greetings from around the corner from Tarrytown.

    Oftentimes I’ll need a part or a piece for something I’m fabricating and no “expert” will be around to guide me. As makers and fabricators, much of our knowledge is systemic and we know the proper name of a piece from our previous triumphs and tragedies. But if I have a vision of something and can’t figure out how or where to find it, what resources are best to turn to? Is there a great encyclopedia for makers?I guess I’m searching for good systematic reference materials. I know you’ve been working on your book and am excited for the day it comes out.

    Tangential; I appreciate everything you’ve done in your career. It has affected me as a designer and fabricator. Your words have not only helped create a syntax to combine art and science but to combine art/design, science and my career in the navy. Forever indebted.

    A

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  60. Very much on the similar track with music taste. Had a big list with artists here, but since you are getting so many suggestions I’ll just recommend one:

    Something you for sure are no familiar with: a Swedish-Finnish band called “Hans On The Bass”. Fun, happy pop-music that sure will work as “shop music” : )

    A quick link to one of their songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcZdzAxPns4

    But you’ll find the albums on Spotify etc.

    Thank you for all the fun stuff you do!

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  61. Female singer song writers… Fiona apple, check out the extraordinary machine album as well as the idler wheel.

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  62. Hey Adam, I have you to thank for my current Hamilton addiction. I’ve read the “making of” book as well as the biography, I’ve watched every YouTube clip I could find, and I wake up every morning with one of about 30 favourite songs from the soundtrack, which is BRILLIANT. I’m in love with Phillipa Soo. “That Would be Enough” is such a wonderful song and “Burn” brings tears to my eyes. On my commute I often start with “Ten Duel Commandments and let it play right thru to Yorktown, What Comes Next and Dear Theodosia with the volume at 11! To see it live must have been amazing.

    If you like Shawn Colvin, you should check out Viva Las Vegas from the Doc Pomus tribute album. It’s a great version of the song that she makes her own.

    You asked for it so I’m going to give you a list of some of favourites from my Car Playlist

    You Showed Me – The Turtles, Lovers in a Dangerous Time – Barenaked Ladies, I Scare Myself – Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, Dead Man Walking (A Dream Like This) – Mary Chapin Carpenter, Are You Alright? – Lucinda Williams, Building A Mystery (Live) – Sarah McLachlan, Joan of Ark & Jack the Lad (Live Version) – Katie Melua, Somewhere Down the Crazy River – Robbie Robertson, 5 Days in May – Blue Rodeo, It Hasn’t Hit Me Yet – Blue Rodeo, Now That I Know – Devendra Banhart, Tiger Phone Card – Dengue Fever, Smells Like Teen Spirit – Patti Smith, Inner City Blues – Gil Scott-Heron, Moanin’ – Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Stormy Weather – Louis Armstrong, A Certain Girl & Mother-In-Law – Ernie K-Doe, Crawfish – Elvis Presley, Chain of Fools, House That Jack Built, Rock Steady – Aretha Franklin, California Love – 2Pac, Private Idaho – B-52s, Red Houses – John Cougar Mellencamp

    Finally, a couple of great soundtracks, and movies, are from the Guy Ritchie films Snatch and RocknRolla and the great independent film “Beasts of the Southern Wild”. (If you’ve never seen this film you owe it to yourself to check it out.

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  63. Thanks for sharing Adam!

    I do have to say, my wife was listening in on this episode, and kind of agreed with your boys about listening to 14 year old girl music. So I had a good laugh about that.

    A group that I keep listening to lately is: Voctave. They have a youtube channel and are absolutely brilliant! If you like vocals, these guys and gals have them! So check them out if you are curious.

    Cheers!

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  64. I was heart broken when Powderfinger broke up but at least Fanning is still releasing the occasional album.

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  66. Susan Sundfør – white foxes she did the feature on the M83 soundtrack to oblivion as well which i also love

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  67. question: I have a wonderful toddler daughter. I want her to grow up and feel confident in a shop/creative environment. Did you bring your kids to the shop? And if so, what age?

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  68. Hi Adam,

    I follow Tested and you for quite a while and i finally contributed for the premium thing. I wanted to ask you. What do you recomend to start making things with leather, like making a belt from scratch. I sure you don’t need every tools that shops are seeling, but what do you recommend for a low budget making.

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  73. I´m almost obsessed with Jasmine Thompson and her amazing covers, she can be found on youtube/spotify 🙂

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  74. Hey Adam, I have a question,

    How do you build a shop?
    I’m starting to make more and more things and as a result I’m starting to need more and more tools and space. So I’d be interested in hearing how and where you generally get your tools and how you ended up in the space you’re currently in.

    I second this question, I have been building more and more but my budget is very tight I would love any advice you might have for finding budget tools or what tools give you the most bang for the buck in the shop.

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  75. I agree! Foo Fighters is the shizzle. I would say i like the full rock version best. Its so energetic!

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  76. My music taste are pretty eclectic as well. Ive got from Miles Davis to Skinny puppy sitting in the car. Lately working around the house ive been listening to an Audioslave playlist on youtube. I mean you have a great singer and three great musicians. Really gets the blood pumping but also just a dynamic range of emotions. But then i’d also recommend a band out of Norway called Wardruna. If you like the Vikings series check them out, they do a lot of the music for the show.

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  77. Dude, duuude! You have listen to Pentatonix, their Daft Punk medley is amazing. Also, thank you for your enthusiasm, it’s really inspiring.

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  78. A thousand thanks! In searching for the cover version of All About That Bass you mentioned, I discovered Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. I have this strange liking for retro-style covers of modern songs, and their catalogue on Google Play Music is a treasure trove! Also +1 to the commenter who mentioned Pentatonix… Amazing covers and original stuff too, and all acapella, which makes it even more awesome. Thanks for this, my music selections needed some freshening up!

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  79. I like ‘Ora’ by Ciara Civello. I was a music major specializing in Latin percussion and picked up a taste for he sounds of Brazil.

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  80. If you like PMJ try The Baseballs, Similar style, retro covers of modern songs. Their version of “Paparazzi” is absurdly fun to listen to.

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  81. Question : tested.com is a great distraction of new ideas and builds, how do you stop yourself being distracted by the new thing, I love the research and sketching out but am slow to start the build , once I start I’m easily distracted . To quote the Joker I’m like a dog chasing cars I wouldn’t know what do if I caught one

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  82. Adam, Thank you for answering some of these questions, it’s great to get your responses and peer into the mind of a master maker. I also have to thank you for your pursuit of a maker generation, I firmly believe that the emergence of a maker generation has you and mythbusters to thank for its rapid development. I live in a rural Canadian town of 8,000 people and never expected a maker-type space to be developed here, however our city is opening MIDAS Lab (http://midaslab.ca/) this September, and man am I stoked, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning, you can’t wipe the smile from my face.

    I do have a question. I have several project on the go, and when inspiration strikes I will often pick up or start a new project. How do you prioritize projects, ensure old projects don’t fall away completey and fight the desire to chase the new projects with the ability to finish the existing projects. I’d appreciate any insight you have!

    PS- I like happy music, and like to support canadian artists. Right now I am hooked on Walk off the Earth, they sing happy, pop-type music that I think you would enjoy, and they have awesome videos.

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  83. Question:

    What is the story behind that shattered round mirror I constantly see in the background of your work area? I love the videos where you tell the stories behind the various objects or tools in your shop.

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  86. Hey Adam, going to San Francisco this summer. Is there any stores/places you would recommend visiting for parts, cool creations, anything that a maker, like yourself would find interesting?

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  87. Ok, then this is something we completely disagree with. Our taste in music… 😀 I cringed troughout! 😉

    For the rest, you are a big inspiration to me!

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  89. I’m really digging your musical tastes Adam. I too, have a very eclectic mix of songs in my various playlist. Being from NYC, I love Broadway; may I suggest In The Heights… truly incredible stuff. Catchy too!

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  90. I think you’d like Lucy Schwartz given your penchant for female pop. She’s a young singer/songwriter that’s been featured in movies lik shriek and shows like Nashville. She’s a real phenom with a ton of talent and a beautiful and interesting voice. Thanks for the list, Adam!

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  91. I think you would dig the soundtrack “THE MARS UNDERGROUND” by James Michael Dooley. Check it out. It inspires me and helps me focus when I’m writing or thinking of ideas.

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  92. HI Adam ^w^/ I think you’d like Delta Rae, my friend got me hooked on their songs Morning Comes and Bottom of the River. Powerful singers and songs that move the soul some how~<3

    I like to listen to Video game soundtracks, my faves being Necrodancer and Undertale atm and some popular remixes of songs by Sim Gretina (they have a nice genre pool, I LOVE their electro-swing mixes) and µThunder on YouTube, happy bouncy music XD

    ~Krys

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  93. Hi Adam. I tend to listen to most flavors of electronic music while I work. It keeps me focused and doesn’t get in the way. These are the artists in my current playlist:

    Amon Tobin, Flume, Gold Panda, Battles, Miike Snow, Dillion Francis, Two Fingers, Duck Sauce, Glass Candy, Lazerhawk, And Miami Nights 1984. I also found two great compilations called “Music for dining in space vol 1 & 2” that I added as well.

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  94. Sorry Adam, but I’ve got to side with your sons here…. Wow…

    My current playlist includes:

    R.E.M. – First dozen albums and also the Unplugged sessions
    Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Just good time music.
    Crowded House – I’ve picked up a few rare live albums and CH really are at their best with an audience. If you can find it, Crowded House live at the Town and Country club is possibly them at their absolute best, but Farewell to the World is also a great, but sad gig – it was their last..
    Gomez – The first two ablums, Bring It On and Liquid Skin are my favourites.
    The Super Super Blues Band – Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley having fun.
    Hugh Laurie – Many actors have tried moving into music, Hugh is one of the few with the talent to actually make it work.
    Ingrid Lucia & The Flying Neutrinos – Hotel Child and I’d Rather Be in New Orleans – New Orleans party jazz
    Left Leg Cruiser – Hard rock blues. Drummer and a guitarist making a LOT of noise.
    Madness – Don’t have the space on my devices for their whole discography, so gone with their live album Madstock and A Guided Tour of Madness.
    Peter Gabriel – Secret World Live and New Blood.
    Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three – More good time old timey party music.
    Queen – First 6 albums and Live at Wembley, Live at the Bowl, Rock Montreal, A Night at the Odeon and the We Will Rock You cast recording.
    Reel Big Fish – An assortment, but Favourite Noise covers most of them. Skacoustic is a great albums.
    Seasick Steve – Everything he has released. I love Steve and he’s such a nice chap too.Guitars built from the wrong parts, in the wrong places and assembled wrongly… but it just works.
    The Blues Brothers – Pretty much everything they have released, plus a couple of bootlegs.
    The Dodge Brothers – UK skiffle band featuring Movie reviewer Mark Kermode.
    The Puppini Sisters – Modern take on 1940’s close harmony girl groups. Some great cover versions in there.
    The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Very, very silly. But seriously good. Live at the Royal Albert Hall from the Proms a few years back was a show I’ll remember for a long time. So a bootleg of that was nice to find.

    Aaaand finally on the music front a local band that are spectacular.

    CC Smugglers – American roots music play superbly with a huge amount of energy. Great group of people too. I really hope they find success soon. I really can’t recommend these guys enough. They’re doing a lot of shows all over the place at the moment and if You’re able to see them, do.

    I also have quite a bit of comedy and assorted radio series sat on there as well.

    ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic – Just an assortment of about 50 songs that I’ve pieced together over the years.
    Monty Python’s Flying Circus – All the recent remastered releases. Yup, I’m a proper geek.
    Dilemma – BBC Radio 4 comedy. Frequently just odd and regularly hilarious.
    The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy – the original audiobook released read by Douglas. IMO still the best versions but hard as hell to find now. I got lucky and found then in a local second hand shop.
    I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again – Another BBC Radio Comedy. Forerunner to I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and shows just how talented they all are. And it’s sickening….
    Tom Lehrer – His box set The Remains Of Tom Lehrer is one of the best satirical albums ever, and both sadly and amazingly, is still relevant today in a lot of cases
    Cabin Pressure – Possibly the best BBC Radio Comedy produced in the last 30 years. It’a just Brrrrilliant! Oooh, Yellow car!
    Hut 33 – BBC Radio comedy set at Bletchley Park during World War 2 with the most incompetent codebreakers of the lot.
    I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – The antodite to panel games. 43 years of just odd. My favouite round is Uxbridge English Dictionary – eg: Lactose: The end result of frostbite. Shampoo: An artificial turd.
    I’ve Never Seen Star Wars – Marcus Brigstocke introduces celebrity guests to new experiences, good and bad.
    John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme – Sketch show by the creator of Cabin Pressure.
    Just a Minute – I don’t know what I can say about this that hasn’t been said by anyone else. Close to 50 years of comedy. All of them with Nicholas Parsons there. Even when the panellists have changed over the years he’s been there to keep control… almost…
    Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music – Comedy songwriter takes on various subjects within the music industry with the help of his band and Robin Ince.
    The Mitch Benn Music Show – He’s been told not to play any of his own songs, so he has to go with some of the best comedy music from over the years.
    The Brig Society – Marcus Brigstocke has been put in charge of a thing… how hard could it be?
    The Goon Show – Frequently insane and just a classic.
    The Museum of Everything – A museum that contains everything inclusing… the gift shop….
    The News Quiz – A light-hearted and irreverent look at the week’s news. Anytime someone goes off on a rant that ends up nearly killing someone with laughter yout know it’s a good show.
    The Now Show – I’m a big Punt and Dennis fan from back in the Mary Whitehouse Experience Days, so yeah… I love this.
    The Mary Whitehouse Experience – the radio show, not the TV show. it’s certainly of it’s time. Being a child of the 80’s it hits my funny bone.
    Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister – The best political show bar none.

    Reply

  95. Gin Wigmore is my favorite artist. She is a Kick ass Kiwi chick with a unique southern sound. You might recognize her from some Heineken commercials last year around the 007 movie release.

    Reply

  96. In a similar brand to some of the artists you mentioned, a huge favorite of mine is Vanessa Carlton! Her most popular song being A Thousand Miles, but she has a lot of wonderful (often times more dark) tunes as well.

    She just put out an album last year called Liberman and I’ve been enjoying it a lot!!

    Reply

  98. Hi Adam, the song I am going to suggest is going to be quite a departure from your playlist style. The song is A Tout Le Monde by Megadeth. Yes they are a metal band and a vast departure from your playlist style. I love this song though. It is not your typical metal song and has some amazingly beautiful lyrics. This song actually help me to grieve my uncle when he died from cancer. I hope you will give it a listen.

    Reply

  99. You gotta check out HAIM Adam. They’re an amazing all female band, a little different than the songs you have their but I think you might still like them.

    Reply

  100. Second this. If I need to use my brain for math or writing I find that talking makes me loose my train of thought. However I can podcast all day if I’m drawing something.

    Reply

  101. I’m a Rock kinda guy, But I Love the Kate Davis version of All about that bass, first I heard it was with Post modern jukebox 😀

    Reply

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