ANNE MARIE TO STEPHEN:

AM: What is your favorite song?

SB: Patient by Isaac Lewis but man you sent me down this crazy rabbit hole with Benny Carter. Been listening to Jazz for a Lazy Day on repeat ever since you sent it to me! Also, may City Kitty is killer. Bahh they’re all killer!

AM: Have you heard any of these tracks before?

SB: Isaac Lewis but that’s it.

AM: You and I talk a lot about music as therapy. I think there’s a tendency for songs to become mega hits or unintentional breakup songs because they’re about “the way things were” or “how good the love was” but I’m more interested in songs that, instead of prolonging an emotional moment that has clearly passed, you throw on because you know they will instantly give you a little lift and make you feel good. Not necessarily a party song or a dance song, just a mood shift. A miniature upper. 

For me, this summer, it’s been Harry’s House. That’s right I’m on the Harry Styles’ train now. First class seat, proud to be here. This album just has an overall feeling of optimism that I love. It reminds me of Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour album in that way. You listen to it and just feel the optimism about love or life just permeating out of it and into you. I love that so much. I don’t know if there is a cinematic equivalent to it, but I’ve always been in awe of musicians who can be that transparent and honest about their emotions and POVs for a moment in time. Anyway, I like the way I feel, and the things I think about in my own life, and what’s possible when I listen to the songs on it. And that’s kind of incredible. 

So, with that said, what are yours — past or present?

SB: Great question. So as you know, most of the songs and albums I listen to are all about vibe. And most of what you’re describing resonates with me because there are a few albums that I have on the ready as mood amplifiers. I.e., I know I’m in a particular headspace and, by throwing on these albums, it’s only going to make that feeling and that moment that much more vivid. Sorta like a popping a molly and going to a concert, but in this case the album is the drug and whatever I’m doing is the concert. Notice I said album, because for it to be a true pick-me-up in the way you’re talking about, it has to last longer than a single song. The three “vibe” albums I find myself going back to in recent years are Dawn FM if I’m driving at night, Church of Rock and Roll by Foxy Shazam if I’m needing a little extra “screw it, let’s kick over these speakers and smash this guitar” energy and Con Todo El Mundo by Khraungbin when I’m in the ‘zone planning or strategizing and need to focus but also don’t want to fall asleep’ mode. There is one particular moment where I do listen to lyrics and allow the storytelling side of things provide the pick-me-up and that’s when I go for a drive on the closest winding road I can. Seriously, if you find yourself only driving to commute, try driving with no destination away from people and buildings and you’ll be amazed where your mind takes you. For those special occasions, the three reflective albums I rotate are The Wild Hunt from Tallest Man on Earth, Brandon Flowers’ Desired Effect and the Lumineers’ Cleopatra. [chef’s kiss]

STEPHEN TO ANNE MARIE:

SB: What is your favorite song?

AM: I really surprised myself this month and enjoyed Spectacle by On Planets.

SB: Have you heard any of these tracks before?

AM: Only Mackeson’s Shinin.

SB: Airports can be crazy, especially when you’re flying overseas. Is there a go-to album or playlist you like to throw on the headphones as you cruise around the kids melting down, impatient patrons and overpriced pretzels?

AM: This is truly a great question. I definitely have most aspects of the travel prep down at this point — I take a minimal amount of luggage and everything work-related has a place in the backpack so I don’t lose anything or forget where it is. I have the RFID wallet, the hardcopy backups of where I’m going… etc. Pickpockets and muggers won’t bring me down without a fight! On top of that, I typically spend a good amount of time prepping movie downloads and music downloads in advance so I’m locked and loaded when I sit down on the plane.

Inevitably, though, the work week leading up to it occasionally goes haywire and the movies/music part of the punch list falls through the cracks. So, I kind of did a shuffle all thing and went on a retrospective of my liked songs on my most recent trip. Usually my system is twofold —

A) I download a few of the hottest new album drops. This time the only one I managed to get on there was…Beyoncé. : )

B) I text Alex Suskind, my good friend and music guru, and ask him to tell me what new stuff he’s listening to and then I download all of it blind.