I grew up on classical music, 80’s radio, and classic rock. Ive never been a fan of drama in my life, but I have always LOVED drama in music. I want music that elicits an emotional response, music that moves my body, puts me on the edge of my seat, stirs my rage, excites me, surrounds + encompasses me, asks something of me, takes me on a ride, or asks me to close my eyes and be fully present. I can’t have music on in the background while I am doing anything besides cooking or showering. Listening to music is a full body experience that pushes its way to the forefront of my awareness. Often even in movies or tv shows, if there’s a piece of music I really love playing in the background of a scene, I have to watch it multiple times because I completely miss the dialogue. Between this and spending so much time creating, rehearsing, or thinking about music, listening to it for pleasure isn’t historically something I’ve spent very much time doing. Working with my bandmate and artistic partner, Emilia Richeson, over the last year and a half has started shifting this relationship. She has SUCH GREAT TASTE in music and is incredibly skilled at crafting the ride I crave with her playlists for Pony Sweat - a fiercely non-competitive feminist dance aerobics practice geared towards eliciting those feelings of freedom so often only unearthed by bedroom dancing. I think this, combined with having birthed my first album has created space for more music in my life. So! Here are just a few of my greatest influences mixed with a few of my latest favorites. It’s a bit of a doozy, so settle in and get ready for the ride.
