We at OneFastBuffalo are huge music fans. From rap to bluegrass, we all have our favorites. Music also helps us not only get things done, but keeps us doing great work. Sometimes we play music out loud, but mostly we listen to them on our headphones.
Basically music keeps us focused. For me, I have a very random mix of music. From T.I to Etta James, I have a little bit of everything. But what do I listen to that really keeps me going? I have different tunes for different types of work.
For more corporate work, I really love to rock out to 80’s alternative rock/pop. I know, I know. Sounds a little silly. But one of my favorites is the 80’s band New Order. Maybe its my love for Molly Ringwald movies such as Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink, but New Order with their quirky sound really keeps me going.
When I am finishing out projects, I have a tendency to listen to film scores. This type of music is very soothing and calming. I have a playlist that will last me all day long. My favorites are those of James Horner (Braveheart and The New World), James Newton Howard (The Village and The Dark Knight), David Julyan (The Prestige and The Descent), Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings Trilogy and A History of Violence), Tyler Bates (Dawn of the Dead and 300) and former Nine Inch Nails band member Charlie Clouser (Dead Silence and the Saw movies). Movie scores just have this magic to them. Even if I haven’t seen the movie, the music is just so enchanting and gives me a little creative drive.
I also like to listen to music from certain soundtracks. I will list just a few, because I could go on for days. First is the Garden State soundtrack. This soundtrack had so many new and fresh music paired along with some oldies that I just adore. The music on this soundtrack compliments each other so well. It is the perfect balance. The second soundtrack is the Marie Antoinette soundtrack. I love Sophia Coppola movies, and the soundtrack for this movie was so eclectic and quirky. Bands such as New Order to The Cure seem to make me forget that this is from a movie where the French monarchy is on the verge of being overthrown, yet it has some music that actually fits the period in which Marie Antoinette lived. This soundtrack particularly keeps me on my toes. The last soundtrack is the Batman Forever soundtrack. I know you really want to laugh right now, but I am serious. This soundtrack has tunes such as U2’s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” that I can put on repeat and never get tired of. This is a definite work soundtrack from the best pre Christopher Nolan Batman movies.
Now, I bet if you asked everyone around our office or your own, we all have our styles of music that listen to during the day. Bottom line, we listen to what keeps us happy and creating great work. If you listen closely, you might even hear one of us singing.