“According to researchers at Manchester University, music fans are stimulating part of the inner ear known as the sacculus, which responds to the beat in music. This gives the brain pleasure and makes us feel good – during the music and afterwards.

The sacculus, which is not thought to have any hearing function in humans, appears to be sensitive only to very loud volumes, above 90 decibels.”

http://lifehacker.com/5350990/boost-your-brains-health-with-loud-music

Normally I listen to Kings of Leon or (at the minute) Noisettes.

As well as that it has to be Nick Warren, Sasha, Global Underground in general, all good!
Also ‘Balance’ by Joris Voorn is one of the best mixes I’ve heard in a long time. Right now I’m listening to Sasha and Digweeds Northern Exposure, quality.

Other than that heavy dub/reggae always helps, along with quality hip hop like souls of mischief, Dj Krush and Dj Primecuts.

I like to finish things off with some classic rock too, the cure, the clash, the doors, Led Zepplin, ac/dc, neil young, depeche mode and the mighty Rolling Stones… I like music a lot!

if its a slow day and i’m doing some long & not so exciting work – the Ricky Gervais/Smerch/Pilkington podcasts & vintage XFM material can make the day brilliant.

if i have a large important project to design and i’m stuck in a rut, i listen to Loveless by My Bloody Valentine and it _explodes my mind_.

if i need to churn stuff out really quickly i find Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm works well for me. which is funny cause i cant listen to any of their other work without throwing up a little.

if i’m on a roll and i need to keep going, My Disco is relentless.

However on a recent Boagworld podcast featuring Dan Rubin, he mentioned how musicians find it hard listening to music, as they tend to drift off and focus on the music or lyrics instead of the actual work.

Great reading about what music makes people tick.

Funny reading about Tchaikovsky, Bach, Slayer, PHP and Javascript at the same time :D

Right now, listening to youtube music sensation Ronald Jenkees. Mostly electronic trip-hop and some hip hop beats as well. Definitely recommend checking his stuff out on youtube or his website: http://www.ronaldjenkees.com

Otherwise I have multiple playlist set up on pandora for my changing moods throughout the day. Some of my regulars include:
• VAST
• Bloc Party
• Santo Gold
• Opeth
• Natalie Walker

…here’s a peak at my listening habits: http://www.last.fm/user/Tim_Drunk/library

Any other form of music just hurts my brain and severely cripples my creativity…

Did I mention SLAYER?

And, I couldn’t agree w/you more, Mike: design + music go hand in hand. As an art director I listen to music constantly while I work. Such an untapped creative tool, as I see it. In my blog, I use a design theme as my post inspiration then build a playlist around it. Such a natural outlet for me.

Here are some on my faves:

http://www.heyjoy.com/2009/04/vox-boxing.html
http://www.heyjoy.com/2009/03/poster-child.html
http://www.heyjoy.com/2009/02/speechless.html

I enjoyed this post greatly. Nice to know I’m not alone. ;)

Best~
Joy

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Vitamin_Playlist/16315389

enjoy! I am…

Here’s what I have on rotation: U2, Simple Minds, Embrace, Beloved, Cure, The Killers, White Lies, Coldplay, Anechoic, Athlete, Cut Copy, Glasvegas, James, Kyte, Pilot Speed, Razorlight, One Republic, Snow Patrol, The Script, Thievery Corporation.

“Dust in the Wind” by Kansas
“Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
“Blowing in the Wind” by Bob Dylan
“Mellow Yellow” by Kansas
“Dust in the Wind” by Donovan

But my usual list would be something like:

Gorillaz
The Virgins
Black Kids Rock
Ra Ra Riot
Discovery

Checking out your collection now liking it so far!