When I create art, I often listen to music. Nothing too unusual about that. Fellow artists, I bet you do, too. But one extraordinary phenomena that I do observe is that the type of music I listen to while creating greatly influences my art. If I listen to Tom Waits or the Gorillaz, my art is more edgy, more funky, less safe, more out-of-the-box. If I listen to Stan Getz radio, I achieve similar results, but not so over the top. If I listen to classical music--such as Chopin---I tend to work on more staid, traditional pieces. And if I listen to Springsteen, I become totally distracted with memories of my glorious youth in New Jersey. Then I become homesick and conjure up wistful thoughts of all the wonderful people and things I miss not living there. Then I crave boardwalk cotton candy or pizza. Then I drill a hole through my thumb, say: "The hell with it! I'm taking a break for lunch and a little first aid." I go in the house to eat (not cotton candy. Bummer!) and usually do not get back to my art studio for a few hours.
Maybe it's just me. But I really do think that music can enhance or detract from the creative process. So, maybe I ought never listen to Springteen when I create (better to listen to him when barreling down I-95, anyway...Just sayin'!) But, conversely, if I want to achieve a certain artistic result, I should listen to a certain genre of music. If I'm struggling with a piece of art, perhaps, a change of music would help.
A bit skeptical about my theory? Try an experiment for yourself. Notice it the next time you walk into a grocery store. What sort of music are they playing? How about when you hear a song from your youth playing on a TV commercial? Does it illicit a certain feeling, memories of who you were and where you were when the song was popular? I bet it does!
So how about you? Do you think music influences your art?
Maybe it's just me. But I really do think that music can enhance or detract from the creative process. So, maybe I ought never listen to Springteen when I create (better to listen to him when barreling down I-95, anyway...Just sayin'!) But, conversely, if I want to achieve a certain artistic result, I should listen to a certain genre of music. If I'm struggling with a piece of art, perhaps, a change of music would help.
A bit skeptical about my theory? Try an experiment for yourself. Notice it the next time you walk into a grocery store. What sort of music are they playing? How about when you hear a song from your youth playing on a TV commercial? Does it illicit a certain feeling, memories of who you were and where you were when the song was popular? I bet it does!
So how about you? Do you think music influences your art?