What do you stream for background sound?

Cafe Society
1

You’re studying or reading or busy in your home and want some background sound from the tv, what do you pick?

Ideally I look for something I have seen before so I can ignore it, but something I liked enough so it doesn’t bother me. The problem is streaming services typically have only the newest shows or films or at least recent anyway and I haven’t seen it.

If I put anything on from Netflix for background I’ll have to watch it and stop what I am doing or turn it off.

So, no bueno.

I’ve been going to YouTube for stuff like THIS but there has to be something better.

That’s where you come in.

2

I just let YouTube music run on my TV for background since they already know what I like and I sometimes stop and hear something I hadn’t heard before or something I hadn’t heard of in years.

3

I like Explosions in the Sky for working.

4

When I work from home I always have NPR on in the background.

5

I can’t do anything brain-intensive while there are voices going on - my brain latches onto thinking about the words being spoken. My favorite music for working is Morkins​á​lmar, an album by an Icelandic duo. They describe it as “wintery dungeon synth.” It’s very soothing - melancholy but not mournful, icy but comfortable. Track three, “V​æ​ttavals,” is my favorite. It means “Wight Waltz” and for me it vividly conjures images of faded, solemn, stately specters dancing slowly in a frozen grove.

6

I just put my Spotify “Liked” list on shuffle and a low volume. It’s ~250 songs and I’m obviously going to generally like anything that comes up. If I decide I want more variety, there’s an option to inject new suggestions into there as well.

7

I listen to various podcasts (see one of the many “what are you favourite podcast?” threads for suggestions).

8

Classical piano music, usually Chopin Nocturnes and Rach Preludes. Also Native American inspired music, generally featuring Native American flutes and/or drums. Through Sonos, not TV though.

9

If I’m reading or studying, I prefer quiet.

If I’m doing something on the computer and I want background noise, I’ll usually play music on the other computer.

10

Depends on what I’m doing. If I really need to concentrate I’ll put on some spanish guitar or nuevo flamenco. I don’t have a drop of Spanish or Hispanic blood, just really enjoy the style. If it’s a day like today, I’m in the office and it’s pretty slow, so I’m listening to Joe Bonamassa. For some reason I find ZZ Top my go to cooking music.

11

KCSM Jazz Radio out of San Francisco (San Mateo, actually).

12

True Crime Podcasts!
True Crime Garage, My Favorite Murder, RedHanded and Morbid are my go to’s for bus rides, chores and errands. :hocho::hocho::hocho:

13

Depending on my mood, I’ve got about probably 20 different playlists on YouTube Music. They’re usually songs that I know already fairly well so it’s not a problem to have them playing in the background. Occasionally, if I’m doing mind numbing, repetitive work, I’ll put in an audio book to listen to. Hubby always has to have either a YouTube videos that he’s familiar with (a lot of old Loading Ready Run stuff) or episodes of shows he’s seen a million times (read: Poirot, Miss Marple, Phryne Fisher, things like that). Not sure what the kids do for background, since they always have their headphones on.

14

I don’t like background sound if I’m trying to work or read and I hate having a tv on unless I’m watching a program. When I’m listening to music, I usually have pandora shuffle all my stations, it makes for crazy mixes.

15

There’s a really nice ad-free infinite stream on YouTube called LoFiGirl. It’s an endless stream of instrumental downtempo EDM. Very pleasant and relaxing.

One reason I like it is that it doesn’t seem to repeat, and all the songs sound the same, so there aren’t any hooks, lyrics, or quirks to catch my attention. Just an endless stream of pleasant undifferentiated sonic Valium.

16

I like the semi-revival of classic Rock station KISN. Available to stream here.

Loads of rarely played oldies, old-time ads and such.

17

WVLI “The Valley” out of Kankakee, IL. Available to stream here.

They play a little bit of everything, from the Andrews Sisters to ZZ Top.

18

When I’m in the shop building stuff, I generally have WITH radio on. They have a couple of locally produced music shows, some interviews with acts touring the area, and a bunch of music that the hosts just like, followed by World Cafe.

Saturday and Sunday I’ve got NPR on at the house.

19

I do the same thing for studying or for zoning out and drawing. I have a playlist called Draw, Pard’ner…

A combination of well-worn instrumentals (classical, jazz and hippie stuff), and songs that I’ve played so many times over decades that I don’t have to listen to the lyrics, or the music.

Now, if it’s work/art that doesn’t take any writing or other concentration, then I can listen to audiobooks while I draw.

And I go through a lot of books, because my favorite thing to do is sit in a coffee joint/diner/bar where I don’t know anyone, plug in earbuds and my 003 Pigma pens, and draw a cathedral in perspective (or, yeah, easier stuff sometimes).

I just looked, and I finished four long audiobooks* this week (an average of almost five hours a day).
*And three of them were worth it…

20

Trying it now. It is very pleasant!