In Greek mythology, the gods created the first woman – a “beautiful evil” – to spite Prometheus, who had stole fire from the god. They named her Pandora and gave her gifts of various kinds in order to make man’s life miserable. They also gave Pandora a box (or a jar, depending on who you’re talking to), which she opened – probably from curiosity, which wasn’t something the gods appreciated – and released all the evils of mankind into the world. Clearly, the Greeks weren’t keen on women, and clearly, the men were writing the mythology.
Whether or not Pandora released all evil on mankind, she did manage to lend her name to a much more worthy project – the Music Genome Project’s Pandora internet radio. The Project has been working for years on tagging and categorizing songs by their genre, rhythm, melody, composer, and many other fine-grained characteristics, and they’ve released these songs to the “musically curious”.
Imagine, for instance, that you’re having a party and want to play a variety of oldies, or soft jazz, or folk music, or metal. Simply go to Pandora’s website, “seed” a new station with the kind of song or artist you want it to play, and walk away. Pandora does a relatively good job of playing music in roughly the same category as the song you chose. Or, make a “QuickMix” from two or more already-existing radio stations. If you hear a song you don’t like or think should be in the mix, simply click the “thumbs down” to make sure you never hear it again.
Pandora is infinitely customizable, and it’s best to check it out on your own – it’s completely free. To get you started, check out the Pandora stations that some of our contributors have put together for your listening pleasure. Some are heavily seeded, some less stringently defined, but all of them are worth a try.
Sam Kho
Station Title: b. 1977- d. ???
Seeds: Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Iggy & the Stooges, Minor Threat, Sex Pistols, The Pretenders, The Ramones, Violent Femmes
Hooray for streaming radio. My first memory of radio was an analog knob thing with only AM, and my family got it from a yard sale – so it wasn’t even really mine. Now to have five radio stations of my very own! I like how Pandora proffers all the mind-expanding bands I could ever want, like Architecture in Helsinki. Talk about instant gratification!
Daniel Nayeri
Station Title: Tokyo Rose Radio
Seeds: Tokyo Rose, Fallout Boy, “Viva La Vida” (Coldplay)
This is my favorite station. The music is perfect for slamming into a port and cooking to. It gives the work some of the best aspects of video games, ballet, and a good old-fashioned knife fight (the ones where no one really gets cut and everyone goes to the malt shoppe after).
Rebecca Tirrell Talbot
Station Title: Neil Young Radio
Seeds: Destroyer, Iron & Wine, John Martyn, Magnolia Electric Co., Neil Young, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Band, Vic Chesnutt
When I am creating an assortment of music to listen to (or, having one created for me), usually the number one requirement is that I can listen to it while reading or writing. Enter Neil Young. I don’t know about you, but I never find Neil Young’s music lethargic or depressing – which is a rare find when you’re looking for music that isn’t jarring.
Jenni Simmons
Station Title: Band of Horses Radio
Seeds: Band of Horses
I gravitate to an eclectic array of music, and any definitive selection depends on my mood, the local weather, or even a song lodged in my brain, so choosing a favorite Pandora radio station is near impossible. However, the arrival of autumn had me playing Band of Horses radio quite often. I discovered this group via Pandora, actually, while listening to a different station. I was mesmerized by Bridwell’s vocals, the lush indie rock, and melodies that seem to mirror that particular autumn light. I tend to leave my MacBook open to Band of Horses radio (streaming the likes of My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Elliott Smith, Rilo Kiley, and Wilco) as I walk by with armloads of laundry, while doing dishes, or dusting various surfaces – I find that great music goes a long way with housework.
Annie Frisbie
Station Title: Sleater-Kinney Radio
Seeds: Sleater-Kinney
I like a “Subtle Use of Vocal Harmony” and “Electric Guitar Riffs” . . . at least when I’m listening to the Sleater Kinney station. It’s like my iPod, only I don’t know what’s on it, but I’m pretty sure that I’ll like it!
Christy Tennant
Station: Christy’s QuickMix
Seed: Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer
This is the music that inspires me and gets into my bones. Sometimes it’s because they say things I don’t have the words for, but I resound with. Sometimes it’s because they sing of romance that I’m not sure I believe in, but sure wish I did.
Alissa Wilkinson
Station Title: Pianissimo
Seeds: Goldberg Variations: “Aria” (J.S. Bach / Glenn Gould)
For me, this is hands-down the best station to put on when I’m trying to write. It’s made up entirely of classical solo piano, mostly Baroque, and is the perfect combination of soothing and stimulating. It also makes me want to drink tea.
