What I Listen to on the Trail
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 10
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Excellent video Dixie, as always! Pork and Beans, great pick! I also know what you mean about music helping you to push through. I would never have taken up running without it. I just wish I could find a way to make all my music mono so I could send it into one speaker without losing much fidelity while keeping my other ear fixed on the environment. When running, I'm thinking in terms of hearing cars or someone sneaking up on me. In the woods of NE/SE Ohio or Upstate New York I'm thinking of bears, or the mountain lion that once followed me in the Catskills (as rare as those situations are. Now I might start thinking of the rocks and deadly treks you spoke of (and how I hate heights in particular.
I listen to a lot of different types of music from oldies and classic rock to movie soundtracks. I particularly like listening to orchestrated music for the latter or my all-time favorite TV shows (e. g. Moving On, LAX, or There's No Place Like Home from Lost [Michael Giacchino], or The Buffalo Hunt from Dances with Wolves [John Barry]. If it's a soundtrack in particular, good music alone won't cut it; it has to immerse me in my favorite show, even if I don't watch much tv. It's just like your soundtrack for the thru hike, but instead of being tied to a vicarious experience you're associating the music with the real thing. Lately I've been listening to music I thought I'd never be into: the Swedish band ABBA! I can't believe the quality of their songwriting and studio performances. There's The Beatles, and right under them, believe it or not, I place ABBA! So if you're looking for suggestions, there you go.
I think you would like ABBA for one reason in particular. While the music industry has it's cookie cutter way of doing things, ABBA did it their way. Most older music and music produced today (unlike a fair amount of 60's, 70's and 80's music) was written by professional songwriters (and not struggling musicians. The music was cranked out as quickly as possible, and then extensive touring ensued to promote album sales in order to make as much money as possible. I heard Buddy Holly first tried breaking the mold (and look what happened to him; . ABBA refused to do that, however. Instead of touring most of time and trying to find moments to write or outsource the writing to someone else, they worked on their songs themselves until they loved them, and since they worked at their music company, and later for themselves as partners, they could afford to do that. Benny, the keyboardist, said that he would get together in a cabin on an island with ABBA guitar player/lyricist (Bjorn) and they'd work on a song for weeks (sometimes longer. They did this full-time each day. He once took the time to study their historical productivity and estimated that they produced about 3 minutes of good music per month. In fact, they spent so much time doing this that they didn't tour nearly as much as most bands. The fact is that they had families and hated being on the road away from their children, so they decided to capitalize on television appearances instead. Of course, the music industry in the U. S. in the 1970's and now heavily promote touring, so music moguls who didn't own their label sort of blacklisted ABBA in the U. S. who wanted to do things their way, but the rest of the world outside of the United States embraced them so much they've sold over 300 million albums worldwide! Who'd have guessed that? Not me. I thought they were just a small act, but they were around for ten years constantly writing hit after hit THEIR way. I thought you might appreciate that.
Anyway, I've gone on entirely too long (ABBA or otherwise. Thanks again for more great content and inspirational videos.
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Excellent video Dixie, as always! Pork and Beans, great pick! I also know what you mean about music helping you to push through. I would never have taken up running without it. I just wish I could find a way to make all my music mono so I could send it into one speaker without losing much fidelity while keeping my other ear fixed on the environment. When running, I'm thinking in terms of hearing cars or someone sneaking up on me. In the woods of NE/SE Ohio or Upstate New York I'm thinking of bears, or the mountain lion that once followed me in the Catskills (as rare as those situations are. Now I might start thinking of the rocks and deadly treks you spoke of (and how I hate heights in particular.
I listen to a lot of different types of music from oldies and classic rock to movie soundtracks. I particularly like listening to orchestrated music for the latter or my all-time favorite TV shows (e. g. Moving On, LAX, or There's No Place Like Home from Lost [Michael Giacchino], or The Buffalo Hunt from Dances with Wolves [John Barry]. If it's a soundtrack in particular, good music alone won't cut it; it has to immerse me in my favorite show, even if I don't watch much tv. It's just like your soundtrack for the thru hike, but instead of being tied to a vicarious experience you're associating the music with the real thing. Lately I've been listening to music I thought I'd never be into: the Swedish band ABBA! I can't believe the quality of their songwriting and studio performances. There's The Beatles, and right under them, believe it or not, I place ABBA! So if you're looking for suggestions, there you go.
I think you would like ABBA for one reason in particular. While the music industry has it's cookie cutter way of doing things, ABBA did it their way. Most older music and music produced today (unlike a fair amount of 60's, 70's and 80's music) was written by professional songwriters (and not struggling musicians. The music was cranked out as quickly as possible, and then extensive touring ensued to promote album sales in order to make as much money as possible. I heard Buddy Holly first tried breaking the mold (and look what happened to him; . ABBA refused to do that, however. Instead of touring most of time and trying to find moments to write or outsource the writing to someone else, they worked on their songs themselves until they loved them, and since they worked at their music company, and later for themselves as partners, they could afford to do that. Benny, the keyboardist, said that he would get together in a cabin on an island with ABBA guitar player/lyricist (Bjorn) and they'd work on a song for weeks (sometimes longer. They did this full-time each day. He once took the time to study their historical productivity and estimated that they produced about 3 minutes of good music per month. In fact, they spent so much time doing this that they didn't tour nearly as much as most bands. The fact is that they had families and hated being on the road away from their children, so they decided to capitalize on television appearances instead. Of course, the music industry in the U. S. in the 1970's and now heavily promote touring, so music moguls who didn't own their label sort of blacklisted ABBA in the U. S. who wanted to do things their way, but the rest of the world outside of the United States embraced them so much they've sold over 300 million albums worldwide! Who'd have guessed that? Not me. I thought they were just a small act, but they were around for ten years constantly writing hit after hit THEIR way. I thought you might appreciate that.
Anyway, I've gone on entirely too long (ABBA or otherwise. Thanks again for more great content and inspirational videos.
reply
Bill
I don't know if JM aka Dixie gets a chance to read all the comments since there are no long rainy spells in the southwest with zero days to catch up (like when tropical storms hit the AT. I've now watched all the AT, PCT and up to date on CDT. We have several mutual hiker friends from the long trails each year (Starcrunch/Leigh, Pano/Andrew, PFunk from Auburn, Michigan Matt, etc. The great thing about Jessica is that she is so genuine all the time. She records whether she is on a high or feeling low and has the courage to share that. Aaron just keeps getting better and better as an editor - and totally amazing as a newbie hiker! Reeling 72 in a stretch is akin to what a Creek or Cherokee would do on foot to deliver a serious message to the next valley town (I'm sure other tribes did the same but I only know the history of those two southern tribes! Being a guy from Bama, I was blown away by the west but no more than New Mexico and was fortunate to spend many a trip exploring. It's just different there and always seems to touch people in a spiritual way. Ala Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, if anyone is old enough to remember that iconic book. Dixie is doing the same via VBlog. I know Dixie and Aaron will catch up with Perk, cuz they must decide how to do the reroute in northern NM and southwest CO due to wildfires - Jemez or Sangre de Christo routes?
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I don't know if JM aka Dixie gets a chance to read all the comments since there are no long rainy spells in the southwest with zero days to catch up (like when tropical storms hit the AT. I've now watched all the AT, PCT and up to date on CDT. We have several mutual hiker friends from the long trails each year (Starcrunch/Leigh, Pano/Andrew, PFunk from Auburn, Michigan Matt, etc. The great thing about Jessica is that she is so genuine all the time. She records whether she is on a high or feeling low and has the courage to share that. Aaron just keeps getting better and better as an editor - and totally amazing as a newbie hiker! Reeling 72 in a stretch is akin to what a Creek or Cherokee would do on foot to deliver a serious message to the next valley town (I'm sure other tribes did the same but I only know the history of those two southern tribes! Being a guy from Bama, I was blown away by the west but no more than New Mexico and was fortunate to spend many a trip exploring. It's just different there and always seems to touch people in a spiritual way. Ala Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, if anyone is old enough to remember that iconic book. Dixie is doing the same via VBlog. I know Dixie and Aaron will catch up with Perk, cuz they must decide how to do the reroute in northern NM and southwest CO due to wildfires - Jemez or Sangre de Christo routes?
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StormLaker1975
When I am spending time in the woods, I definitely have a 'no electronics policy. There's just something to be said about being able to let your senses take in everything around you. I can see on a long hike where you are on more well groomed trail, it wouldn't be bad to have an iPod, but I'm one of those people who goes to wild places to get away from the noise and congestion of the city. Silence is worth its weight in gold- the sound of the wind in the pines, water hitting the side of my canoe, paddle strokes, and the occasional call of a loon are what I yearn for.
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When I am spending time in the woods, I definitely have a 'no electronics policy. There's just something to be said about being able to let your senses take in everything around you. I can see on a long hike where you are on more well groomed trail, it wouldn't be bad to have an iPod, but I'm one of those people who goes to wild places to get away from the noise and congestion of the city. Silence is worth its weight in gold- the sound of the wind in the pines, water hitting the side of my canoe, paddle strokes, and the occasional call of a loon are what I yearn for.
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Live2hike
That's funny you mentioned 'We didn't start the fire'. when I was in grade 5 (and we're talking pre-internet years) our teacher had us research and write a paragraph for each name, event, etc. that is mentioned in that song. it was horrible and took pretty much the entire year. and I still remember most of the words. I usually just do week long trips so I don't tend to listen to music but I do have a running playlist in my head and I know what you mean how some songs motivate!
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That's funny you mentioned 'We didn't start the fire'. when I was in grade 5 (and we're talking pre-internet years) our teacher had us research and write a paragraph for each name, event, etc. that is mentioned in that song. it was horrible and took pretty much the entire year. and I still remember most of the words. I usually just do week long trips so I don't tend to listen to music but I do have a running playlist in my head and I know what you mean how some songs motivate!
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Izzy
I'm one of those epic music people too! XD haha. it just motivates me! When I worked at the gym and worked out after closing, I'd just blast that through the speakers.
However. I like to mix it up and listen to all kinds of different music! depends on the day, and my mood what I like at any given moment.
Mostly though when I'm hiking I always have my pup with me, so I can't listen to anything other than her getting into trouble
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I'm one of those epic music people too! XD haha. it just motivates me! When I worked at the gym and worked out after closing, I'd just blast that through the speakers.
However. I like to mix it up and listen to all kinds of different music! depends on the day, and my mood what I like at any given moment.
Mostly though when I'm hiking I always have my pup with me, so I can't listen to anything other than her getting into trouble
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Leann
I have to agree, music definitely can make an already-great experience, even better. I did a 6-day bike ride across Michigan (Peddle Across Lower Michigan) a few years ago. I definitely listened to nature, silence and road noise. But. when it got hard, music really boosted my mood, and I found I enjoyed the whole experience a lot more, listening to my favorite tunes.
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I have to agree, music definitely can make an already-great experience, even better. I did a 6-day bike ride across Michigan (Peddle Across Lower Michigan) a few years ago. I definitely listened to nature, silence and road noise. But. when it got hard, music really boosted my mood, and I found I enjoyed the whole experience a lot more, listening to my favorite tunes.
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Erick
I listened to the whole A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones books) while hiking. Nothing like people getting killed left and right in bear country. There are the Dunk and Egg series and World of Ice and Fire that is all set in the same world.
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I listened to the whole A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones books) while hiking. Nothing like people getting killed left and right in bear country. There are the Dunk and Egg series and World of Ice and Fire that is all set in the same world.
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Sargeist
Try the following bands:
Wonders of nature
Caladen brood
Winterfylleth
Burzum
Obviously very different music than what you normally listen to. Lol. But this music is a mix of serene and intense.
reply
Try the following bands:
Wonders of nature
Caladen brood
Winterfylleth
Burzum
Obviously very different music than what you normally listen to. Lol. But this music is a mix of serene and intense.
reply
kellyk9101
Thanks for the suggestions! If you're interested in learning a new language, primarily by listening, check out Coffee Break Spanish ( or whichever language you're interested in. It's been great for me!
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Thanks for the suggestions! If you're interested in learning a new language, primarily by listening, check out Coffee Break Spanish ( or whichever language you're interested in. It's been great for me!
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Sunshine
For a cheap alternative to Audible, YouTube has a wide selection of audio books for free.
Of course if you don't have a cell signal you would need to download it. I'm not sure how much that costs.
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For a cheap alternative to Audible, YouTube has a wide selection of audio books for free.
Of course if you don't have a cell signal you would need to download it. I'm not sure how much that costs.
reply
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