Finding Your Frequency: Music Recommendations for a Creative Life
By Elena — Creative soul, gentle heart. Let's make something beautiful together. ·
May in Portland feels like a long-held breath finally being released. The rain has slowed to a soft mist, the ferns are unfurling with such deliberate intensity, and my studio—well, the corner of my apartment where the light hits the drafting table just right—is full of dust motes dancing in the afternoon sun.
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately just listening. Not background noise while I sketch, but really sitting with music. As an illustrator, my work is so visual, so tactile, that I often forget how much of my internal landscape is actually built on sound. When I was at RISD, we used to trade playlists like currency. Now, at twenty-five, the way I curate my soundscape feels less like a performance and more like a necessary act of grounding.
If you’re feeling a bit untethered, or if you’re looking for that specific frequency to help you create, here is what has been living in my headphones lately.
The Art of the 'Deep Work' Soundscape
When I’m working on a commission—especially when I’m doing fine-line ink work—I need music that feels like a conversation without needing to say a word. I’ve found that lyrics often clutter my mental workspace. Instead, I lean into neoclassical ambient or minimalist piano.
My current obsession is Nils Frahm. There is a fragility to his compositions that resonates with the way I like to draw. It’s not perfect; you can hear the creak of the piano bench, the intake of breath. It reminds me that beauty doesn't have to be polished to be profound.
Actionable Tip: If you struggle with focus, stop reaching for your 'Top Hits' playlist. Try building a 'low-information' playlist. Look for artists like Hania Rani or Ryuichi Sakamoto. Focus on instrumental tracks that maintain a consistent tempo. If your heartbeat syncs with the rhythm, your mind will naturally settle into a flow state.
Melancholy as a Creative Catalyst
There’s a misconception that we should only listen to 'upbeat' music to feel inspired. But as an Enneagram 4, I know that my best ideas usually come from that quiet, slightly melancholic space. Sometimes, you need to lean into the mood rather than fight it.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Big Thief lately. Adrianne Lenker has this way of observing the world—a 'vulture' of raw, human details—that mirrors how I try to approach illustration. She finds the magic in the mundane, in the way a shadow hits a fence or the memory of a house. When I listen to her, I’m reminded that being sensitive isn’t a weakness; it’s the raw material for everything we make.
The Morning Ritual: Waking Up with Intent
Poe, my greyhound, is very specific about his mornings. He likes a slow start, three minutes of stretching, and then a very deliberate pace around the neighborhood. I’ve started matching my morning routine to his. Instead of checking my emails with a frantic cup of coffee, I put on some soft, mid-century jazz—Chet Baker or Bill Evans.
It changes the entire trajectory of the day. When you start with something deliberate and beautiful, you carry that intentionality into your freelance work, your barista shifts, and your interactions with strangers.
Actionable Tip: Create a 'Transition Playlist.' Don't use your phone as an alarm clock if you can help it. Instead, have a playlist ready to go that is exactly 15 minutes long—the time it takes to make your coffee and wake up. When the music ends, you start your day. It’s a sensory cue that helps delineate 'rest' from 'work.'
Curating Your Own Collection
I think the greatest gift we can give ourselves is the autonomy to define our own tastes. Don’t listen to what the algorithm tells you is 'trending.' Listen to what makes your chest feel a little lighter, or what makes you want to pick up a pen and draw, even if it’s just a scribble on a napkin.
Music is just another way of seeing the world. Whether it’s the grit of a lo-fi guitar or the expansive reach of a cello, it’s all just data for the soul.
I’d love to know what’s been on your rotation lately. Is there a song that makes you feel like you can finally breathe? Or a record that feels like home? Let’s talk about it in the comments. I’m always looking for new sounds to fill the quiet corners of my studio.
Stay beautiful, and keep creating. I’m here if you want to swap some songs or talk about the way art and sound intersect. See you in the comments?