I could do many different things with my time and money. Some of those things would not be minimalist. I could buy stuff. I could fill my schedule with busyness. Or I could do something that is simple and free. Listening to new music is a minimalist activity.
The way we listen to music has changed. I’ve always spent a good amount of time listening to music. I’ve always enjoyed discovering new music.
In the 1970s and 1980s, I listened to vinyl records. I simply listened without doing anything else. It was an experience to buy and album and play it. I still think about re-entering the world of vinyl someday. I know. It’s not very minimalist of me.
By the mid-1980s, I started playing cassette tapes in my car. I also started listening to music while I did other activities, like working around the house, writing poetry, exercising, or studying for college.
The 1990s brought CDs. As one who worked in a record store, I bought many CDs and got many for free as well. At one point I owned over 1200 CDS. My music collection was very diverse, and something I was proud of. But it started to weigh me down. So I let most of it go.
Now I own less than 100 CDs and counting.
The Music Listening Experience Has Changed
Listening to music can be a minimalist activity. We no longer have to buy records, tapes, or CDs. We simply need a computer, a tablet, or smart phone and a pair of decent headphones. Now we have access to millions of pieces of music at our fingertips… for free.
I used to spend hours in record stores. I would listen to new music and explore music. When I found something I really liked, I’d buy the recording. Now I can do the same thing in the comfort of my own home. And there is so much music to listen to, I’d rather keep exploring than buying any recording. It’s really an amazing new era.
Ways To Find New Music Online
When I want to find new and unique music to listen to online, I simply do a Google search. You’ll find some unique music when you use the terms minimalist or minimalism in your search. Here are a few examples:
- Minimalist house music
- Minimalist techno music
- Minimalism and pop
- Minimalism and jazz
- Minimalist electronic music
I’ve found a few great places for listening to new music. As I write this post, I’m listening to a show from New York City’s WNYC. Another great place for a variety of new music is Seattle’s KEXP. Finally, WXRT in Chicago has some great interviews with new musicians from the Midwest. Use the links below to explore and listen:
Listening To Music, Minimalism, And Productivity
Here’s the best part of listening to music as a way of supporting your minimalist lifestyle. You can be productive while listening to music.
Not only does listening to new music increase you knowledge and brain power, you can also work on other projects at the same time. For me, that’s a win-win scenario.
