There’s an incredibly detailed Spotify playlist chronicling almost every piece of music Haruki Murakami owns physically or has mentioned in his novels. Indulge yourself in a smorgasbord of jazz, pop, rock, classical and everything else in between.
The acclaimed writer, author of books such as The Wind-Up bird Chronicle and Norwegian Wood, has a collection of at least 10,000 vinyl records in his home, the majority of which are jazz albums.
Oscar Peterson, The Beach Boys, Thelonious Monk, Chet Baker and more – get lost in this Spotify playlist chronicling almost every album that Japanese cult author Haruki Murakami owns.
The playlist contains songs from various interviews and Q&A sessions, as well as songs from a website that has since been taken down, Murakami San No Tokoro.
Legend has it the author has seven iPods, each containing anywhere between 1,000 – 2,000 songs that he listens to while writing or running, another activity central to the writer’s life.
Oddly enough, Murakami initially had no interest in pursuing literature. Instead, after graduating from Waseda University, he opened a jazz bar in Tokyo, and what was “his thing” for a while.
“Rather than learning storytelling technique from someone, I’ve taken a musical approach, while being very conscious about rhythms, harmony and improvisation.”
He also recently announced, in his first press conference in 37 years, that he will be donating his records to Waseda University.
So, next time you’re stuck trying to write that 10,000 word novel or you just need something to zone out to while working, check out this playlist. The smooth skills of Oscar Peterson and other legends will have you working away in no time.
Via Open Culture.
