Highway music
by Sean-Paul Boynton
Illustration by James Paton.
Ah, the open road. Summer is here, which means it’s the perfect time to pack a bag, grab some friends and hop in the car for a journey to…well, wherever you’d like. But whether the trip is short or long, one ingredient must always be present in order to spice up your adventure: the perfect soundtrack.
The right music can keep you alert during an all-day drive, or calm you down when winding your way through those dangerous mountain roads. It can also bond you with your travel-mates through a rousing sing-a-long, causing you all to forget about last night’s drama in the hotel room. If music is the soundtrack to your life, then why wouldn’t you want some sweet tunes to play during what could otherwise be a mundane and exhausting experience?
The Reflector went throughout Wyckham House and the Liberty Lounge – and even stopped students in their tracks on Main Street – to ask as many people as possible what music they’ll be listening to this summer on the road. The results were varied and wide-ranging, but could probably make a perfect playlist for your iPod.
Sarah White Business Fourth year
“I like listening to hip-hop, because if you focus on the words, it’s like a story, and that keeps you alert and takes your mind off the road.”
Jayden Philips Computer information systems First year
“I just turn on the radio. It doesn’t really matter what station, it sort of depends on where you are in the trip. If you’re close to Calgary, you can turn it onto the rock station and celebrate your return!”
Josh Geck Computer information systems First year
“Jack Johnson is really chill and mellow, so I like that. I don’t like to party a lot when I’m driving, just sit back and enjoy the calmness of it.”
Marie Pollock Journalism Third year
“I love listening to the Mama Mia soundtrack, or Rent, so I can sing along to it.”
Sarah Pickering Open studies First year
“Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is great driving music, because there’s some ambient parts, some vocal parts, and it makes you relaxed when you’re going through those huge turns through the mountains.”
Mia Koegler Open studies First year
“I love Simon and Garfunkle; it’s really happy, and you can sing along to it. Me and [Sarah Pickering] are both singers, so we harmonize along with them. So much fun!”
Bryce Chernecki Computer information systems Fifth year
“There’s this guy from the U.K. called Dub FX, and he sort of does beatboxing, music with his mouth, but with synths and stuff. It’s just really interesting and sounds cool, so I’m not thinking about the road.”
Angie Herman Social work First year
“Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, other country stuff is really easy and relaxing to listen to. Also older stuff like Aqua and the Spice Girls is fun to sing along to: everyone knows the words, so we can sing as loud as we want!”
Nori Sinclair Journalism Third year
“If it’s a sunny day, Bob Marley does just fine.”
Thomas Boudreau Bachelor of arts Second year
“Wavves is my favourite, they’re like a lo-fi noise band. It just washes over you and you can put it in the background, you don’t have to think about it too much.”
Mike Giesbrecht Open studies First year
“I really like Black Mountain, they’re really folky, like Ladyhawk, and they have long songs that you can get lost in. It just creates an atmospheric background that I don’t have to pay attention to.”
Jessica Pfitscher Spanish Second year
“‘Summer of ‘69’ by Bryan Adams! But also a lot of ‘70s stuff, like Marvin Gaye [starts singing ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’]. I just like it to be easy-going and fun, ‘cause I want to be alert. Rock keeps me going.”
Cari Allen Nursing First year
“I gotta have a ‘90s mix going, especially the Spice Girls. Anyone who says they didn’t love the Spice Girls is lying.”
Grace Lee Open studies First year
“Velvet Underground man, for sure. It’s just so expansive and free. Also Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, for the same reasons.”
Kylie Robertson Journalism Third year
“The Hives: they can’t sing, so I can sing along.”
Bob Jones Open studies First year
“Gotta go with CCR: nice melodies, it’s calm, and it’s very steady in its progression, just like driving.”
Kent Duthie Sciences First year
“You can never go wrong with some Beatles. I like Wings, and Journey absolutely. And if you’re really in need of a boost, a little Billy Idol never hurt anybody!”
