The Nerdist Playlist

by Chris Hardwick on July 17, 2008

For some reason, a question I get asked a lot is, "What music are you listening to, Chris Hardwick?" I find that I have been designated as one of those people that other people are magnetically drawn to using both the first AND last name in the vocative. It’s an easy question to answer because every year on my birthday I start a new playlist titled after my current age so I can keep track of my favorite songs of the year as a sort of musical diary because I am a teenage girl.

Here is a recent example

of said playlists that will give you the power to judge me:

I’m only half-way through "36" but so far there are appearances by Radiohead, Neko Case, Gary Glitter, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Love Spit Love, Cherry Ghost, Liam Finn and Fleet Foxes. Let’s all meet back here in a year to see how that one turned out.

Please feel free to add some suggestions to the comment thread for all to see, thereby giving The Nerdist a "communal feel."

Share and Enjoy:

22 comments

{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

Alycia July 17, 2008 at 4:59 pm: How about the Soviettes. I don’t think there together anymore, but they’ve got good midwestern rock. Or the Fratellis, they’re pretty awsome….

But I have a question, what indie game would you recomend?
Cass July 17, 2008 at 6:12 pm: I’m surprised “Flight Of The Conchords” isn’t in there…give the Scissor Sisters a try as well they’re an amazing band.
The Nerdist July 17, 2008 at 6:19 pm: Alycia: The Fratellis I’m hip to but I’ll check out the Soviettes for sure!

Cass: I have tons of FOTC, just not on the playlist. I also have the Scissor Sisters’ first album but not the second.

thanks for the suggestions!
Mandy July 17, 2008 at 7:41 pm: Check out Of Montreal ‘Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?’ and anything by The Phoenix Foundation is good for a chill vibe : )
Andy July 17, 2008 at 7:53 pm: I don’t know if the Crane Wife is the only Decemberists album you have but check out all their older ones as well. Especially the EP the Tain, thats my favorite. Its just one long song and its great.

I also very much enjoy Vampire Weekend.
Steve July 17, 2008 at 9:19 pm: that’s a totally kick ass idea.
Chris Barrus July 17, 2008 at 9:49 pm: I can’t recommend the new Raveonettes album “Lust Lust Lust” enough, but I’ll also throw in the mix I did for the Deconstruction Podcast. It’s at:
http://stroboscopic-deconstruction.blogspot.com/2008/06/deconstruction-vs-chris-barrus.html
Nick July 17, 2008 at 10:49 pm: Nicole Atkins & The Sea are amazing. Josh Ritter is also worth mentioning.

You have some pretty amazing stuff. Andrew Bird and Sufjan Stevens are like sex with less crying and clothes hangers.
Lizzie lulu July 18, 2008 at 8:21 am: I love you. Please marry me!
JET July 18, 2008 at 1:03 pm: For Grainer’s magnificent title theme for The Prisoner (which he then ripped off from himself and recycled for The Omega Man) and because you have Doves on there, I will tell you this:

Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid.

That is all.
The Nerdist July 18, 2008 at 2:00 pm: Yeeeees! I’ve heard great things about that Elbow album…You just reminded me to get it. Thanks…
Moggs Oceanlane July 20, 2008 at 12:42 pm: I just want to be a fan girl and say that I loved that post, particularly the intro. Thanks.

(This may be because I have friends who I can’t help but call by both names. I am personally referred to by a single name – but sometimes it’s the first, sometimes the last, sometimes a nickname and sometimes and expletitive).

Sadly, I feel the urge for such musical list making coming on – however, I shall blame the individual that pointed me to this blog.

Over and out…
Cass July 20, 2008 at 9:07 pm: Get the Scissor Sister’s second album. It is their swan song
Tim July 21, 2008 at 1:40 am: Why is everyone telling you what to listen to?
I think this memory playlist is a great idea. I turn 36 in December, maybe I’ll do it too.
h2o July 21, 2008 at 12:57 pm: Wow, Chris. Could I get more “gay” in the monitors, please?
The Nerdist July 21, 2008 at 5:20 pm: Now ya see, Henry, that seems judgey…but your Georgia sass is welcome here anytime.
annieyanger July 23, 2008 at 7:03 pm: Two words, Chris: Dan Deacon.
Suhaila July 30, 2008 at 10:36 am: Didn’t realize you were that old. Shoot you’re almost if not as old as Adam. That is, unless I missed something… But if it makes you feel better my bro and sis are still way older than you. I take comfort in that fact so feel free to do so as well. I love being a very long afterthought….
Musicnerdwanabe August 4, 2008 at 9:38 pm: i will suggest an easy one Beirut, these guys are a personal favorite of mine, been listening for year’s and still love there tunage!
The Nerdist August 4, 2008 at 10:37 pm: Thanks Musicnerd! I just itunes’d the Elephant Gun EP.
yillfog September 7, 2008 at 11:10 pm: check out Simple Kid
Sridhar Sarnobat September 9, 2008 at 11:40 am: I maintain annual m3u playlists too. But I don’t create them on my birthday. I just have a playlist for each year:
- 2008.m3u
- 2007.m3u
- 2006.m3u
etc.
(well, actually, I don’t use a calendar year but an academic year so end up calling them 2007-2008.m3u, 2006-2007.m3u)
I keep them in a folder called ‘Musical Journey’, and indeed you can relive the high and low emotions of those days through the music that you listed to at the time.