Music

Q: What kind of music do you like? A: It really depends on my mood and what I'm doing. If I'm working, I put on something instrumental — lo-fi or piano pieces — because lyrics pull my attention away from whatever I'm writing. Outside of work, though, I gravitate towards indie and alternative rock, and I've got a handful of artists I go back to constantly rather than exploring endlessly. Q: Have your tastes changed? A: Quite a bit, yes. As a teenager I only really listened to whatever was popular at the time, mostly because that's what my friends were into. Now it's more personal — I actively search out music rather than just absorbing whatever's around me, and I'm far less embarrassed to admit I like something unfashionable. Q: Do you play any instrument? A: I learned the guitar for a couple of years as a kid, though I wouldn't say I was ever any good at it. I can still strum a few basic chords if pushed, but I never practised enough to get properly fluent, and it's one of those skills that's mostly faded from lack of use.