Mary Belzer

I’m a maker in Denver, Colorado. I work in software development, and all of my free time is either spent on the mountain or being creative! I knit as well as sew garments, quilts and other housewares. Outside of these things, my background is in audio production and music. I have a degree in Audio Aesthetics and Technology, and I’ve been a musician and critical music listener my whole life.

What influence does music have in your life as a creative?:

Music is connected to everything in my life! I choose my music and listening style based on what I’m trying to accomplish.

If I’m trying to get inspired, I lay on my basement floor either with headphones or in front of my stereo setup and really critically listen to an album start to finish. This usually puts me in a productive creative mindset, and the album choice helps me go where I want to go.

If i’m trying to knock out difficult tasks, I put on something lower-energy. Higher BPM and more instrumentation scrambles my brain too much to work on something complex.

When I’m cruising on a project and my direction is clear, I opt for party music. My definition of party music is pretty broad – this can mean indie electronic, rap, bedroom pop, crunchy guitars, the list goes on.

If I’m home, there is always music on in my house.

Tell us about your playlist:

I’m not great at playlists – I’m an album listener. But I’m also passionate about sharing the tracks and artists I love. So for this playlist, I tried to mimic my emotional progression on a typical making journey.

I start slow. I need some calm comfort to get me through figuring out the beginning of a project. Modest Mouse’s “Gravity Rides Everything” makes me feel something physical in my chest every time I listen to it – it immediately brings me to a place of empathy which is exactly where I need to be to feel out a project.

Once I gear up, I like to get a little more intense. This is where the garage rock comes in. I’m really into this grunge-y movement coming out of Australia right now, so I’ve added in Camp Cope’s “The Opener” and Hockey Dad’s “Germaphobe”. These songs amp me up and get my adrenaline flowing.

At some point in the project, I hit a wall. I get down on myself. So this where the sad songs come in. Jeff Buckley’s “Lover You Should Have Come Over” breaks me every time I hear it. And Car Seat Headrests “There Must Be More Than Blood” (their best song on their most recent record IMO) serves as a nice transition to the next phase.

I’m back on the upswing. There’s a long section in the middle here which I call “Songs I know All The Words To.” When I’m really in a groove, I want to belt out comforting songs in my craft room while I’m making. Rilo Kiley’s “It’s a Hit” makes me feel like I’m right on track. Pure Prairie League’s “Amie” reminds me of my Dad. The Mighty Pines “Midwestern Guy” reminds me of home (I’m from St. Louis, Missouri!).

Towards the end of the project, I’m ready to celebrate. I gear up with Thundercat’s “A Fan’s Mail” and Blood Orange’s “Best to You” to get my head right. Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” and Kim Petras’ “I Don’t Want It At All” get me on top of the world. And Remi Wolf’s “Disco Man” and CHIKA’s “Crown” bring it home.