Cartier Coco

Guitarist and Audio Engineer Pat McCusker’s “Active Listening” Playlist

’s band), producer, and audio engineer (the sharp ear behind our 

 podcasts) deeply believes in the act of “active listening.”

“It’s a very simple idea that my friends and I started a few years ago,” McCusker says. “It’s something that’s so rarely practiced in our busy lives these days. ‘Active listening’ means you just sit and listen to music—and that’s it. Do nothing else. So often, we listen to music 

doing something, whether it’s cooking, running, driving, or if we’re at a restaurant or a party—it’s always second to whatever we’re doing. But to actually 

tune your ears to the music you’re listening to is important and essential. My friends and I wanted to make it a primary thing. There’s something really magical in that act of just sitting, closing your eyes, and listening.”

 that’s intended for engaging your ears:

“Niandou,” Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal

“Canyon in the Rain,” Jonathan Wilson

“Feel Like Makin’ Love,” D’Angelo

Give it a go. Or, as the countercultural psychologist and writer Timothy Leary advised, “Tune in, turn on, drop out.”

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