A year ago, our web editor Mike asked nine local musicians to "pick six." (It was almost literally that open ended.) The result of said request was an interesting window into the souls and iPods of local musicians we admire. And as a musician myself, I'm always intrigued by what others listen to. So I asked a bunch more to take part, and here's three of them:

Jeff White
solo

Monsters of Folk: Yim Yames, Conor Oberst, M. Ward & Mike Mogis (I think the band should call Neko Case and ask her kindly to be their honorary fifth member.)

Tom Waits (Pure art. Hypnotic tribal rhythms and strange dreamscapes. The combination with strong coffee makes the perfect springboard for a creative day ahead. Adventure songs and Halloween music.)

The Dead Milkmen (My all-time favorite EC show. Davies Center. Council Fire Room. 1990.)

Townes Van Zant (A songwriter’s songwriter. As real as it gets. I highly recommend the documentary Heartworn Highways. Put it in your queue right now.)

Maggi, Pierce & E.J. (One of my favorite bands of all time and hilarious tour partners! Buy all of their albums. You’re welcome.)

The Pines (Dark folk/blues ballads and seductive tones with Bo Ramsey co-producing is a gorgeous combination.)

Faith Ulwelling
Left Wing Bourbon

Stevie Wonder (He is hands down the greatest musical talent of our time. The man fits notes where there is no room, and sometimes I think he creates new ones. As a singer, he is at the top of my aspiration tier. He can do anything with his voice.)

John Hiatt (Hiatt’s songwriting ability is unmatched. He is a master of imagery and emotion in his music. Try playing Hiatt Comes Alive at Budokan or Walk On while driving down a country road on a sunny day; it can make a person feel alive.)

Dave Matthews Band (Well, they are just my favorite band; innovative mix of genres, consistently powerful inspiring arrangements and lyrics, great rhythm guitar, great vocals, great licks, incredible drummer, add a violin, sax, and a sweet back-up vocal section … awe inspiring.)

Pantera (They have always been one of my favorite bands. Pantera = dynamite for your ears.)

Betty Davis (She was the original dirty diva of funk. She was nasty, raunchy, and raw, and backed by the best including Larry Graham, Willie Sparks, the Tower of Power horn section, and the Pointer Sisters among a few.)

Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (They are a perfectly smooth energetic blend of funk, NOLA R&B, Dixieland jazz, and awesome, which rarely leaves my disc player.)

Jason Sunde
Daredevil Christopher Wright

For a while now, one of the first qualities that has affected my interest in a new record is whether or not the band is called Deerhoof. They make such interesting sounds, go so many places in almost no time, and mostly hold it all together with perfect playful pop sensibility while also being drop dead cute. Here are five picks from a live album that you can get for free on their website right now. You have no excuse not to listen to it at deerhoofvsevil.com.

The Perfect Me (So good.)

Flower (Fun!)

The Tears and Music of Love (Head banger.)

The Merry Barracks (Especially if you like bass guitar.)

Desaparèce (Maybe my favorite. the version on the album kills.)

I've gotta save one spot for my other favorite band of recent time. They made two incredible albums and then I heard rumors they're breaking up. I hope not. That's sad, but aren't some of the most beautiful things also very transient? It's Cryptacize. I love love love everything they've done but this one really sticks with me. Nedelle Torirsi has a voice wrapped in chocolate. Chris Cohen's guitar work and singing are impeccable. Their restraint and intelligence so tantalizing. 

The Loving Sun from Mythomania

You might want to buy the entire catalogs of these bands.