What dictates your music phases?

It seems to be partially based on the weather or the seasons for me, too. Time of day doesn’t count, because it’s not really a ‘phase’. I used to associate summer with ska/skatepunk, but now I listen to a lot of americana or 70’s pop and country on hot, summery days.

In fall, it’s indie and in winter, metal :)

moods, season, and daytime. like upholstry, i listen to ska and reggae in summer, folk during the fall, hip hop at night, etc.

My attitude from day to day decides my music.

Stressed out or not.

I’m like @spresto, it depends on my mood. I definitely listen to more blues and bluegrass though during summer and fall, usually when I’m sitting by a bonfire.

my mood

I listen to music as I sleep and have tags set up for that. The rest of the music is catagorized into tags I use to indulge in or alter specific moods; music is a daily part of my life.

I’m have but one musical phase…
On the first day of Spring, I play Jethro Tull’s Songs from The Wood..

@boffin: Interesting… my friends and I consider Songs from the Wood to be an Autumnal album, and “Solstice Bells” a reference to Winter Solstice in December.

My mood and the events in my life (such as whether or not I am in a relationship, and if things are going well or not) are usually what influences my music choices; but the seasons, weather, and the activity I’m involved in (e.g., driving, barbecuing, chilling with friends, etc.) also influence it. It may also depend on who has a new album out or an upcoming concert.

The other Solstice is Summer

@boffin: I am perfectly aware of that. The song just always seemed more wintery to me and the album autumnal as a collection.

I am just curious as to why my perception is one thing and yours is the seasonal opposite… it’s not a judgement of any sort. Do you live in the northern or southern hemisphere?

Northern…
Maybe I’m need to re-read the lyrics?
I’m always saw this album as a prelude to spring/summer..
Heck..
Maybe I’m dyslexic?

@boffin: Perhaps it’s me! Now I’m curious, but too tired to research now. I may have time tomorrow.

I agree with the season thing. Mood. Circumstance. Goals. So so many things

@boffin: “Solstice Bells” is in reference to the winter holiday season, and was included on the Jethro Tull Christmas Album. And an online reviewer said that he assumes he pulls the album out in the fall because of the cover art. That’s all I could find.

I also find myself listening to certain things in preparation for events. For example, a friend’s wedding is coming up, and I’ve been listening to cds that we had made when we were in high school (needless to say, the playlist is atrocious, but fun)

Personally I believe that the ears are at least as influential on the brain as the nose it. I’m assuming that everyone has heard all the science behind the human nose and how it can trigger memories as the inner nose is the only area on the human body where a type of brain matter exists outside of the skull.

So, given the complexity and and proximity of the ears in relation to the brain you’ll soon notice that the ears are another type of sensory organ that is very closely (physically close) to the brain.

As far as your music choices, it could be the change in hormone levels in your system at spring time. It could be the smells that arrive with Spring, the sound of the returning birds. Any one of these, and there are many more triggers that I haven’t mentioned, triggers can cause your nervous system to inform your brain that it’s Springtime and that the body needs the hormones and chemicals that it will need during the spring season.

Finally, it’s also entirely possible that it’s not just one sense that is flicking the “Springtime” switch in your brain but rather a combination of all the things I mentioned in this post as well as bodily instincts that doctors are not even aware of yet.

Long post eh? Well, I hope it answers your question.