Tim Westergren, Founder of Pandora.com
Music is a key component to creating the atmosphere of your shower. Tim Westergren founder of Pandora.com talks about the impact of music and how you can create a “station” personalized for your shower.
Why Can’t I Just Flip on My Favorite FM Station?
Have you ever noticed that certain songs come on the radio and suddenly you’re transported to a different time and place? Or a different mood? Music has an almost magical power to trigger our emotions, so it’s important to give careful thought to the music you choose for your shower.
“Music determines the ambiance of a party. The location and music are neck and neck in giving the event its flavor,” says Tim Westergren, musician and founder of Pandora.com. “Whether orchestral or Motown funk, music is the signature of the occasion. I’ve never been to an event where music hasn’t been a big presence.”
“All our memories are wrapped in music,” Tim continues, “it takes you back to places in a spiritual way, especially if it’s a shared event – a reunion or something – where everyone shares the music. It’s a unique art form that everyone can have in common and be connected to.”
There’s no question that the music you choose for your shower will be associated directly with the occasion in your guest’s memories – so it’s important that you choose music that reflects the personality of the party. Which, of course, should be a direct reflection of the personality of the Mother- or Bride-to-Be. You might love jazz, but if she’s a country-western fan, put away your Duke Ellington CDs.
“Don’t guess,” Westergren advises, “make sure you know the musical tastes of your guest of honor. Ask the Mother- or Bride-to-Be what her favorite song is and build around that.”
Pulling it Off with Style
But, Westergren cautions that the real challenge for hostesses will be finding a source of music that can take of itself. You’ll have plenty to do the day of the party; you don’t want to be running back and forth to the CD changer to load music. Assuming, that is, that you can gather together a collection of CDs that will please the guest of honor in the first place. You can hire someone else to handle the music if you have the budget for it, use the music stations offered by your cable channel, or set up an online radio station using a service like Pandora.
Hostesses that can afford a D.J. should make sure their D.J. owns the type of music that appeals to the guest of honor and has a clear understanding of what should be played during the party. If you can find a D.J. that specializes in the musical genre you’re requesting, you’ll probably be happier with the results and spend less money – variety D.J.s tend to be more expensive because they have to buy more music and spend more time learning about the different types of music they carry. Still, it’s very important to set clear expectations up front so the D.J. delivers what you want. You’ll also want to discuss whether or not you want the D.J. to talk between songs or just play. Depending on the type of party, gender might be an issue. If you’re having a few close friends over for a lingerie shower or planning a rowdy bachelorette bash, will your guests be comfortable with a male D.J.?
Even easier – and more affordable – are the do-it-yourself options. Most cable stations offer a variety of free music channels. Choose the station that plays music in the genre your guest of honor prefers. If you're one of those technological wizards who know how to attach the television to the stereo speakers, do so. The improvement in the sound will be worth it. One drawback to the cable music channels, however, is the graphics that are shown on the screen - not the most attractive visual element for your shower. Online radio stations can help you overcome that problem because your computer screen is generally not sitting in the middle of the living room. Just be sure, if you choose an online option like Pandora, you use good speakers. The ones that come with your computer generally have very poor sound quality.
Whichever option you choose, remember to keep the volume set low enough that people can hear over it. There's nothing worse than having to shout over the music at other party guests.
But We’re Having a Beach Barbeque!
The new MP3 technology can save that day if you're partying outside. Load your player and plug it into your car or portable speakers. You can also set up a Pandora station through your iPod, which can then be attached to your car or outdoor speakers.
Whichever delivery device you choose, music is a sure winner at every party and choosing the musical selections is often the most enjoyable part of planning a party. Rock on Darlings!
Learn how to create your custom party playlist with Pandora.
Tim Westergren founded Pandora in January 2000 and now serves as its Chief Strategy Officer. Tim is an award-winning composer, an accomplished musician and a record producer with 20 years of experience in the music industry. He has recorded with independent labels, managed artists, owned a commercial digital recording studio, scored feature films, produced albums, and performed extensively. His main instrument is the piano, but over the years he has played the bassoon, drums and clarinet and his musical background spans such genres as rock, blues, jazz and classical music.
Tim received his B.A. from Stanford University, where he studied computer acoustics and recording technology. A musician’s musician, he is obsessed with helping talented emerging artists connect with themusic fans most likely to appreciate their music. In addition to guiding Pandora’s overall strategy and vision, Tim now spends most of his time as Pandora’s chief evangelist – traveling the country to meet with listeners to collect feedback, research local music, and spread the word of the Music Genome Project.
Interested in more guest contributors stories? Check out our July 2008 featured guest!
