Reference Library Archives

Reference Library: Lou Reed and The Who Helped Michael Imperioli Make a Multi-Act ZOPA Song Work

Music

By Michael Imperioli | March 12, 2025

Reference Library: Lou Reed and The Who Helped Michael Imperioli Make a Multi-Act ZOPA Song Work

The frontman talks “Street Hassle” and “A Quick One While He’s Away.”

Reference Library: Jane Paknia’s “Orchid Underneath” Was Born in a Storm

Music

By Jane Paknia | May 17, 2024

Reference Library: Jane Paknia’s “Orchid Underneath” Was Born in a Storm

The composer on the meteorological (and personal) event that inspired the title track of her new EP.

Reference Library: Studying the Kora Inspired Montañera’s New Record

Music

By Montañera | November 13, 2023

Reference Library: Studying the Kora Inspired Montañera’s New Record

María Mónica Gutiérrez on the traditional Colombian and Senegalese sounds found on A Flor de Piel.

Reference Library: Joseph Shabason Got Ed Templeton’s Blessing to Rescore Welcome to Hell

Music

By Joseph Shabason | November 8, 2023

Reference Library: Joseph Shabason Got Ed Templeton’s Blessing to Rescore Welcome to Hell

The composer on why skateboarding’s a lot like jazz, and more.

Reference Library: Helena Deland Was Inspired by a Latent Memory

Music

By Helena Deland | October 16, 2023

Reference Library: Helena Deland Was Inspired by a Latent Memory

The singer-songwriter talks "The Animals" and Guy Béart’s “L’eau vive.”

Reference Library: Penguin Cafe’s “In Re Budd” Is Dedicated to Harold Budd

Music

By Penguin Cafe | June 29, 2023

Reference Library: Penguin Cafe’s “In Re Budd” Is Dedicated to Harold Budd

Arthur Jeffes on how the late ambient godfather inspired their new track.

Reference Library: Mui Zyu Wanted to Sample the Sounds of Her Family’s Restaurant

Music

By Mui Zyu | February 23, 2023

Reference Library: Mui Zyu Wanted to Sample the Sounds of Her Family’s Restaurant

The artist on recapturing the noise of her youth.

Reference Library: Here’s How Carla dal Forno Covered “The Garden of Earthly Delights”

Music

By Carla dal Forno | November 4, 2022

Reference Library: Here’s How Carla dal Forno Covered “The Garden of Earthly Delights”

On The United States of America, Derek Jarman’s garden, and more.

Reference Library: How “Bass Genius” Carol Kaye Inspired VISUALS’ “Ocean”

Music

By VISUALS | September 22, 2022

Reference Library: How “Bass Genius” Carol Kaye Inspired VISUALS’ “Ocean”

Andrew Fox on the unsung hitmaker of the midcentury.

Reference Library: John Zorn and Talking Heads Inspired the New Under the Reefs Orchestra Track

Music

By Under the Reefs Orchestra | September 20, 2022

Reference Library: John Zorn and Talking Heads Inspired the New Under the Reefs Orchestra Track

Clément Nourry on the genesis of “Ants.”