Q&A: Music on repeat at the DTH's Sports Desk, from Swift to Zimmer

On the way to covering events, after long post-game press conferences and when it’s time to start putting words in the Google Doc, music plays a pivotal role for many sportswriters at The Daily Tar Heel. Here’s the songs that headline the soundtracks of our writers work lives: 

What music do you listen to while writing?

“Any song by Kenny Chesney will soothe and resurrect me from post-press conference exhaustion. But when it’s time to get serious, AirPods are in with Taylor Swift songs. 'Folklore' is my usual ‘lock in’ album choice. Do not bother me from that point forward.” — Caroline Wills, Sports Editor

“Usually some chill R&B so I can focus on writing. I’ve also been listening to Sade a lot recently.” — Beckett Brantley, Senior Writer 

“I remember a time after a basketball game in the Dean E. Smith Center last year when I was struggling with writer’s block. To calm and clear my mind, I listened to the 'Interstellar' soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.” — Harry Crowther, Senior Writer

“Absolutely nothing. I need pure silence or I cannot concentrate.” — Anna Page Lancaster, Senior Writer 

“I’ve been having a renaissance with Adele lately, but otherwise I just hit my go-to country playlist while I work.” — Molly Louison, Staff Writer

What is on your pregame hype playlist before covering an event?

“Currently, any song from Tate McRae’s 'So Close To What' album. Every single song is catchy. If you see me driving to the Chewning Tennis Center with my windows down, that’s probably what’s on. And if you’re debating giving the album a try, watch any of the music videos from that album and get back to me.” — Wills

“Usually something with a high BPM, or heavy bass; recently 'Yeah Glo!' by GloRilla has been on the rotation. Gotta get that heart rate up and the blood pumping!” — Sarah Stephens, Staff Writer

What song defines your experience on the sports desk?

"'I Had Some Help' by Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) because, well, I get help from my editors.” — Sofia Szostczuk, Staff Writer

“'Telephone' by Lady Gaga (feat. Beyonce) because I know that my editors’ phones were always going off from either me or others freaking out about getting gamers in on time, side ideas, problems that came up and many more while they were in the middle of other things — like Assistant Editor Matthew Maynard doing frat-related things on Thursday nights but needing to publish a gamer.” — Shannen Horan, Staff Writer.

“'Under Pressure' by Queen and David Bowie because writing gamers can be stressful due to time constraints and the fact that so much is happening in a short amount of time. The time constraint definitely makes it necessary to be able to adapt and adjust quickly.” — Katie Reeves, Staff Writer

What is your favorite song that plays at UNC stadiums/events?

“'Jump Around' by House of Pain because it doesn’t feel like a UNC sporting event without it. It’s such a great way to get the crowd (especially students) hype for the start of the game and carry some momentum into the game.” — Reeves

“'Carolina On My Mind' by James Taylor. I feel like this song embodies the feeling of UNC and every time I hear it after a game it brings me joy. It’s soothing and makes me think of all the memories I’ve made in Chapel Hill.” — Cade Shoemaker, Senior Writer

“'Swag Surfin’' by F.L.Y. (Fast Life Yungstaz) gets the student section hype in the third quarter at football games and late in the game at basketball. There’s nothing like swinging side to side during a big-time matchup with thousands of other kids to epitomize the college experience.” — Megan Smith, Senior Writer

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