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In addition to a shared affinity for Herman Miller (possessing an Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair, Eames Hang-It-All and vintage Eames molded plastic chairs among others), Leslie Roeder and John Eric Byers share similar perspectives on design -- producing unique and modern goods for the bath (as well as the swimming pool) together as the creative partnership Goodjoy Design. Take a listen at their latest collaboration: this week's Playlist.

What do you listen to while you work?
Leslie Roeder: The Byrds, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Calexico, Serge Gainsbourg, Wilco, Beastie Boys...

John Eric Byers (JEB): Cat Power, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Black Angels, Black Mountain Grinderman, My Morning Jacket, Bob Dylan, Black Keys, Wooden Ships, Walkmen, and, of course, Leslie's playlist.

How do you listen?
Leslie: I use Urbanears Headphones or listen to iTunes directly from my laptop.

JEB: An Apple iPod Shuffle.

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Do you have any favorite music websites/providers?
Leslie: No, I don't have any favorites. I count on my friends for music recommendations. And we sometimes share our music through Dropbox.

JEB: Friends and Pitchfork to discover and Dropbox and Amazon together.

Does music influence your work?
Leslie: I think music influences my work indirectly. It helps me take my mind off the news, day-to-day issues, and politics etc. I turn on my music to focus on my work. Otherwise, my head spins all day long. So, in that way, it influences how I work. I am more productive when I listen to music.

JEB: It doesn't directly influence my work, but it sets the pace and groove of the process and the process sets the pace and groove of the playlist.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste?
Leslie: My music recommendations come from my friends. For instance, one of my closest friends brought Harry Nilsson to my attention. My musical taste is really influenced by my boyfriends. (That is very embarrassing to admit, but it is true.)

Before that, my brother, who is a country music and folk music musician, influenced my musical taste, so I guess there's a pattern there. As a youth, I listened to Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, Graham Parsons, and all the musicians in the genre. My friend and Goodjoy partner John Eric Byers listens to The Byrds, Nick Cave, The Black Keys, Cat Power, and a whole lot more. Those musicians definitely grew on me.

What song or artist best represents the work you create?
Leslie: Hmm, a bit of Serge Gainsbourg, a bit of Leonard Cohen, a bit of Frank Zappa -- and maybe some Marianne Faithful mixed in.

JEB: It's all a mixed bag.

Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist:
Leslie: The Nelson Platform Bench. A bench is a community space. It represents a space for several people -- a shared space, a public space. Many people can occupy a bench. Music should be shared, and a bench is perfect for creating the opportunity. And I totally see Neil Young sitting on a bench. It's austere and represents equality.

JEB: An Eames Molded Plastic Armchair with 4-leg Base in wafer and an Eames Molded Plastic Armchair with Wire Base in orange. My 4-legged wafer shell chair because, while it is hard, I find it to be very relaxing to sit in. I cannot imagine listening to my playlist while relaxing in an upholstered chair.

GOODJOY DESIGN'S PLAYLIST

Leslie:

John Eric Byers:

(Images: Leslie Roeder & John Eric Byers)

lifework2012-02-22 at 2.10.00 PM.jpgRepublished in partnership with Herman Miller Lifework. Originally posted by Jamie Latendresse.

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