A Taste:

M83, Talking Heads

While he was packing up for Blink-182’s hotly anticipated reunion tour, Tom DeLonge spent a lot of time choosing what he’d listen to on the road.

DeLonge’s taste is quite eclectic to say the least. Even though he’s known for hyper-catchy punk anthems about the trials and tribulations of chicks and growing up, DeLonge’s a pretty artsy dude. That’s why he’s so good at writing about girls and being a kid!

One look at his playlist, and you’ll find some new favorites! In between gearing up for tour, he opened up his iTunes and gave ARTISTdirect.com an exclusive look at what he’s spinning.

Check out Tom’s playlist below and make sure to catch Blink-182 on tour this summer!

Tom DeLonge’s Playlist:

1. M83

Have you heard of them? I don’t even know the title of the album, but I heard it one day at this party and I was like, “What the fuck is this?” So I just went out and brought three of their albums. I’ve been listening to them a lot. M83 sounds like Angels & Airwaves to me, but obviously with different singing and more synthesizers. It’s that same kind of ethereal thing. It’s right up my alley. That was my newest find.

2. Talking Heads

I’m telling you but something that will change your life, maybe not change your life but at least make you really happy is to go to Starbucks and buy the “Best-of/Greatest Hits” of Talking Heads. It’s so good! I grew up obviously listening to the singles, but I picked up the record a couple months ago. Glancing at the pictures, they look like these little college indie rock kids—like art kids. It’s what they were! It’s cool because the songs on the album are almost like Vampire Weekend or something [Laughs]. In their own way, they’re even more avant garde. It’s happy. You turn this on, and it will put you into good spirits.

—Rick Florino
06.29.09