For over a decadePandorahas been streaming music online through customized, intelligent radio stations.
Like a radio, of course; radio being a purely vestigial term in these days of digital streaming.
Behind the technology that runs the company is Chris Martin.
Im also a Mac person.
So Im using a MacBook Pro but I will probably be looking for an Air.
Because the [MacBook] doesnt have quite enough computer power.
What are the sort of apps that you use every day that you cant live without?
Im sort of a news junkie.
You know, before Twitter I was a huge Google Reader fan.
Do you use web Twitter or Tweetdeck or what?
I use the mobile app, primarily.
What kind of workspace do you have?
Are you guys an open office or do you have your own private office?
No, were very much an open office culture.
Pretty standard 24 monitor and Apple keyboard.
All it requires is a bit of occasional cleaning.
Why the trackball?
Is that just a habit that stuck?
Yeah I think it is.
For me it feels more like a natural transition between a trackpad and the desktop.
It just feels more comfortable.
It feels like theres less movement and its easier to navigate.
And at home my workplace is probably the couch.
I dont have a home office.
What would you say your best time-saving shortcut is?
The thing I attempt to do to save time is focus on just a few things.
So I dont actually attempt to stay ultra on top of my email.
Typically in my head, since Im not navigating a bunch of different tools.
Along the same line of thought, do you use a to-do list manager?
How do you manage what you have to do?
Probably the only native iOS app I use is the Apple to-do list.
Syncs quite easily, and its just a simple interface.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget cant you live without and why?
Ive tried a lot of different watches.
We have a lot of interesting watch partners and weve done a lot with devices here.
The gadget Im finding myself using right now, with my current lifestyle, is theGarmin Forerunner 220running watch.
Basically if I dont have it with me I feel naked.
Its simply a running watch.
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?
I think the thing, maybe even to a fault, is that I am incredibly direct.
People interact with me, and meet me, and they go, …wow.
And so its provided a lot of benefits to me, but it also presents challenges.
Well thats what they said about Steve Jobs!
That he was direct to a fault, so you have that going for you.
Well be able to see the dramatized version of that as of Wednesday, right?
[Actuallythat versionopens in October, butAlex Gibneys documentaryis now playing].
Anyway, when youre working, what do you listen to?
Do you listen to music when you work?
Yeah, if Im really trying to focus on something, Ill put on some tunes.
If its a very intellectually driven task, I will put on classical.
If Im doing a mellower task Ill put on some reggae.
Have you ever played an instrument?
Yeah, I played instruments from the time I was ten until about 18.
I started with the trumpet, picked up the sousaphone, a.k.a.
baritone, and played that in an organization locally here that actually traveled the world.
We went to Scandinavia, and played in festivals.
It was a really large wind ensemble; there were 30 clarinets and eight baritone horns.
So yeah Ive always had a really strong relationship with music.
So musics always been a pretty significant part of my life.
Are you currently reading any books that youre really into?
What are you currently reading?
Im reading this book calledCookedat the moment.
The first part is on fire, which I find really fascinating.
Is cooking like a big hobby of yours?
Yeah, it is.
I have probably three things I do to recharge.
Im a bit introverted so time alone usually is the quickest way for me to recharge.
So I use that to manage my running.
But I find that a 25-30min jog is quite refreshing.
If I have more time thats what Ill do.
Then through the course of the week, I cook a lot.
I cook for the family, cook for friends.
[Im] not ashamed to try and cook really hard things or really easy things.
I can usually make something pretty tasty if my kids [reaction] is any indication.
They love dads cooking.
A few of us have motivated some cook-offs here.
We had a competition against the marketing teama chili cook-off.
I came in second.
I was pretty disappointed!
That sounds pretty good, second place!
But yeah, I came in second.
Well Id take second, I think thats good enough.
So my next question is about your sleep routine.
Are you a night owl or are you a morning person?
Whats your sleep routine like?
Im an early riser.
I rise with the sun typically.
I dont use an alarm clock and dont need one unless Im trying to catch a flight.
Weve had chickens for the last five years.
Chickens, and actually ducks, and we just parted with them.
None of my neighbors cared; I was the only one who seemed to be bothered by it.
I should write an article about chickenshow to manage your chicken alarm clock.
I could tell you a lot of stories.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
I would be really interested to hear how Obama manages his schedule.
Hes not super transparent about this.
I know hes a voracious reader, and hes reading all the time.
I cant imagine hes sleeping very much.
Yeah, definitely.
Hes certainly on my list!
But I dont think the White House is going return my emails just yet.
Maybe after, maybe in a couple years.
Is there anything else youd like to tell our readers or the users of Pandora?
This interview has been edited for clarity.
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