An earful of music, soccer in his sights

In “Personal File,” people who help create the cultural mix offer a glimpse of how they consume it.

First up: Director and playwright Michael John Garces. Garces, former co-producing artistic director and artistic associate at New York’s Latino arts center INTAR, took over as artistic director of L.A.-based Cornerstone Theater this year after the departure of longtime company leader Bill Rauch.

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BED STAND READING

“Fortunate Son” by Walter Mosley; [Carey McWilliams’] “Southern California: An Island on the Land,” which Aaron Paley recommended that I read to learn about my new home; “Distant Star” by Roberto Bolano from Chile.

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ON THE iPOD

Los Lobos’ new album “The Ride”; Steve Reich; DJ Cheb i Sabbah’s new album “La Kahena,” a mix of traditional Algerian music with subtle contemporary beats.

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TiVo PICKS

I don’t [usually] watch TV.

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FOR THE COMMUTE

I listen to music when I drive or the sounds of traffic when I’m riding my bike. I don’t listen to radio in my car. I plug in my iPod and listen to something upbeat like Carlos Vives (Colombian) or Silvio Rodriguez (Cuban) or the White Stripes’ new album.

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INTERNET FAVORITES

SportsIllustrated.com, especially lately because of basketball; BBC.com for news.

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CULTURAL ADDICTION

Seeking out and buying old and obscure acoustic country/blues recordings. Amoeba records is great for finding these, better than anything I’ve found in NY.

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GUILTY PLEASURE

I read about sports all the time but don’t watch it a lot, except for the World Cup, which I am obsessive about and will get up at 3 a.m. to watch.

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IN THE NETFLIX QUEUE

I don’t use Netflix.

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FILTERING THE POP-CULTURE BLITZ

The way I filter the pop culture blitz is to avoid watching TV or listening to the radio (except when I’m in bars or at my mom’s house, then I’m a TV junkie). I still hear about everything going on in pop culture, but it is filtered through other people, so it is not as intense.

-- Lynne Heffley