The Zen of Collecting with Michael Bendure

Join us as we welcome Michael Bendure, a successful media personality and creator. You might know him as the host of the internationally syndicated radio show "Tonic: The Funky Groove Show," or from his Top 100 Apple Podcast, "40 Minutes of Funk." He's also a well-known abstract artist and musician in the Norman, Oklahoma region.

But, as we say here on the show: That's not what we're gonna talk about!

Michael's passion today is his world of unique collections, which include fascinating items like vintage Swatches, ceramic Christmas trees, and lava lamps. He shares his story and offers his unexpected advice on:

• How to approach your collecting hobbies mindfully.
• Tips for getting the most enjoyment and lasting value out of your curated items.
• Crucially, his advice for collectors on how to keep your partner from losing their mind!

Transcript

[music] Hello friends, welcome to Unexpected Advice, your podcast where we talk to very successful and interesting people and they give you advice on things that you honestly wouldn't expect to hear from them. So today I am joined by Michael Bendor. Now Michael and I go way back. It's like OG old school. Uh, so we've known each other for decades. Um, but Michael's coming to us. He has a nationally syndicated uh radio show, Tonic, the Funky Groove Show, and actually internationally syndicated now.

I think >> today he's also a podcaster and he ranked into the top 100 music podcasts for his podcast 40 minutes of funk. Uh, fantastic. I've been listening to that since um he kicked that off and it's been a lot of fun. On top of this, if that wasn't enough, he is a local abstract artist and he's a sought-after musician in the Norman, Oklahoma area. However, we're not going to talk about any of that. What we're going to talk about today with Michael is his passion

for collecting really interesting collections and then what the heck do you do with it? So, Michael, today I would like to talk to you about your rando collections and give people some advice on what on earth are they supposed to do with this stuff. So, first off, we'll start with >> what is the what are the collections? Because you started only one and then you're like, well, then there's this other thing. Well, then I actually have and I'm like, okay. Okay, let's talk

about this. >> Yeah. Well, let me just start off by saying that I am not a hoarder >> and so the things that I collect >> this closet full of t-shirts behind him that I see. [laughter] Yeah, but those I wear those and maybe that's maybe that's to the point of the things that I collect are things that I can use and enjoy. So I don't collect salt and pepper shakers that sit up on a little shadow box on the wall. I don't, you know, everything that I collect has some sort of useful purpose or function

to it >> or is in or is enjoyable in some capacity. So, um, I collect a handful of things and they're very specific and esoteric and I'll just I don't I'm not going to list these in any kind of order and you can go down any rabbit hole that you want of these if you like. So, um, and some I collect more aggressively than others. Um, >> aggressive collection. You're not a totally >> not an hoarder. There's a place for everything more or less. Um, so I probably the thing that I've been

collecting the longest, maybe I should start there, is Christmas and holiday CDs. Now, I am a huge music fan. Uh, for those of you who are listening, what Esther didn't mention is that Esther and I met in college >> um 30 years ago, almost 30. >> Bring all that up. >> That's okay. and we played a lot of music. Um, and one of the things that we recorded was a Christmas album. And you are you are correct. It's not out there. Although I'm so tempted sometimes just

to put it out on all the digital platforms and not tell anybody. >> And then like, you know, one of these days you'll get a phone call from Jennifer Jenkins. It's like, why is Planet God on Spotify? you know, that's kind [laughter] of >> she's gonna be like, "How did this happen? Who did it?" Right. Exactly. Pretty much it's gonna be >> um but so when Jenny and I were first married, um we started, you know, one of the things that you do when you're first married,

at least well, at least we did was kind of make your own traditions and your own >> ways of celebrating holidays. And for me, as a music guy, I always loved Christmas music. And my probably one of my very favorite Christmas albums of all times and one of the first ones that I bought like as an adult was uh on CD was the Muppets and John Denver Christmas album which is still just >> folks listeners I want this to frame your reference for years. >> This this is going to make everything

else make so much more sense knowing this. No, but I remember finding this because I had this on a vinyl record when I was a child and it was one of my favorite albums >> and I ran across it. It was repressed as a CD back in like 1995 or six and I came across it and I was like, I have to buy this because this is part of my childhood memory and I didn't have the record anymore. So, I bought on CD. >> Yeah. >> And as Jenny and I sort of grew into being a couple and and and going through

our traditions and stuff was every year we tended to pick up another album or two that we threw into the mix of our stuff. And we were, you know, when we met and got married, we were in college. We were poor as church mice, if you'll pardon the the idiom. >> But, um, >> but we still made room for that in our lives. And over the years that's just sort of blossomed and I picked up and here's the thing is like I pick up CDs at garage sales, you know, I don't I don't typically buy a lot. I don't spend

a lot of money on on Christmas music, >> but I love the more esoteric, the more wacky, the more strange, the more out there it is, the better. Like I'm I really am not a fan of like the old rat pack kuners. I've got, you know, like >> they're popular so that Yeah. Okay. So, we love them. They're beautiful. Not your jam. But what I think is interesting on this for the advice piece is that you're basically saying like find the thing that's yours and that you will enjoy. And you may just enjoy it

once a year. Like you're enjoying this at Christmas time. There's a season for it. And granted, you can start listening to it in October, >> but it's a season. And you've got a purpose for it. So, it's not something that's sitting on a shelf that you're like, "Oh, it's in our, you know, spare bedroom or it's in my boxes in my attic. right? >> Bringing this out and using it. >> And some things that I collect do sit on shelves, which you'll get to

momentarily. But the whole point in that is that that collection >> quickly grew past what my five CD shuffler could play. And so I I invested in a used 300 disc rot like carousel CD player >> so that every year we could have our own Christmas mix. And it's made up of all the CDs that I've collected over the years. And I just today I added a few more and we're looking right at about 250 CDs. And so every season Yeah. So every holiday >> I just hit shuffle on that thing.

>> And there's stuff and there's great albums that have great nostalgia related to them. You know, >> CDs when Jenny and I were first married, CDs that I've recorded with you and with her and with our buddies. And my dad did a solo piano recording. My friend Doug Lewis has the solo piano. So like there's a lot of things that are that have sort of that intrinsic value and whenever I hit play and shuffle, you never know what you're going to get. You might get Alvin and the Chipmunks and

go, "Oh geez, not these guys again." But then every now and then you get something that that's special and mean something to you. So yeah, it helps sort of set the season. Uh, which typically starts, >> we typically put Christmas music in >> at the beginning of November, but it has started as early as September for us. Don't judge me. Just depending on the year, you know. >> Yes. Especially in 2020, it might have started like last. >> Absolutely. Like in May. Okay, let's We

need some Christmas now, right? Exactly. So, um, but, uh, along with that is probably my newest collection, which is ceramic Christmas trees, like the old vintage ceramic Christmas trees. And >> again, this also has sort of a nostalgia. I mean, it has to for something like that. Um, when I was a child growing up, my parents uh had in the house this this pastel pink, and I mean like Pepto-Bismol pink ceramic Christmas tree. It was hideous. >> Wow. >> And I loved it. My grandmother gave it

to our family and at some point it disappeared. I I think my parents Yeah. Right. My parents >> some it disappeared. >> Well, I think I think they sold it in a garage sale, right? >> Yeah. but they didn't know that it had that meaning attached to it for us. And so I spent years looking for it and I still it's it's gone to the wind. But um I started picking up like one little one here and there just to kind of put in with our regular seasonal decor. >> Um but this last year I I joined a

Facebook group that all it is is ceramic Christmas tree appreciation. It's just people posting photos of their collections. >> Folks, >> this is impressive. Things you didn't know. Things you didn't know. You're just you're educating, too. At the same time, you're giving advice and you're educating. >> Well, there you go. Yeah. And there's just that these things are I love them because they're so tacky and that's one of the things that I love most about

Christmas is Christmas isn't one thing. There's, you know, it's it's just this malange of sparkle and glitter and >> taxes. >> Yes. Like it it none of it fits together. And that's what makes it Christmas is like, oh, let's sell it. Let's So it's it's to me that's kind of what is exciting about Christmas is that it's just this big >> melting pot of >> unrelated crap that everything goes into and all of it can be uh appreciated and

celebrated. So that's kind of where the music goes in. That's where the the Christmas CDs or Christmas um trees go in. So >> and you display these like this is a thing that you do like this is a part of some of the traditions that you've built. So you not only have them and we're going to share some pictures. If you're watching this on video, we'll share some pictures that Michael's taken of his displays. >> So how did you come about figuring out like how do I want to appreciate these?

So I've got these collections of building these collections. How do you think about how do I want to enjoy it? Like you've got the CD player. So you figured out for Christmas music. All right, I've got this. I want to enjoy it. This is the method by which I'm going to enjoy it. How did you do that for Christmas trees? Well, seeing other people who are clearly way crazier about ceramic trees than I am helps because it that adds a little balance. But seeing how other people display their trees,

>> okay, >> is really informative and educated, too, because okay, >> I used to have like just two or three that I'd kind of spread out around the house. Well, now I've got like a dedicated space that I can put them in. And I tell you, so we had Halloween on on on October 31st. On November 1st, I told Jenny, I was like, I want all of this gone. And we love Halloween. One of the other things that I collect is Halloween Legos. And every year I make a huge display. And every year it's

different. And there's zombies. >> Yeah. There's skeletons and Nightmare Before Christmas and all of this crazy like it's so much fun. But >> it's something that appeals to the the child and me, but also like the spooky part of the season. So, we are huge. We're huge Halloween folks. We're huge uh Christmas folks. But I told Jenny on November 1st, I want all the the Halloween stuff gone. And we spent like six hours. No, I think it was more like eight hours. >> Folks,

>> just clearing all of the Halloween stuff out. >> And then I was like I was almost buzzy with anticipations like I cannot wait to pull all of these Christmas trees out >> that I've been amassing cuz really over the past year I've been really collecting. >> Oh, okay. And and here's the hot take. Here's the the hot tip. My parents My parents found a bunch of these at garage sales. So, I don't spend money. I don't spend real money on these things because

>> the trees can go for 75, 100, 150, $200 a piece depending on >> I get garage sale ones. I get, you know, random finds. I don't spend a lot of money on them. >> It's kind of the challenge for it. Makes it more like a little bit more special when you when you've sought the thing out. like you just didn't go on and purchase what you wanted. Like you said, I I want something like this and you found it and you searched for it. It was a bit of a journey to get there.

>> Well, yeah. And part of that is like that's part of the joy of collecting records is is the the joy of the huts, right? And you never know what you're going to find. And after a while, I started having an idea like I know I've got this really tall white tree and these two whatever green trees. I need some small things to put in front of them so I can build layers and depth to the little Christmas tree forest that I put together. And so then it's kind of like, well, I found this

>> gigantic $300 lava shaped tree. I really want one of those for my collection, but I don't have the money for it, but I also don't I don't have the space for that. >> Yeah. >> And so then it was like, >> I want to look for like, you know, an eight or 10 inch tree that I can spend$10 or $15 on. like that's what I want, you know? So, you know, kind of knowing what you've got and trying to work around that, knowing what your what your physical and monetary, you know,

restraints are. So, >> send some and living by those. So, you that's another tip, right? So, advice is live by those. Set those rules for yourself. Set those limitations and pathways for yourself and then live by those. >> Yeah. I like your other tip there, too. Tell people that you care about because this is a great thing to say, "Oh, well, this is what we're going to get Michael for Christmas because we know he likes it." So, you know, when you have collections, sometimes it's really nice

because people know what to get you sometimes, especially if they know you want the wacky weird thing. Like, I've known people that have collected just the weirdest, most obscure sci-fi t-shirts. >> Yeah. >> Right. And they and they wear them all the time and you see them and every once in a while somebody be like, I have seen that show and it's random and obscure and >> Oh, yeah. >> Yes. or played that video game. Yeah. And every morning, the first thing I do when I get up, I go in there and I flick

on the power strips and I've got this glow of these Christmas lights and it just makes this atmosphere, you know, right? >> It's just fun. And I I truly enjoy just seeing these lights and these I don't know. It just it's a warm feeling. It's hard to describe >> and it gives you some joy. I think that's like this is something that gives you something special for you that gives you joy. So if you're collecting something, make sure be first of all be interesting. Like that's one of the

things I say. I collected snow globes for a while and after a while I'm like these break and they're kind of a pain in the butt and I don't they're not interesting to me. So I think the key thing is saying hey these are things that I care about like and even if it's something expensive like people who would might collect cars like you may not have start off with being able to collect like 10 cars but I know people have six cars and they'll trade them in and upgrade them over time within that

budget within that constraint. Whatever their passion is whatever gives them that joy that's what they collect. And it may be something big or it may be like you like I'm going to collect these series of Christmas trees and you may have 20 and somebody's like no I collect cars but I only have three. my goal is to collect these other things and I might sell one or I'll work on them or >> like so I think it's all about what that joy brings you is a key point of of what you choose to collect and then how do

you get joy out of it >> well and I I also believe in using things for what they were designed for like you know I went when I was a kid I mean I I went through you know collecting action figures at some point and you know the thing with cars is like people who own cars but they never drive them or people who who collect guitars and never play them. I'm like, >> yeah, >> what is the why are you, you know, you're in these things? I mean, >> and sometimes it's an investment. So, I

know people who might collect a watch and they're like, well, I bought this watch. It's never going to go down in value. I get that, but it's an investment. It's not something that gives you joy. It may be a nice investment and you're proud of it, but it's different. their pride in a very expensive wash that they view as an investment and your collection of Christmas trees are really two different spaces, >> right? It's a joy versus a like it might make me feel good or it's cool but it's

a joy and experience and that's another thing. It's like it's about that experience like you're choosing to give you an experience. >> Okay. So related to the the Christmas trees, but not nearly as seasonal. Um I have become a lava lamp collector. >> And um this is another thing that I don't like to spend money on lava lamps. I go see them in stores and I've seen, you know, again, there's a whole there's a whole world out there of lava lamp collectors who know all of the stuff.

I'm kind of in the same in the same thing is I like I don't like spending a lot of money on them and I have a lot of them right now. And the hard thing with those is finding places to put all of them because it's different when you're building a Christmas tree forest because there's again there's height and depth and and >> color and things like that. And lava lamps come in different colors, but lava lamps take a long time to warm up. I can't just go flick on the light and

I've got lava. It's also the instant gratification of seeing it there, isn't there, too. So, that's something like it's a it's it's an overtime, but I feel like a party, like I feel like that would be a really solid party room. >> It's like the difference between the Christmas trees would be like taking shots of tequila. Like, it's going to get you there fast. >> Yeah. >> Right. But lava lamps are like sipping whiskey. Like, it's a it takes a little

bit of time and you want to enjoy the process. And like >> if you want the vibe, you have to think ahead. So, like if we want the lava going >> like when people come over or whatever, I got to turn that thing on like two hours before people come over just so there's a good flow, >> right? >> Um, but again, I collect, you know, I collect >> garage sale, estate sale, lava lamps, and I've learned a lot. Here's your here's your lesson. So, here's your

advice if you're going to get into collecting lava lamps >> is do not put them in your attic because they will freeze. And you want to ask me how I know. >> Oh, no. >> I learned the hard way. Yeah. So, we had a really cold we had a a a cold night in February this this past year. >> Yeah. >> That was so cold that it froze the pipes to my sprinkler system. Well, I didn't think about the stuff that was in my attic. Fortunately, I had them in plastic tubs, but when I pulled them

down in the spring to swap them out with the the Christmas stuff, I had at least one or two that had busted and I just I never thought cuz I thought, well, they don't have water. They have wax and it got cold enough in there and it popped at least one or two of them. So, little lesson. So that's the bad thing about lava lamps is if you're going to put them up for a season, you have to keep them indoors cuz they will freeze if you >> temperature control. Yeah. Temperature control.

>> So you also collect swatches. Is this correct? >> Yeah. Yeah. So I'll actually give you a little preview right here cuz in my right here, if you can see them. >> Oh yes. >> Get that out of the way. So you can see I've got about uh I'm at about 20 now that work. I've got several more that don't unfortunately that I've collected. But the thing with the So these are vintage watches from the 1980s and 90s, but some of them are more 20, you know, from the 2020s. And um several of them

have stories that go with them. Several of them were gifts, some were ones. I mean, again, I don't pay a lot of money for these. probably the most that I've paid I don't know that I've paid I think some of them I've gotten off of estate sales like online so I'd get like a batch for like 50 or 60 bucks and I'd get four or five of them in there >> various shapes of of various conditions >> but the nice thing is is that uh you can you can buy the replacement bands on uh

these are not swatch >> these are like fancy whatever but you can buy on Amazon for stupid cheap. And what I love about them is uh one of the things that I love about them is mixing and matching. So you get >> Oh, very cool. >> So like I bought this one and the watch works, but >> yeah, >> it's got a cool I love the the face on >> that is really Yeah. Sweet. >> But the bands break. Uh the bands they get gross and nasty over time and they fall apart. Well, if you're going to

wear them, and I do. I wear all of mine. Mine I intentionally buy I I wear different swatches with different outfits. I can coordinate. Sometimes I make them match what I'm wearing. Sometimes they're completely different than what I'm wearing. But >> yeah. >> Uh and then I've got like the the swatch guards and things that clip on them so you can protect. >> It's also an expression of creativity. And I think that's for all you me you've mentioned. These are just ways that you

express creativity. And I think some people think, oh, I'm not creative. And I disagree. Everyone's creative. And sometimes you have to learn to retap into it because we're really creative as children. And that gets groomed out of us. [clears throat] And so that when we collect things like this, this is an opportunity for you to get >> more creative. So even with swatches, like how is that collecting watches? Well, because I can change the bands and I can put the colors on and I can match

it with my outfits and like this is >> it's very much a an expression of who I am. And >> so I've just learned to, you know, embrace the parts of of myself that I can customize and I can enjoy. Um, >> but yeah, I have a bunch of these that I I bought a set of four of them at a garage sale. All the bands were broken. I replaced all of the bands, but this is what got me into I'll show you this one right here. >> Oh, yeah. I remember that one actually. >> Called a Jellyfish.

And this is a 1980s. And this is the actual original band. It's very hard to find these. And these are not yellow or orange or brown with age. Um, when I was a kid, I loved going if we went to the mall, I would go to Dillards and J C Penney and I would drool over the swatches in the display cases because I always loved swatch watches, but I could never I never had one. My family couldn't afford them. Um, and so I came across uh this was always my favorite one that I always wanted. And I came

across one of these on Facebook Marketplace, I think for 25 or 30 bucks a few years ago. And I was like, "You mean it works and the band is in good shape?" I was like, "This is unreal." So, I bought it. The great thing is the clear watch is versatile. You can wear that with anything, right? >> Yeah. Anything. >> And then that just sort of led to, you know, me running into things at places and um >> I was at a garage sale again and um somebody had this watch. Uh you can see

it. So, it's got these sort of turquoise. >> Yeah. Turquoise numbers. turquoise face or numbers and then an orange second hand, >> right? >> Somebody had the wall clock version of that. So, Swatch also made these like five foot watches that you put on your wall as a clock. They had one of those in the box for $3. Those things go for like $300. >> Yeah. >> And so, like that's the other watch. That's the watch. That's the only watch I can't wear. [laughter]

So, >> but you still get joy from looking at it because it's sitting like >> 100%. It's just so fun to walk into. I have it hanging in my art room and it's just so fun to walk in there and see that >> big piece of 1980s culture hanging right there, you know. So, I think those are most of the things that I collect. I mean, um, and I'm fortunate to have a partner who is who puts up with that stuff. She has actually become a fan of most of the things. She doesn't care about the

Swatch watches so much, but she likes that I like the Christmas trees and that she can she can enjoy those as well. And >> she thinks the Lego setup is funny every year and cute. Um, >> actually, the lava lamp thing started because Jenny and I went on a trip once uh to Pine, Arizona. This was before Sophia was born. [snorts] And uh the people who owned the house had an orange >> uh it was it was a black lava lamp with orange uh wax >> sitting in the window. >> Yeah.

>> And I'd always thought that lava lamps were cool but was never like serious about them. And I >> every night we would watch TV or play video games or hang out and every night I would flick that thing on. It was just >> it just added to the mood of the whole experience. Yes. Exactly. And that's the one I don't have. I'm still looking for an orange one. Okay. And >> All right. So, folks out there, if anybody has that, >> it's got to be cheap. I'm I'm a cheap

collector. I don't pay a lot of money for these things. >> You're going to get a freaking box of one of these days and it's just going to show up. You're like, where did this come from? I can't believe it. >> Yeah. So, those are those are basically the things that I collect. And as you know, as you've as you mentioned, like they have nostalgia, too. nostalgia behind them, but they all they all contribute to, I would say, a form of mental wellness to to a degree because

they're comforting. They they make me feel good to see them or to wear the watches or to to listen to the music. >> Um, I collect records as well, but that's a lot of that is for my radio show. I get radio I mean I get records from record labels and artists that I work with for the radio show and the podcast, >> but that also has an intrinsic value to be just be able to sit down and listen to to records and things like that. So >> yeah, I mean I'm all for collecting

things as long as like you have your your spouse's uh blessing behind it. That's a big deal. Um, >> and my dad is a collector, so I get a little bit I think of that from him, but he collects big photographs, which are just the some of them are big cathedralsiz giant pieces, and my mom is very patient to >> allow him to keep those in the house. But, uh, >> yes, that's true. But I think it's Yeah. And I I think something you added is that something that your spouse can also

enjoy with you. >> Like it's your collection, but she gets to enjoy that with you. And I think that's something that people should keep in mind when they're like, "Hey, I want to collect this thing or I really like these things." And sometimes people don't know like, "Oh, I really like this thing." Like, "I love crazy glasses. I love really funky jewelry." >> Well, that's something I can collect and I've started collecting. And a lot of

these pieces are gifts or the things I find at places that I I like, but I've focused my time and energy on really finding the ones that I like and that I will wear. So, just because it looks cool, I'm like, if I don't like it, if I won't wear it, I'm not going to collect it. I'm not I want the pieces that have some give me joy. >> Yeah. Well, and to and to take that to another degree, like with your spouse's part uh participation, like there's been times when I'll bring home a lava lamp

and Jenny will be like, "Oo, I really like that one. Can I have it for my office?" And I'm like, [laughter] >> "Sure." Like, I mean, if you're going to enjoy it, that's that's part of the experience for me. And that's a positive thing. So, yeah, >> that's fantastic. Hopefully Damian is in support of the big glasses and the color >> the glasses are are are a mixed [laughter] bag, but the jewelry he's down with. He's right. He's like he

liked these. He's like cuz these are little lightning bolts and he was like those are very 1980s and I'm like yeah. So yeah, for that stuff he is. Yeah, he actually bought me some really nice pieces too. So um >> there you go. >> Well, [laughter] thank you so for walking us through this, for giving your advice. I really appreciate it and >> Oh, thanks for having me. >> Good luck. >> Appreciate it. Thank you so much and thanks for being a part. Thanks for doing the podcast and joining the

podcast world. Thanks for letting me be your guest. >> I appreciate it. I appreciate it. [music] >> Um so going forward if you want I would love to hear one more piece of advice from you Michael. Um, and this is for the listeners that stay on a little bit longer, but you started, you made a decision, you made a transition in your career and decided to leave corporate and go on your own and follow your passions. Um, and this is something that's kind of special to me because that's what I'm doing right now as well.

>> So, what what piece of advice or encouragement do you have for people that are thinking about doing this? >> Listen to your instincts and trust your gut. Because here's the thing, you're the only person who's going to do things the way that you do them. And when you do that, you bring a sense of um authenticity to the the the clients and the world that you're a part of and the people that you work with. There's a there is something that Esther will only bring in

the way that Esther brings it >> and anybody else listening. and you can do things just like anybody else and you'll look like everybody else. What you want to do is to be authentic to yourself because authenticity is so detectable and so craved >> right now, especially in a world of artificiality and everything's on your phone like >> right >> it's funny if I can just take a second here. um the the current like so Sophia's generation they are they're a screen generation

they're are tablet kids they grew up with the internet and with you know phones and tablets their generation is craving authentic inperson adventures they may be on their phone all the time or it looks like that out there all the time but they they are craving things that they cannot get on their screens, >> right? >> Even if they're attached to them all the time, because they know the difference. >> And I s I saw a story the other day online that said that digital cameras

are coming back into style because this generation wants to take physical photos. And like two weeks ago, something shows up in the mail that my daughter orders for herself. >> It's a digital camera. And I'm just like I'm so excited for her. I'm not going to say anything about it, you know. But >> yeah, >> but all that comes back to that idea of authenticity. >> When you're doing something you love and you're passionate about it, don't settle for other people's rules and other

people's expectations. Do it the way that you do it because I promise there are people who are going to be attracted to that and help be a part of your success. >> Absolutely. That's fantastic advice. Thank you very much, Michael. Thank you for that sharing that with us and um I appreciate your time and being my guest. It's fantastic. I'm excited. And all your advice, >> it's fun. [music] >> [music]