musicories and Dementia

Based on real events, Olly, Olly Oxen Free is a touching story about the day the fog of dementia lifted for Max Jones, and he remembered. The story centers on Max, his wife Mary, their granddaughter Jessica, and how Satchmo's rendition of "What a Wonderful World" turned what began as "just another day of heartbreak" (where Max has the communication skills of an infant) into a "day of celebration!"

In just over two minutes, they experienced the magical power of music, and that changed everything. For the first time in years, there are smiles in the room, there is life in Max's eyes. And they all agree that they will never go another day without music.

musicories: a music, memory, mood-altering companion

This project began in August of 2017 as a way to share music evoked memories with my friends. I wanted a way to discover what Phil recalled when he heard The Godz or what Allan recalled when listening to Cheap Trick or what Pete recalled when listening to Pink Floyd.

I also wondered if anyone else used music to change their mood or to help them focus. Am I the only one that cleans house to Dire Straits? Or codes to Jean Michel Jarre? Or cleans the garage to Kiss? Or is it something we all do?

How musicories will work

We begin by finding out a few things about you and your music listening habits growing up. We then check and see if any of your friends have created musicories playlists. If friends are found, we have you identify the ones you spent time listening to music with. The more data you provide, the better job we do at finding your songs.

If your friends have playlists, we begin by having you look through their lists and tag the songs that evoke memories or emotions in you. We also show you playlists from people you don't know but whose timeline and other factors best match yours.

Finally, we have a rediscover module which plays 30 second clips of songs we are pretty sure will mean something to you. You just sit back and listen, saving the songs that mean something to you while ignoring the rest.

One more thing

Musicories goal is to be much more than just another music app. We will be working with researchers to ensure that our app takes advantage of the latest science and is used by physicians all over the world. As Dr. Daniel Levitin said, "The promise here [using music before surgery to lower a patient's anxiety] is that music is arguably less expensive than drugs, and it's easier on the body, and it doesn't have side effects."

Any app can stream music, only musicories is designed to do it in a way that benefits the listener—YOU!

Music and mood are inherently linked. Scientists continue to uncover how these influences occur at a neural level. Studies prove that the music we listen to engages a wide range of neurobiological systems that affect our psychology.

~ Christopher Bergland, Psychology Today

2032

Music memories are often shared with peers. We listen, together. At a party, it is something that we hear whilst dancing or chatting to a friend. We go to concerts or gigs with one another. And it is because music is there as part of lives spent with others—often significant others—that helps make it especially meaningful. There is something very social in our experience of music.

~ Tiffany Jenkins, BBC culture