“I had quite a classic singer-songwriter listening range growing up,” Mel Parsons tells Apple Music. “Just the classics that my parents had, but a lot of those have really stuck with me, and almost all of it I still love. But also, I love so much music from different eras in different styles [that] this exercise is really impossibly difficult,” says the Aotearoa New Zealand artist, elaborating on the process of creating this handpicked Influences playlist. “I can’t help but be a product of my influences and the things I’m listening to at that time, so maybe you’ll hear some of these influences in what I make in some small way, even if it’s just a feeling,” she says of her own music, which draws from alt, indie, folk, country, and beyond. Listen to the playlist here, and read on for more on her top picks. Crowded House, “Recurring Dream” “I’ve loved Crowded House for as long as I can remember. I love so many of their songs, but this one in particular sparks so much joy for me. The guitars are so uplifting, you can’t help but smile as soon as they come in.” Dire Straits, “Romeo and Juliet” “Mark Knopfler’s voice is probably my favorite, ever. I’ve been an obsessive fan of Dire Straits since I was a kid, and I love it [the music] just as much now. I saw him live in Germany when I was on tour over there a few years ago and it truly was a religious experience.” Anaïs Mitchell, “Dyin Day” “I discovered Anaïs Mitchell quite late, but I adore her songwriting and interesting and emotive instrumentation. She’s a genius, and I absolutely love her voice.” Chris Isaak, “Wicked Game” “I can listen to this song over and over again and never tire of, it gives me chills. ‘Wicked Game’ is often in my set list for touring. I recently got to support Chris Isaak on his New Zealand tour which was a bit of a pinch-me moment. He was very gracious.” R.E.M., “Drive” “Takes me back to being a teenager and around the time when I was first getting obsessed with the guitar—I used to listen to a lot of R.E.M.”