Millennials, step aside! The Gen X/Gen Z crossover continues. Though Pamela Valfer began making music as Kitty Craft in the mid 90s, she has been dazzling a new crop of young listeners with her wistful mix of sample collage and lo-fi crooning. This year, she’s given us two volumes of Bits + Bobs from the Flower Patch, a series of charming deep cuts and cutting room floor remnants from her earlier days. Valfer has the mind of a visual artist and the patience of a teacher—she is both—so we had to ask after her Best Songs for specific situations to prove her impeccable taste, too. Read her answers, and listen to both volumes of Bits + Bobs from the Flower Patch, below.

Best song you’ve sampled?

All the songs. Each and every one of them is the best. I have sampled myself a few times, but I like to keep a mystery of the patchwork.

Best song to paint to? 

Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane

Best song by The Replacements?

“Androgynous” by The Replacements

“Androgynous” is the best song by The Replacements. That’s why I’ve been covering it at live shows … Maybe I’ll record it someday?

Best song by a nineties hip-hop artist?

“Me Myself and I” by De La Soul

Best song for gardening?

Beach Head by Sun Araw

It will bring all the polluters to the garden. Epic album.

Best song you’ve found while crate-digging?

“Devils Nine Questions” by Bonnie Koloc 

From approximately 1971 … She sings a beautiful version of this old traditional folk song called “Who is the Weaver’s Bonny” a.k.a. “The Devil’s Nine Questions.”

Best song from the yacht rock genre?

“I’m Not In Love” by 10cc 

No explanation is needed.

Best song for a stroll around Pasadena?

“Ventura Highway” by America

Best song you’ve shown your students?

“Atrocity Exhibition” by Joy Division

Probably something by Joy Division. I’ll say “Atrocity Exhibition” off of Closer. Most of the students hadn’t heard it before and were pretty into it. Good jams for color theory wheels.

Best song your students have shown you?

“Echo” by Clairo 

Oh that one is easy … My students played me some of her music and I looked her up, and really loved it.

Photo Credit: Darin Kamnetz