Music:
Let's see here...Lucero, Against Me!, Detroit Cobras, White Stripes, Loretta Lynn, the Explosion, Billy Bragg, Fifteen, Johnny Cash, Jawbreaker, Old 97s, Jon Langford, Mike Ness, Waco Brothers, Decibully, Chris Isaac, the Gunshy, Carter Family, Ryan Adams, Damien Rice, .357 String Band, Chicken shack on wmse, the occasional dose of the world cafe...lots more..
Movies:
Angels in America, Another State of Mind, Great Expectations, Walk the Line, High Fidelity
Books:
Danny Lyon's The Bikeriders, High Fidelity, Cometbus Omnibus, Alice Sebold's books