Music:
Magnetic Fields; Hungarian folk music; joni mitchell, Morphine; Radiohead; Iron & Wine; Ryan Adams (Not Brian); PJ Harvey; Aerogramme; Andrew Bird; Bjork; Broken Social Scene; Snow Patrol; Velvet Underground; Cake; The Cure; Death Cab for Cutie; Lupine Howl; Elbow; Mazzy Star; Young Marble Giants; Sigur Ros; Caliphone, etc.
Books:
Complete works of Hart Crane is the best book I've ever read. I wish I could write essays like Orwell's "Down and Out in Paris and London." Currently reading "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel. Recently, high marks go to "Kafka by the Shore" by Murakami; Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said," by Philip K. Dick and "Cost of Living," by the author of "God of Small Things."
Heroes:
Obscure poets, crazy surfers, unpopular politicians and other folk you've never met.