I attended a photo shoot for a client this week. If you’ve ever attended a photo shoot, you know there is often music playing to keep everyone energized and in the mood, so to speak, and I usually cringe in the corner as the often vanilla-y flavored selections make their way out of the always underpowered boom box. Yes, I said boom box. You know the kind, the one that requires six D-size batteries.

Those who know me well know that:

a) it’s hard hold my tongue when I have an opinion and

b) music is something on which I always have an opinion.

But at any event or activity I’m attending for a client, my lips are sealed (bad Go-Go’s pun intended for emphasis).

The first day of the shoot was no different than others I’ve attended. First came Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, then Abba and Neil Diamond, and I’m fairly certain I heard some Barry Manilow during the crews’ lunch break. I’m surprised I was able to keep my own lunch down.

Did I mention, by the way, that the shoot I was attending involved NASCAR drivers? I’m not 100 percent on this one, but I have a feeling that drivers who are used to going 175 MPH aren’t really feeling Britney, but I could be mistaken. I’m not suggesting that a photo shoot needs to be an exploratory opportunity to showcase a new artist, but typically, and as usual, the selection left much to be desired.

So you can imagine my surprise when I arrived to the studio the second day and heard something actually pleasant coming out of the speakers. It was none other than some version of my beloved house music. Ah, how my mood was instantly lifted! Today was going to be a good day after all.

In chatting with a counterpart from another agency whom I met a few months ago, I made a passing comment that I was digging the tunes this fine morning. Her response: “I know. I love house music!” This totally took me by surprise, as it’s not something I’m used to hearing much in my professional work environment. She didn’t know that one of my favorite pastimes just so happens to involve listening to, dancing to, or playing house music, so she, too, was equally surprised to hear that we share a common love of house.

We’ve always enjoyed chatting with one another throughout our various work events, but this one comment opened up a whole new world, respect and appreciation for one another — without saying anything more than “I love house.” I’ve talked about the power of music in the past, but its ability to form bonds, make connections and deepen friendships never ceases to amaze me.

I certainly don’t ask anyone to understand house or even listen to it (unless you come to see me at Solera on Saturday nights, in which case you’re stuck with it), but when I meet someone new and they have a shared appreciation, I can’t help but get excited, as if I’ve met a new best friend.

Yet another good day turned great, thanks to music. It hasn’t failed me yet.