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Wanted: One Perfect Soundtrack
I’m one of those authors who needs music in order to really get in the writing groove. Whenever I start a new book, I put together a new iTunes playlist to go along with it. Then every time I sit down to work on the book, I turn off email, put on my headphones and let my playlist put me back into my dreamed-up world.
Here’s the thing. Right now, I’m working on Shenandoah, follow-up to my short story Dragon’s Kiss and second book in the Mother Earth series. I have a playlist, and some of the songs are great, but a lot of them just aren’t working for me. A lot of my iTunes library just doesn’t seem to fit with the post-climate-change, primitive world of my fictional future.
Patrick Wolf and certain Sigur Rós tunes work well. Especially Sigur Rós, since all their songs are in Icelandic so I don’t get distracted by listening to the lyrics. Heh. Some particular faves: Patrick Wolf’s “Thickets” and “Tristan”, Sigur Rós’s “Glosoli” and “Olsen Olsen”, Karen O and the Kids “Hideaway” from the soundtrack to Where The Wild Things Are. But I need more! Help? I’m looking for songs with a certain type of “feel” to them — earthy and primitive, or alternately something with an airy, ethereal quality. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for helping a poor author finish her book! Happy New Year to one and all :D
Oh honey I gotcha. grins Although yours will be a little different from the steampunk fantasy I’m working on, some will fit. Hang on.
If you don’t have anything by Lamb, get it. “Gorecki” and “Gabriel” are their biggest hits for a reason, I’ll tell you that.
Adam Lambert’s cover of “Ring of Fire.” (actually, I’m into anything he does lately, but…)
Apocalyptica is orchestral hard rock (not kidding), and “Faraway” is my favorite song of theirs. It’s the #1 played track on my iTunes.
Fleet Foxes has a weird mix of earthy 60s-sounding folk-pop and ethereal mixes. Their “Blue Ridge Mountains” is permanently on my writing/editing soundtrack.
Xploding Plastix is experimental jazz/electronica. I’m not sure if they’re what you’re looking for, but they’re worth having. Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents is my favorite of their albums.
The soundtrack for Black Hawk Down is amazing, hands-down. Which reminds me… where is mine??
Anyway. That should get you started. :)
Jules! Hi, hon :D
I have a couple of things by Fleet Foxes, but I don’t have that particular song. Sounds like it would fit perfectly though, since this book is mostly set in the Blue Ridge. Awesome suggestions, thank you!!
Hey, have you ever heard Wall of Voodoo’s version of “Ring of Fire”? Very different from the original, LOL, but I do love it. I like to find different versions of classic songs so I for sure want to hear Glambert’s version!
Cocteau Twins!
Needy needy woman. Ummm. I have no clue. I do know my friend just posted his playlist that he used when he finished his novel “yay him” last week and it was mostly sound track stuff from Battle Star Gallactica, Star Trek, etc. So you may find that helpful. No words to distract you. Okay, here’s his list. I know nothing about the music, or if it would fit or who the Icelandic person is, but you asked for ideas, here’s some ideas. :-)
Battlestar Sonatica by Bear McCreary from Battlestar Galactica
Forgiven by Bear McCreary from Battlestar Galactica
A Good Lighter by Bear McCreary from Battlestar Galactica
Inama Nushif by Brian Tyler from Children of Dune
The Day is Yours by Patrick Doyle from Henry V
Glasgow Love Theme by Craig Armstrong from Love, Actually
End Credits by Alan Silvestri from Castaway
Once Upon a Time…Storybook Love by Mark Knopfler from The Princess Bride
Dragonheart Theme by Randy Edelman from Dragonheart
Evening by Jan AP Kaczmarek from Evening
Watermark by Enya
Remember Me As a Time of Day by Explosions in the Sky
Star Trek: First Contact Theme by Jerry Goldsmith from Star Trek: First Contact
Life and Death by Michael Giacchino from Lost
Oceanic 815 by Michael Giacchino from Lost
Labor of Love by Michael Giacchino from Star Trek
No Sacrifice, No Victory by Steve Jablonsky from Transformers
My Name is Lincoln by Steve Jablonsky from The Island
Jack’s Love Theme by Ben Foster from Torchwood
The Battle by Harry Gregson-Williams from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Now We Are Free by Hans Zimmer from Gladiator
Star Trek: Generations Theme by Jerry Goldsmith from Star Trek: Generations
E.T. Theme by John Williams from E.T.
A.I. Theme by John Williams from A.I.
Good luck.
Anne, I’ve heard of the Cocteau Twins but don’t think I’ve ever listened to them. Will definitely have to check them out, thanks!
Tam, OMG, you HAVE to listen to Sigur Rós! They are an Icelandic band and there is absolutely no describing their music. I heart them like whoa.
Wow, that is quite a list of suggestions. LOL. I do like instrumentals for writing, so I don’t get too distracted by listening :D Thank you hon! And thanks to your friend as well. And big congrats to him for finishing his novel, that’s awesome!
O Sifuni moongu (I think I spelled that right!) It’s by First Call and only 1/2 of the song is in English (so, only 1/2 the distraction) the rest is Swa…Swaheeli?..Swahele?…African ;) anywho, great song, lots of drums and cool African vocals. It’s thier biggest hit, so they’ve redone it about a million times…look for the original that came out in the 90’s! It’ll blow your socks off!
Wow, Lainey, that sounds fantastic! Thanks for the suggestion :D
I’m getting all kinds of cool suggestions today, many thanks to everyone!
Um I’m not entirely sure how the “feel” will work until you’ve heard it, but Sea Wolf is fantastic – if a little bit chipper, as is Phoenix (specifically the Wolfgan Amadeus cd). You might try those. Actually, Sea Wolf has really helped to inspire some idea bunnies in my head so maybe it can work for others? :)
Best of luck to you!
Thanks, Elisa! I’ll check those out too. I like the names :D Wow, I like having all these new songs and bands to go listen to!
I think Sigur Ros was influenced by Cocteau Twins, so should be a good match.