I explained that the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is my all-time favorite writing band. Even if I'm depressed, blocked or dead-tired, the record Orange compels me to write.
Hoping to save a few writing careers, I queried the good folks over at Newsvine about their favorite writing bands--generating an impressive list of music that makes writers happy.
The list follows after the jump. Read it, and feel free to contribute more suggestions in the comments section...
Vicaxp offered some classic rock tunes: "Lately I've been listening to the songs from college, the Violent Femmes, Oingo Boingo, The Smiths, etc."
Yasmin loves movie soundtracks. "When the writing requires angst I reach for Gattaca or The English Patient. When I'm in description mode I'll go for an old favorite like The Fifth Element."
Jtallon had some other soundtrack choices: "If I'm plugging away at fiction, I'll often selectively plug in movie soundtracks like Gladiator, The Last Temptation of Christ, Braveheart, Twin Peaks, or any of a large list."
Behind My Screen recommended that writers check out Pandora, the free, customized music-sampling service: "They are great for free music stations that are tailored to what you like to here based on who you like, or a song you like."
Chello added some hip-hop suggestions: "Dilated People, Stevie Wonder, Tupac, Nirvana, Public Enemy."
Rwarner offered some mellow music: "If its moody Sam Cook , Ottis Redding, Etta James etc. Classical mostly if I have to really focus."
Olivetti250 weighed in with a wide selection: "Harvey Danger, CAKE, The Duhks, Carbon Leaf, Dispatch, Rob Zombie (I blame my years of playing D&D with college boys for that one) and then Frank Sinatra."
I prefer background music, trance, soundtracks, anything without words.
Lately, it's been Brian Eno's "Apollo" and "Ambient" albums, although while I was putting the final touches on a book review, I broke down and played the Clash's "London Calling", which I listened to so much when it came out in the '80s the words didn't bother me as much (although it was great it hear that, after all this time, it's still a killer album).
Posted by: Bill Peschel | November 6, 2006 4:05 PM | Permalink to Comment