Behind the Scenes
Music/Writing?
I understand some folks must write in silence, but for others – myself included – musical accompaniment helps lubricate the fingertips.
Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kinds of stuff? Do you avoid music with lyrics?
How do you use music? Do you use the emotion of the music to help guide (or instigate) the emotion of your work? Do you ride beats?
Although I am constantly (obsessively) hunting for, acquiring, and listening to new/different albums, there are a few go-to favorites I throw on when it’s time to get down with the wordage. Here are just a few of my personal recommendations — I would love to hear from other people about their practices and/or their recommendations:
Glenn Gould – A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)
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Dianogah – Millions of Brazilians (2002)
Stars – Set Yourself on Fire (2005)
Erik Satie – After the Rain (1996) performed by Pascal Rogé
Philip Glass – Solo Piano (1989)
Sigur Rós – með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (2008)
Coldworld – Melancholie (2008)
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (1970)
Tags: glenn gould, wu tang clan
great post. i often think of this. for six months i wrote to a vinyl copy of ‘born in the usa.’ hammered out prose to side A, and edited to side B. it was surprisingly effective. after three or four listens i’d call it a day and have a cigarette.
american black metal = great writing soundtrack, the drone of it, the blast beats. leviathan especially. the lyrics are unintelligible (usually), so it’s not so distracting and it’s always moving forward, propulsive.
also: supersilent, scott walker’s ‘black’ albums, wolf eyes. they all do the trick.
great post. i often think of this. for six months i wrote to a vinyl copy of ‘born in the usa.’ hammered out prose to side A, and edited to side B. it was surprisingly effective. after three or four listens i’d call it a day and have a cigarette.
american black metal = great writing soundtrack, the drone of it, the blast beats. leviathan especially. the lyrics are unintelligible (usually), so it’s not so distracting and it’s always moving forward, propulsive.
also: supersilent, scott walker’s ‘black’ albums, wolf eyes. they all do the trick.
I find late Radiohead (Amnesiac, Kid A, In Rainbows) works pretty well for me, because its main emotional thrust is instrumental-ish, even the vocals. OK Computer I can’t write alongside, because it’s too all-consuming.
Sometimes an album can help work me into a mood. David Bazan and Pedro the Lion do this job for me sometimes, and sometimes Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley or the soundtracks from O Brother Where Art Thou. Also, the Johnny Cash American Recordings albums. Once I get into the headspace fiction making requires, it almost doesn’t matter what’s on as long as it’s not something I don’t like or something all-consuming.
Sometimes I like to stream Pandora Radio, where you can program your stations. I have one station programmed with symphonic versions of Radiohead, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, etc. I also have a Gould station, a Sonic Youth station, an acoustic 90’s alt-rock station, a Jurassic 5 station. For whatever reason, these are helpful writing aides for me.
One thing I can’t usually do is get started writing in complete silence. I prefer CD to MP3, because it eventually stops and leaves me in silence, and a lot of good work happens then, because I’ve tricked my brain into easing into the meditative space silence amplifies.
I find late Radiohead (Amnesiac, Kid A, In Rainbows) works pretty well for me, because its main emotional thrust is instrumental-ish, even the vocals. OK Computer I can’t write alongside, because it’s too all-consuming.
Sometimes an album can help work me into a mood. David Bazan and Pedro the Lion do this job for me sometimes, and sometimes Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley or the soundtracks from O Brother Where Art Thou. Also, the Johnny Cash American Recordings albums. Once I get into the headspace fiction making requires, it almost doesn’t matter what’s on as long as it’s not something I don’t like or something all-consuming.
Sometimes I like to stream Pandora Radio, where you can program your stations. I have one station programmed with symphonic versions of Radiohead, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, etc. I also have a Gould station, a Sonic Youth station, an acoustic 90’s alt-rock station, a Jurassic 5 station. For whatever reason, these are helpful writing aides for me.
One thing I can’t usually do is get started writing in complete silence. I prefer CD to MP3, because it eventually stops and leaves me in silence, and a lot of good work happens then, because I’ve tricked my brain into easing into the meditative space silence amplifies.
I think it’s really interesting that you get started in silence, and then return to silence, that the music only plays some sort of ancillary role. i guess my question is: does the music you play to get you to that “mediatative” silence affect its results?
I think it’s really interesting that you get started in silence, and then return to silence, that the music only plays some sort of ancillary role. i guess my question is: does the music you play to get you to that “mediatative” silence affect its results?
I don’t know. My biggest problem in the daily practice of writing is getting started. I procrastinate every way I know how, then invent new ones. I stare at what I wrote before and decide it’s all terrible, or decide it’s the greatest thing since James Joyce, or my eyes glaze over and I wonder how anyone can make any meaning out of the shapes swimming through the white space. Or I think about how a reader will receive it. Or I think about how a critic will receive it. Or I think about how my mother will receive it. Or I think about how it’s not like this thing I just read that was better than anything I’ve ever written. Or I think a hundred digressive rabbit trails that could find their way into the narrative but which would most likely not improve it.
For me, it’s the act of inhabiting the consciousness of the point of view particular to whatever I’m writing that makes possible the drafting of something I can do something with, sometime later. And that’s really what I have trouble doing. My mind is very restless most of the time, and the kind of focused concentration writing requires is hard for me to achieve. I can achieve it with half a beer, but then I only can get an hour of writing done. I can achieve it with a cigarette, but then I feel badly the next day and can’t work anymore. I do drink Coke or coffee and that can be helpful. Sometimes if I ate blueberries earlier in the day I notice I can concentrate a little more. But somehow I have to take the edge off my own mental restlessness, and if I can do that without exhausting or impairing my body, all the better. The music things seems to help most often.
I feel weird about admitting these things in a public forum, because looking at what I have written it seems whiny and self-important, like I’m undertaking the great struggle of art on behalf of humankind or whatever. But, actually, that mentality — that what I’m trying to do is the most important thing anybody in the world is right now doing — is a helpful fiction. It takes not a little hubris to make something with an eye toward cultural significance. Not every writer thinks this is what it’s all about. I don’t think it’s what it’s ALL about, but I do aspire to it. Maybe the next book. Maybe the one after that. Maybe never. But I’m going to try my damnedest, and I’m going to do it my own way and nobody else’s. This seems necessary to me.
I don’t know. My biggest problem in the daily practice of writing is getting started. I procrastinate every way I know how, then invent new ones. I stare at what I wrote before and decide it’s all terrible, or decide it’s the greatest thing since James Joyce, or my eyes glaze over and I wonder how anyone can make any meaning out of the shapes swimming through the white space. Or I think about how a reader will receive it. Or I think about how a critic will receive it. Or I think about how my mother will receive it. Or I think about how it’s not like this thing I just read that was better than anything I’ve ever written. Or I think a hundred digressive rabbit trails that could find their way into the narrative but which would most likely not improve it.
For me, it’s the act of inhabiting the consciousness of the point of view particular to whatever I’m writing that makes possible the drafting of something I can do something with, sometime later. And that’s really what I have trouble doing. My mind is very restless most of the time, and the kind of focused concentration writing requires is hard for me to achieve. I can achieve it with half a beer, but then I only can get an hour of writing done. I can achieve it with a cigarette, but then I feel badly the next day and can’t work anymore. I do drink Coke or coffee and that can be helpful. Sometimes if I ate blueberries earlier in the day I notice I can concentrate a little more. But somehow I have to take the edge off my own mental restlessness, and if I can do that without exhausting or impairing my body, all the better. The music things seems to help most often.
I feel weird about admitting these things in a public forum, because looking at what I have written it seems whiny and self-important, like I’m undertaking the great struggle of art on behalf of humankind or whatever. But, actually, that mentality — that what I’m trying to do is the most important thing anybody in the world is right now doing — is a helpful fiction. It takes not a little hubris to make something with an eye toward cultural significance. Not every writer thinks this is what it’s all about. I don’t think it’s what it’s ALL about, but I do aspire to it. Maybe the next book. Maybe the one after that. Maybe never. But I’m going to try my damnedest, and I’m going to do it my own way and nobody else’s. This seems necessary to me.
that’s a pretty fucking good answer
that’s a pretty fucking good answer
music helps me write, i think. i don’t always listen to music when i write, but often i do. when i did my undergrad thesis i included a list of every album i listened to while writing it. sometimes the music can be anything. sometimes the right album helps fuel me in ways i didn’t expect. sometimes a certain album just connects with a project i’m working on and i don’t even necessarily have to be listening to it, but if i put it on i go “shit yeah, this fits.”
music helps me write, i think. i don’t always listen to music when i write, but often i do. when i did my undergrad thesis i included a list of every album i listened to while writing it. sometimes the music can be anything. sometimes the right album helps fuel me in ways i didn’t expect. sometimes a certain album just connects with a project i’m working on and i don’t even necessarily have to be listening to it, but if i put it on i go “shit yeah, this fits.”
Thanks for the comment, David. I’m going to have to check out Leviathan for sure. I listen to Sun O))) and Wolves in the Throne Room sometimes when I’m writing…would love to learn more about that breed of music.
Thanks for the comment, David. I’m going to have to check out Leviathan for sure. I listen to Sun O))) and Wolves in the Throne Room sometimes when I’m writing…would love to learn more about that breed of music.
Kyle! Radiohead’s Kid A = YES!!! I must get back into the habit of doing the whole Pandora thing. I used to do it, but haven’t for a long while. Thanks for reminding me.
i’d start with ‘tentacles of whorror,” personally. it’s the best distillation of what he’s doing. far superior to xasthur–at least his recent records.
if you like sunn, and are interested in BM, have you looked into KTL? it’s all drone-based, using black metal aesthetics. really, really wonderful stuff.
Kyle! Radiohead’s Kid A = YES!!! I must get back into the habit of doing the whole Pandora thing. I used to do it, but haven’t for a long while. Thanks for reminding me.
i’d start with ‘tentacles of whorror,” personally. it’s the best distillation of what he’s doing. far superior to xasthur–at least his recent records.
if you like sunn, and are interested in BM, have you looked into KTL? it’s all drone-based, using black metal aesthetics. really, really wonderful stuff.
Hey Chris,
I miss having you around to argue and bitch with. I was thinking the other day about that day we took the long walk in the cold and rain in Bowling Green and talked about Philip Roth’s The Counterlife after your formal constraints seminar and then got coffee and put the brown sugar in it. I would be so happy to be back to the days when I could meet you and Okla at some Mexican restaurant or basement bar in Columbus and talk turkey. This HTMLGiant stuff is about as close as it gets these days. There aren’t many people in Toledo who care enough about Harry Mathews to have a conversation about him.
Hey Chris,
I miss having you around to argue and bitch with. I was thinking the other day about that day we took the long walk in the cold and rain in Bowling Green and talked about Philip Roth’s The Counterlife after your formal constraints seminar and then got coffee and put the brown sugar in it. I would be so happy to be back to the days when I could meet you and Okla at some Mexican restaurant or basement bar in Columbus and talk turkey. This HTMLGiant stuff is about as close as it gets these days. There aren’t many people in Toledo who care enough about Harry Mathews to have a conversation about him.
G-Unit or something great than or equal to.
Older punk (Dead Kennedy’s, etc.)
Things with sustained rhythms, not really to feel emotions or garner idea, but i believe i type better when my fingers can coincide with something like that on the keyboard. Especially the punk music, i tend to almost hit the keys.
otherwise, silence.
*greater than.
G-Unit or something great than or equal to.
Older punk (Dead Kennedy’s, etc.)
Things with sustained rhythms, not really to feel emotions or garner idea, but i believe i type better when my fingers can coincide with something like that on the keyboard. Especially the punk music, i tend to almost hit the keys.
otherwise, silence.
*greater than.
SET YOURSELF ON FIRE, I completely forgot about that album. I just added it to my iTunes “writing music” playlist. Thanks for the reminder.
I suggest everyone try out the following. These don’t have lyrics, which work the best for me:
Anything by Bohren und der Club of Gore – they are a German (I think) slooooowww jazz group, almost so slow that one could easily forget they are even playing. Beautiful mood music.
the score to NIGHT ON EARTH – Tom Waits did this hard to get album (try iTunes or gomusic.ru). This has no lyrics, and all of the Tom Waits goodness from his Rain Dogs era days.
The STATION disk by Russian Circles – a little heavier than the above suggestions.
SET YOURSELF ON FIRE, I completely forgot about that album. I just added it to my iTunes “writing music” playlist. Thanks for the reminder.
I suggest everyone try out the following. These don’t have lyrics, which work the best for me:
Anything by Bohren und der Club of Gore – they are a German (I think) slooooowww jazz group, almost so slow that one could easily forget they are even playing. Beautiful mood music.
the score to NIGHT ON EARTH – Tom Waits did this hard to get album (try iTunes or gomusic.ru). This has no lyrics, and all of the Tom Waits goodness from his Rain Dogs era days.
The STATION disk by Russian Circles – a little heavier than the above suggestions.
Cool list, Chris.
Everyone: Thanks for the suggestions.
I think half of the fun of writing, for me, is to try to find acoustic silence and then puncture it with keystroke; also I would equate writing, in the best of it, to silencing the brain/making the ego disappear.
So: yeah, I write in silence. Although I like to think ideas out in music. WuTang/Sigur Ros: Yes. A lot, and I mean a lot, of classical. That’s a separate post completely. :)
Cool list, Chris.
Everyone: Thanks for the suggestions.
I think half of the fun of writing, for me, is to try to find acoustic silence and then puncture it with keystroke; also I would equate writing, in the best of it, to silencing the brain/making the ego disappear.
So: yeah, I write in silence. Although I like to think ideas out in music. WuTang/Sigur Ros: Yes. A lot, and I mean a lot, of classical. That’s a separate post completely. :)
I usually am always listening to something – usually just my ipod on shuffle. More than once, though, a song has really fueled a piece. These instances are unpredictable and, probably were one to listen to the song, it wouldn’t seem like the story and the song had anything in common, but it moved me through – some obsession was driving both at the same time, whether it was a rhythm or a line or just me needing to keep moving at the same pace or have a uniform brain setting for the whole thing.
OK.
Here are songs/ albums that I can easily remember that happening with:
All of Elliott Smith’s Either/ Or album.
Gillian Welch: Elvis Presley Blues
Cat Power: Silver Stallion
Golden Shoulders: I Will Light You On Fire
Jeff Buckley: Corpus Christi Carol
Joanna Newsom: Bridges and Balloons
Patti Smith: Redondo Beach
Patty Griffin: Mother of God
Songs Ohia: Didn’t It Rain
Talking Heads: Naive Melody
The Tom Waits album “Alice”
I usually am always listening to something – usually just my ipod on shuffle. More than once, though, a song has really fueled a piece. These instances are unpredictable and, probably were one to listen to the song, it wouldn’t seem like the story and the song had anything in common, but it moved me through – some obsession was driving both at the same time, whether it was a rhythm or a line or just me needing to keep moving at the same pace or have a uniform brain setting for the whole thing.
OK.
Here are songs/ albums that I can easily remember that happening with:
All of Elliott Smith’s Either/ Or album.
Gillian Welch: Elvis Presley Blues
Cat Power: Silver Stallion
Golden Shoulders: I Will Light You On Fire
Jeff Buckley: Corpus Christi Carol
Joanna Newsom: Bridges and Balloons
Patti Smith: Redondo Beach
Patty Griffin: Mother of God
Songs Ohia: Didn’t It Rain
Talking Heads: Naive Melody
The Tom Waits album “Alice”
totally solo piano. holy shit. so good.
also john lurie’s soundtrack to stranger than paradise.
also songs and poems for cello.
also shaker loops.
also i generally make playlists to sort of follow how i want a section or poem or some other length of writing, to sort of follow ways that i want it to move.
i listen to things with words a lot to see if i can work it into the piece.
that has happened with the national a lot. but i also end up excising those sometimes.
but things that i know have been a big part of the last year or two
miles benjamin anthony robinson buriedfed
akron/family i’ll be on the water
televison marquee moon
daniel rossen waterfall
tallest man on earth the gardener
here she comes now velvet underground
devendra banhart the good red road
angles of light destroyer
i feel like i’ve been listening to a lot of hank williams lately.
whatever.
springsteen: all the time every day
totally solo piano. holy shit. so good.
also john lurie’s soundtrack to stranger than paradise.
also songs and poems for cello.
also shaker loops.
also i generally make playlists to sort of follow how i want a section or poem or some other length of writing, to sort of follow ways that i want it to move.
i listen to things with words a lot to see if i can work it into the piece.
that has happened with the national a lot. but i also end up excising those sometimes.
but things that i know have been a big part of the last year or two
miles benjamin anthony robinson buriedfed
akron/family i’ll be on the water
televison marquee moon
daniel rossen waterfall
tallest man on earth the gardener
here she comes now velvet underground
devendra banhart the good red road
angles of light destroyer
i feel like i’ve been listening to a lot of hank williams lately.
whatever.
springsteen: all the time every day
OM.
fuck all this black metal bullshit.
listen to OM.
OM.
fuck all this black metal bullshit.
listen to OM.
Why do most writers have such boring taste in music?
I listen to the soundtrack to Bye Bye Birdie, and I write all first drafts by hand. Typing is lame.
Why do most writers have such boring taste in music?
I listen to the soundtrack to Bye Bye Birdie, and I write all first drafts by hand. Typing is lame.
i’ve got OM records, too, Sasha. they’re not exclusive.
now this i agree with
i’ve got OM records, too, Sasha. they’re not exclusive.
now this i agree with
I listen to music all the time. Sometimes, I make little soundtracks for stories. I generally write to musicals because I’m really into them–Next to Normal, Side Show, In the Heights, Dreamgirls, whatever. I just like the story arcs set to music and the emoting and such. It makes writing that much more fun. Ani Di Franco’s Swan Dive is also a great track by which to write.
I listen to music all the time. Sometimes, I make little soundtracks for stories. I generally write to musicals because I’m really into them–Next to Normal, Side Show, In the Heights, Dreamgirls, whatever. I just like the story arcs set to music and the emoting and such. It makes writing that much more fun. Ani Di Franco’s Swan Dive is also a great track by which to write.
Slim Thug and Mastodon
Slim Thug and Mastodon
i coulda sworn i posted a reply that said,
“miles benjamin anthony robinson buriedfed”
hells yeah.
i’m having a weird computer day.
i coulda sworn i posted a reply that said,
“miles benjamin anthony robinson buriedfed”
hells yeah.
i’m having a weird computer day.
Ayo my rap style swing like Willie Mays / My eyes Purple Haze, my solar rays’ll burn through shades
My grenades raid the airwaves, catch this rap page / I glide like, hovercrafts on the Everglades
Boom master, with the faster blade, track slasher / Manufacture poems to microphones, bones fracture
Limited edition composition spark friction non-fiction / The calm bomb keep your arm distant
Zero tolerance, dominant intelligence / Wu original, true colors step from the melanin
The most high, most try to get close by and overthrow I, but choke with they hopes up high
I circulate the tri-state and vibrate beyond the Richter / Fly sistas flock when they spot this live nigga
The crowd seducer blacken third eye before I lose ya / Verbal high leave sties in the eyes of Medusa
Top ten, parley like Cochran, it’s often / Narrow margin of your odds to dodge the marksman
Murder rap, kill you soft like Roberta Flack / Words attack like a british bulldog, observe the stacks
Ayo my rap style swing like Willie Mays / My eyes Purple Haze, my solar rays’ll burn through shades
My grenades raid the airwaves, catch this rap page / I glide like, hovercrafts on the Everglades
Boom master, with the faster blade, track slasher / Manufacture poems to microphones, bones fracture
Limited edition composition spark friction non-fiction / The calm bomb keep your arm distant
Zero tolerance, dominant intelligence / Wu original, true colors step from the melanin
The most high, most try to get close by and overthrow I, but choke with they hopes up high
I circulate the tri-state and vibrate beyond the Richter / Fly sistas flock when they spot this live nigga
The crowd seducer blacken third eye before I lose ya / Verbal high leave sties in the eyes of Medusa
Top ten, parley like Cochran, it’s often / Narrow margin of your odds to dodge the marksman
Murder rap, kill you soft like Roberta Flack / Words attack like a british bulldog, observe the stacks
Yes!! Inspectah Deck.
Yes!! Inspectah Deck.
Indeed, Kyle. You nearly convinced me to reconsider Roth that afternoon. I’m actually gonna be reading The Ghost Writer for a course this semester. I’ll let you know how it goes…
Indeed, Kyle. You nearly convinced me to reconsider Roth that afternoon. I’m actually gonna be reading The Ghost Writer for a course this semester. I’ll let you know how it goes…
I used to listen to Ani D.’s Living in Clip on repeat for hours and hours – I need to go back and revisit it. Good call.
I used to listen to Ani D.’s Living in Clip on repeat for hours and hours – I need to go back and revisit it. Good call.
fine.
fine.
we gettin paid we gettin dressed for the weather now
we gettin paid we gettin dressed for the weather now
Speaking of Wu-Tang, the new Reakwon album is actually really hot
Speaking of Wu-Tang, the new Reakwon album is actually really hot
funeral music.
about-to-get-it movie music.
porno music.
whales singing.
testicular sonogram blood-flow music.
seriously: mostly it’s Leonard Cohen.
funeral music.
about-to-get-it movie music.
porno music.
whales singing.
testicular sonogram blood-flow music.
seriously: mostly it’s Leonard Cohen.
it was silence for a long time, but lately I have found stuff that can be way background that seems to work. it cant have singing unless it’s choral. that solo piano is good, i listen to that at work, i have a massive list of glass and chopin and various others i listen to at work, which requires a different kind of thinking than writing. i am mostly only writing to brian eno and john cage these days though, if anything.
it was silence for a long time, but lately I have found stuff that can be way background that seems to work. it cant have singing unless it’s choral. that solo piano is good, i listen to that at work, i have a massive list of glass and chopin and various others i listen to at work, which requires a different kind of thinking than writing. i am mostly only writing to brian eno and john cage these days though, if anything.
I find her music so invigorating. She is fierce. And that album is one of her finest.
I find her music so invigorating. She is fierce. And that album is one of her finest.
Yeah. Nebraska and The River.
Yeah. Nebraska and The River.
Hey Chris, I just picked that Glenn Gould up off emusic after reading your post. It’s truly exquisite. Thanks!
I don’t usually play music when I write because I often am reading aloud as I go, sounding sentences out by ear–especially when I’m doing heavy editing and revision. But sometimes when I’m working on something particular where certain music seems relevant, I play it while I’m doing my zero draft, to try and get in the mood. The novel I’m working on now has called for a lot of punk rock- The other day I was listening to Fang. Except for the song about how handicapped people annoy him, it’s pretty amazing. I had forgotten that Nirvana covered “The Money Will Roll Right In.” Which reminds me- back when I was in middle school, and my basic desire for life was to BE Nirvana, I used to write exclusively while listening to their albums over and over. But as Bob Dylan says in his back pages: “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”
Hey Chris, I just picked that Glenn Gould up off emusic after reading your post. It’s truly exquisite. Thanks!
I don’t usually play music when I write because I often am reading aloud as I go, sounding sentences out by ear–especially when I’m doing heavy editing and revision. But sometimes when I’m working on something particular where certain music seems relevant, I play it while I’m doing my zero draft, to try and get in the mood. The novel I’m working on now has called for a lot of punk rock- The other day I was listening to Fang. Except for the song about how handicapped people annoy him, it’s pretty amazing. I had forgotten that Nirvana covered “The Money Will Roll Right In.” Which reminds me- back when I was in middle school, and my basic desire for life was to BE Nirvana, I used to write exclusively while listening to their albums over and over. But as Bob Dylan says in his back pages: “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”
“Eye of the Tiger” on continuous loop
“Eye of the Tiger” on continuous loop
Winner!
Winner!
oh, sweet – that’s what i kill tigers to; i find it really motivating.
also, i’d just like to go on record saying that i hate springsteen more than any of you could possibly imagine. except for a 7″ of the boss and the bandits which i destroyed in a skeet shoot despite the fact that it had some ok synth and pretty cool bass. but the idea of anyone writing to that garbage makes absolutely no sense unless you’re writing about suicide.
oh, and re: Ben Boykevich – i don’t even have a computer! – my tigers dictate everything for me; they’ve all got iPhones these days. it’s a crazy world. well, time to get back to shooting skeet. i just picked up ‘born in the usa’ today.
oh, sweet – that’s what i kill tigers to; i find it really motivating.
also, i’d just like to go on record saying that i hate springsteen more than any of you could possibly imagine. except for a 7″ of the boss and the bandits which i destroyed in a skeet shoot despite the fact that it had some ok synth and pretty cool bass. but the idea of anyone writing to that garbage makes absolutely no sense unless you’re writing about suicide.
oh, and re: Ben Boykevich – i don’t even have a computer! – my tigers dictate everything for me; they’ve all got iPhones these days. it’s a crazy world. well, time to get back to shooting skeet. i just picked up ‘born in the usa’ today.
no. all of it. everything. even that fucking santa claus is coming to town. and the river is no darkness on the edge of town. nor is it born in the usa. nor is it the first three discs of tracks. nor is it born to run.
but it does have hungry heart.
no. all of it. everything. even that fucking santa claus is coming to town. and the river is no darkness on the edge of town. nor is it born in the usa. nor is it the first three discs of tracks. nor is it born to run.
but it does have hungry heart.
Hey Justin,
Glad to hear that you picked up that Gould, and that you are enjoying it.
The difference between the two versions is so striking to me. I think the early version exhibits his youthful exuberance, while the later version is absolutely haunting, as if you can actually hear the weight of his life bearing down on him.
I was working on a novel a few years ago and I would listen to the early version while I was working on the young character and then I would switch to the later version when I was working on the older character. It really seemed to help.
I’ve never heard of Fang; I’ll have to seek them out.
Hey Justin,
Glad to hear that you picked up that Gould, and that you are enjoying it.
The difference between the two versions is so striking to me. I think the early version exhibits his youthful exuberance, while the later version is absolutely haunting, as if you can actually hear the weight of his life bearing down on him.
I was working on a novel a few years ago and I would listen to the early version while I was working on the young character and then I would switch to the later version when I was working on the older character. It really seemed to help.
I’ve never heard of Fang; I’ll have to seek them out.
Supersilent – 1-3
DJ Olive – Sleep; Buoy; Triage
Tyondai Braxton – History That Has No Effect
Toby Driver – In L..L..Library Loft
The Mercury Program – A Data Learn the Language
Tangerine Dream – Zeit
Manuel Gottsching – E2-E4
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
Loscil – Triple Point
Kreng – L’Autopsie Phénoménale De Dieu
Supersilent – 1-3
DJ Olive – Sleep; Buoy; Triage
Tyondai Braxton – History That Has No Effect
Toby Driver – In L..L..Library Loft
The Mercury Program – A Data Learn the Language
Tangerine Dream – Zeit
Manuel Gottsching – E2-E4
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
Loscil – Triple Point
Kreng – L’Autopsie Phénoménale De Dieu
Damn straight. USBM. Xasthur’s early work is great – Funeral of Being, Suicide in Dark Serenity, Gates through Bloodstained Mirrors. The later stuff isn’t so good. Leviathan Slays.
I’ve heard very good things about Dead Reptile Shrine and Wolves int he Throne Room.
Drone – Black Boned Angel (project of Campbell Kneale of Birchville Cat Motel/Our Love Will Destroy the World). Kevin Drumm.
Wolf Eyes kill.
Scott Walker is amazing.
So are OM, and Six Organs of Admittance.
The Dead C.
I do try and avoid lyrics though – The Neurot pssych0drone stuff like Harvestman and Tarantula hawk is good, or Coil’s instrumental stuff. or Nurse With Wound (esp Salt Marie Celeste and Thunder Perfect Mind)
Damn straight. USBM. Xasthur’s early work is great – Funeral of Being, Suicide in Dark Serenity, Gates through Bloodstained Mirrors. The later stuff isn’t so good. Leviathan Slays.
I’ve heard very good things about Dead Reptile Shrine and Wolves int he Throne Room.
Drone – Black Boned Angel (project of Campbell Kneale of Birchville Cat Motel/Our Love Will Destroy the World). Kevin Drumm.
Wolf Eyes kill.
Scott Walker is amazing.
So are OM, and Six Organs of Admittance.
The Dead C.
I do try and avoid lyrics though – The Neurot pssych0drone stuff like Harvestman and Tarantula hawk is good, or Coil’s instrumental stuff. or Nurse With Wound (esp Salt Marie Celeste and Thunder Perfect Mind)
Fuck Radiohead. They’re the Pink Floyd of the nineties – the lazy man’s faux-interesting muzak. they’re not even as involving as Sonic Youth (see http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/011115.html and http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/011107.html ).
Fuck Radiohead. They’re the Pink Floyd of the nineties – the lazy man’s faux-interesting muzak. they’re not even as involving as Sonic Youth (see http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/011115.html and http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/011107.html ).
Angels of Light, Word. The first album (New Mother) at least.
Solo Piano – Cecil Taylor. Lord of all pianists.
Angels of Light, Word. The first album (New Mother) at least.
Solo Piano – Cecil Taylor. Lord of all pianists.
Oh and Kudos on Gould and Glass – both fantastic.
Oh and Kudos on Gould and Glass – both fantastic.
Justin, have you read Bernhard’s The Loser? All about (in some sense) Gould’s Goldberg Variations.
Justin, have you read Bernhard’s The Loser? All about (in some sense) Gould’s Goldberg Variations.
Christopher and everyone that posted: Thank you!
I just got heaps of great new music due to reading this.
My two cents (like a lot of you, it’s mostly on the instrumental side):
Derek Bailey – Ballads
Eric Dolphy – Berlin Concerts
Fennesz – Black Sea
Growing – All the Way
Mouse on Mars – Varcharz
Ornette Coleman Trio – At the ‘Golden Circle’ Stockholm
On the lyric’d side (perhaps to get “hyped” to write):
Robyn Hitchcock’s Eye
Simon Joyner – Hotel Lives
Christopher and everyone that posted: Thank you!
I just got heaps of great new music due to reading this.
My two cents (like a lot of you, it’s mostly on the instrumental side):
Derek Bailey – Ballads
Eric Dolphy – Berlin Concerts
Fennesz – Black Sea
Growing – All the Way
Mouse on Mars – Varcharz
Ornette Coleman Trio – At the ‘Golden Circle’ Stockholm
On the lyric’d side (perhaps to get “hyped” to write):
Robyn Hitchcock’s Eye
Simon Joyner – Hotel Lives
Tyondai Braxton’s album is magical for writing, yes!
Tyondai Braxton’s album is magical for writing, yes!
music tends to take the foreground of my attention to the degree that i lose motor skills when under its influence, so for the longest time i used to be unable to write unless in silence. lately though i’ve discovered the exception is either philip glass string quartets (3 & 5) or something with a blue or green sound as long as it’s on loop. 80s (joy division, echo & the bunnymen, the church), shoegaze, sparklehorse, popplagid from ( ), violin phase by steve reich.
yes to cat power
yes to bitches brew
yes to akron/family
obvious yes to kid a / amnesiac. also the i might be wrong version of everything in its right place
obvious yes to robert a. zimmerman
the trick is the loop. and by about the 9th listen you strike a nerve and can begin beginning.
music tends to take the foreground of my attention to the degree that i lose motor skills when under its influence, so for the longest time i used to be unable to write unless in silence. lately though i’ve discovered the exception is either philip glass string quartets (3 & 5) or something with a blue or green sound as long as it’s on loop. 80s (joy division, echo & the bunnymen, the church), shoegaze, sparklehorse, popplagid from ( ), violin phase by steve reich.
yes to cat power
yes to bitches brew
yes to akron/family
obvious yes to kid a / amnesiac. also the i might be wrong version of everything in its right place
obvious yes to robert a. zimmerman
the trick is the loop. and by about the 9th listen you strike a nerve and can begin beginning.
Here’s THE question:
Headphones?
Here’s THE question:
Headphones?
the only stuff that I can listen to while writing, and the stuff I listen to with the intention of writing: MOONDOG
the only stuff that I can listen to while writing, and the stuff I listen to with the intention of writing: MOONDOG
YES! Moondog! For anyone who might be interested, here is a link to a gob of free Moondog albums: http://experimentaletc.blogspot.com/search/label/Moondog
YES! Moondog! For anyone who might be interested, here is a link to a gob of free Moondog albums: http://experimentaletc.blogspot.com/search/label/Moondog
No “Burning Heart”?
No “Burning Heart”?
during creation – Fever Dog by Stillwater
during revisions – Reba
during creation – Fever Dog by Stillwater
during revisions – Reba
I always listen to music when writing, usually stuff I’ve been listening to my whole life. I don’t get as distracted that way.
I always listen to music when writing, usually stuff I’ve been listening to my whole life. I don’t get as distracted that way.
last month or so I haven’t been able to write w/o the glassworks ablum by philip glass playing full-bore into my headphones, over and over and over and over and over, for the full 5hr session.
I get stuck on a album that’s helping my writing and i listen to it until the hinges fall off, or something.
last month or so I haven’t been able to write w/o the glassworks ablum by philip glass playing full-bore into my headphones, over and over and over and over and over, for the full 5hr session.
I get stuck on a album that’s helping my writing and i listen to it until the hinges fall off, or something.
and it has to be headphones. big ones that envelop the ears. keeps the thoughts closeted in where they belond.
and it has to be headphones. big ones that envelop the ears. keeps the thoughts closeted in where they belond.
Bjorn Olsson – Instrumentals
Arthur Russell – First Thought, Best Thought
Boredoms – Vision Creation Newsun Rebore Vol. 0 (ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUSLY INSANELY GOOD)
Miles Davis – In a Silent Way
Bjorn Olsson – Instrumentals
Arthur Russell – First Thought, Best Thought
Boredoms – Vision Creation Newsun Rebore Vol. 0 (ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUSLY INSANELY GOOD)
Miles Davis – In a Silent Way
headphones are the only.
i wish i could splurge on big bose headphones every time
but i destroy expensive and cheap headphones at the same rate
which is quicker than sand
so i buy cheap to mid-range
headphones are the only.
i wish i could splurge on big bose headphones every time
but i destroy expensive and cheap headphones at the same rate
which is quicker than sand
so i buy cheap to mid-range
[…] to writing. We’ve talked a lot about ways we continue to inspire ourselves to create text (what music we listen to or what art we look at, for example), so this is more of an origins question: the origins of your […]