Music Recommendations

Music can be an important part of writing for some people. I have found this to be very true in my own writing endeavors. Even though I can write with any kind of music going on, if I want a particular mood (like my characters traveling through a dark, haunted forest at night), then I go for a specific genra or sound. Music, for me, also provides inspiration for character or story themes or a particular scene. My recent novel series has especially relied quite a bit on music, which has required me to find new stuff via grooveshark or youtube.

For those of us writers who like using music when they get all creative, I now present a list of certain kinds of music that I hope will benefit you too.

Medieval

Most Medieval music, to me, does not very pleasing to the ear, largely because the music sounds off-key or like the instrument is not properly tuned. However, there are some Medieval-esque bands that do actually sound good and have gotten my creative juices going.

Estampie- This band from Germany has quite a bit of talent in their acoustic Medieval pieces. The songs, some of which are instrumental, are mostly vocal, and the tones can differ from a lively dance to a religious chant to a military march, depending on what you are looking for.

Dead Can Dance- the band has quite a variety (as it will show up in different categories), but the following songs have a Medieval or semi-Medieval feel to them: "The Arrival and Reunion," "Saltarello," and "Orbis de Ignis."

The Soil Bleeds Black- I confess that I have only experience with two of their songs. They can sound a bit off-key, but they nonetheless work for me. Their two songs are: "Kyrie Eleison" and "A Song for Thy Lady."

Now for an individual song: "Stella Splendens" by Vox Vulgaris. This is a beautiful, long instrumental piece that I love to use.

Traditional Celtic

I will freely admit that I am a big lover of Celtic music, especially since some of my stories in the past have been Celtic-inspired (like the use of tartans, family clans, etc...). There is quite a lot out there, but here is what I am most familiar with.

The Chieftains- this band has been in existence for several decades, and it has a strong authentic feel as they use acoustic, traditional instruments and play (or sing) traditional Celtic music .They have varied tones, so you can have laments, marches, or dances among the songs. One of their albums also has a Chinese-esque feel, which is quite interesting, and they have also done collaborations with American bluegrass artists.

Altan- I am not as familiar with this band as I am with The Chieftains. They have a mixture of voices and instrumentals, and they have a variation of tones.

Clannad- this band does several other genras, but their stuff between 1973 and 1981 (the albums Clannad, Clannad 2, Dulaman, Cran Ull, and Fuiam) is a traditional with a few modern influences.

Maggie Sansone- as a child, I loved listening to her "Mist and Stone" album. This album is fully instrumental (mostly the hammered dulcimer with other acoustic instruments) and has dances, laments, and marches to name a few.

The Corrs- mostly this Irish band focuses on pop, but they do have a few traditional-sounding songs. For them, try: "The Minstrel Boy," "Toss the Feathers" (the live acoustic version), "Spancil Hill," "Old Hag", "Haste to the Wedding", and "Rebel Heart."

The album "Celtic Fantasy" by David Davidson- this song is not as traditional as the previous offerings, but it is nonetheless a beautiful album with the theme of prehistoric Ireland and Irish legends/mythology.

The album "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" by Loreena McKennitt- McKennitt is generally is varied, but this album is very Celtic-themed. The first five songs, in particular, are stunning.

The album "The Water Is Wide" by Orla Fallon- Fallon is a harpist and singer, and this is her most traditional Irish album out of her work.

Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean

Most Middle Eastern or Mediterranean stuff that I listen to for inspiration is actually either soundtracks or songs done by New Age or World music artists. Even though I know of some beautiful songs from the genra, unfortunately I have yet to find a story to use them for.

Dead Can Dance- the band, as I said, is varied in its musical offerings, but the following have the flavor: "Indus," "Lotus Eaters," and "Towards the Within."

Arcana- the band is also varied in its sound, but the following sound Middle Eastern or Mediterranean to me: "Nemesis," "Inceptus," and "Medea."

Loreena McKennitt- try her songs "Mystic's Dream", "Marco Polo" (either live or her CD version will do), "Santiago" (this one sounds more Spanish in its feel but still fits into the Mediterranean theme), "Kecharitomene", and "Beneath the Phrygian Sky."

Lisa Gerrard- the female half of Dead Can Dance has a strong Mediterranean feel in her solo work as well. Especially on her songs "Elegy" and "Song of Amergin."

Diane Arkenstone/David Arkenstone- try the following: "Across the Sands of Time" (there is a shorter version from the "Best of" album from Diane, which in my opinion sounds better) and "Seduction."

Gothic/Dark

Sometimes, one needs dark-sounding music for a dark story. The following fit the bill.

Dargaard- this band is a man, a woman, and a synthezier with a very dark, creepy feel. Most songs are sung, though there are a few instrumentals among their four albums. Be careful, though; their music is rather dark, and I can't listen to them for a long time before seeking to lighten my mood.

Artesia- this band is two women who mostly vocalize. They have a dark feel to their music, but it is not as dreary and creepy as Dargaard's. Nonetheless, they have some lovely pieces.

Dead Can Dance- the following two songs fit into the genre: "Host of Seraphim" and "Summoning of the Muse."

Arcana- some of their songs have a gothic feel but don't make your skin crawl. Namely the following: "Calm before the Storm", "Like Statues in the Garden of Dreaming", "Chant of the Awakening," "God of the Winds", and "Dreams Are Made of Sand."

Qntal- the band (which is a side project of the previously mentioned Estampie) is largely metal or electronic, but their album "Silver Swan" has a gothic, orchestral feel to it.

I am still learning more about different artists and their music to help me write. Creating radio stations on the website Pandora has been very helpful in introducing me to several of the mentioned artists. If you find an artist you like, you can also use last.fm to find similar artists and see who is considered like them, and it has come in great handy for me.

I hope the following list helps you find more music fitting to your writing, and I will try to post more music lists in the future.