I listen to the same nine songs when I write. Every. Single. Time. It’s become so much of a habit that by the time I get to the end of the first track (58 seconds) I’ve slipped into my story and I’m away.
I only need twenty minutes to reach the 1000 word mark. This EP has just over that and is perfect for pacing myself with. I know when the last track comes on that I have just under three minutes to wrap up my writing session, and it gets me there with a grin on my face.
The funny thing is that this is not the music anyone would typically associate with me. It’s nothing like the other things I listen to, but I LOVE it. I sing along, head bopping, lyrics effortlessly leaving my lips. Rest of the world tuned out. Eyes on the screen.
Of course, I may have to hit pause now and then (when does a mother ever get 20 mins to herself? lol), but having this musical cue is proving to be a real blessing. Let’s hope I never get sick of Kidz in Space. I get the feeling that as long as the words are flowing, they are going to be my ‘most played’ artists.
If you’re curious, below is track two from the Kidz in Space EP: The Off Cuts Mixtape. It’s a mash up with a song that shares the name (In Your Blood), by another kiwi band called Computers Want Me Dead.
What do you write to??
I love this. I love to write to upbeat music like this, too. It’s not always the same songs, but it tends to be around the veins of Mutemath, Black Ghosts, The XX, etc. But I end up tuning it out as soon as I start writing.
On a side note, I have a strange appreciation for text music videos.
haha, me too! I think it was a fan who made that one up, but text totally works for me
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I’ll have to check out those names.
A lot of electronic new age stuff. Phil Thornton really gets me going, as does Era and Enigma.
More suggestions of things to experiment with! Thanks
I use music sometimes to find a story in, but I must always write in silence. Preferably absolute!
Out of curiosity, how do you sing along and write at the same time?
Some of the lyrics are so deeply ingrained that I don’t even need to think about them to sing them. It’s just like talking and typing, a skill I learned many years ago now.
I used to write in silence, but then I had kids and my steady supply of silence dried up.
Ah yes, kids don’t come with mute buttons do they.
I should learn to write with distraction – might make me less peevish when I don’t get my absolute silence!
There’s no way I could write to music with lyrics. That’s some talent!
I do listen to music while writing, though. I find Zoe Keating great to write to. I also sometimes write to Pink Floyd’s instrumental pieces, or something classical like Mozart.
Very cool! I will have to check out Zoe Keating, never heard of her.
I used to write to music with no lyrics, but I think after listening to something for so long, the lyrics just become part of the music.
Thanks for stopping by!
Zoe is amazing. I saw her in concert along with Imogen Heap. She plays the cello.
FYI, although all the mentions of this free EP have all but died away on the net (they gave it away for Christmas either last year or the one before), the link to the free download is still there;
http://www.sendspace.com/file/z6xikj
Thanks, Tama! Didn’t realize it was still available.
I listen to a variety of music. Soundtracks, scores, with and without words. I totally agree with you about the lyrics simply becoming part of the music. After listening to anything for long enough I find that I sing along without even realizing I’m doing it.
I am actually very big on lyrics and some playlists that get created for writing end up telling the story that I am working on very well.
I’d love to do that sometime! I don’t think my pool of artists is anywhere near big enough though. In fact, I think it’s been almost a year since I got a new CD. And, I don’t remember the last time I made a purchase at iTunes. I am really out of date with any current trends in music, and if I like a song, I just listen to it on Youtube… SAD! lol Maybe next year I will make it a goal to immerse myself in some new music and find out what I like.
I’m thoroughly boring. I write to silence. Whatever scraps of it I can find!
Cassie… Seriously… you crank out 1000 words in 20 mins? Oh my gosh I’m impressed. I have some serious speeding up to do!
I used to have to type about 90 words per minute for one of my old jobs, so once I am in my writing groove, it doesn’t take long to get the words out
It’s just a matter of sitting down, getting to that place, and running with it. Everyone writes at different paces! I think it’s more important to be aware of how much time you need to get your writing done, then making that time, than it is to write fast.
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