#dirtpoorrobins

Recently started playlist building for my second book, as is custom of any new book. It's probably one of the most time-consuming parts of first draft prep, because the songs you hear while writing set a mood for the book as a whole. This got me thinking about Book I, and what kind of tone I had managed to set for it during the first draft. These ten songs are the pieces of music I listened to the most. I tend to bounce from my Spotify to Pandora- from my iPod to my computer playlist, depending on my mood, so my numbers are likely off on what got listened to most. But these are, in part, the best fitting songs for my novel.  --  

10. Panic! At The Disco – Miss Jackson - feat. Lolo -This came out around the same time I began my draft, making for rather epic timing as it became the main inspiration for a particular central character.  --

9. Ludwig van Beethoven – Fur Elise -While not only classical piece I have to write to, I actually use this song in one particular scene. Its simple and haunting melody helped shape images were lyrics sometimes failed. --

8. Emilie Autumn – 306 - Emilie Autumn's music was almost always on my writing playlist in some form, but this song's subject matter and dark tone always put me in the proper mood for the blackest of scenes. --

7.  Dirt Poor Robins – Great Vacation -I was introduced to this band through Pandora, and damn, if they aren't the best thing that happened to my creative work. This song was the one I used for drafting, but their whole CDs are worth looking into! --

6. The Chieftains – The Foggy Dew -I grew up with Chieftains- this CD in particular. I think, in hindsight, that this may have set me on the path after this book in the first place. But given that 3/4's of the book takes place in Ireland, Irish music was a no-brainer. This song, coupled with the other track from this CD by Sting, often ended up on repeat for hours while I worked. --

5. John Kruth – Poor Friedrich -Another Pandora discovery. This song's brilliantly macabre lyrics and cool-voiced singer acted as inspiration for another character in particular. I'm actually not sure if he would've been written the same if not for this song. --

4. Barleyjuice – Monto -Kind of a "What it Says On The Tin" song. But there's nothing like having a song about the location you're writing to set a mood. --

3. Jesca Hoop – Tulip -Jesca Hoop has quickly become a favorite artist of mine since finding her during a search for new music. This song in particular is as striking as it is catchy, and has never left my writing playlist. --

2. Katzenjammer – Land of Confusion -I have a lot of this band on my playlists, but this song drew me in at once. It is a cabaret-styled cover of Genesis, and if I were being frank, helped set the whole book's vibe. This makes me a happy author. --