Horror Aficionados discussion

I always listen to music while I'm writing, and often while I'm reading. I'm guessing many others do as well. What types of music do you listen to while writing? Care to share some favorite tunes/bands? Here's a couple to start.
"Satellite" by BT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tQ5r1...
BT is one of the top electronica artists out there, but this track, the last one on the "Movement in Still Life" album, defies genre; it's mostly acoustic guitar driven, with a spacy lead, great chill out tune.
"Witchcraft" by Pendulum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogMNV3...
I use my Pendulum playlist often. Their music is a fusion of heavy rock and electronica.

I listen to anything and everything while I'm writing/reading. I have a pretty eclectic music library, you name it more than likely I have it or something similar to it.

When I'm writing I tend to have something playing in the background, but it's usually heavy metal music... I write horror and zombie fiction, so pretty music just won't cut it for me, lol

Armand Rosamilia
Death Metal

I write horror and dark fiction but find that my beloved metal music just fractures my concentration too much. To that end, I generally start with "Pulled Under at 2000 Metres a Second" by Anathema:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOPBt0...

... it gets me in the mood for writing by building nicely before kicking off at around 1:10.

After that, I move on to classical pianist Ludovico Einaudi, he's the only other artist that I listen to while writing. He creates the most amazing background music that I feel helps my creative juices flow! Here's a great example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0SoF0...

... each to their own I suppose!

You lucky devils. Personally, I'm unable to listen to music or have the TV on while I'm writing. I get distracted way too easily. I'm also a musician so my head will go to another place if there is music playing. For me, I write better in silence. We artists are a temperamental bunch.

Andy wrote: "I write horror and dark fiction but find that my beloved metal music just fractures my concentration too much. To that end, I generally start with "Pulled Under at 2000 Metres a Second" by Anathema..."

I also love metal but I also prefer stuff that's a touch lighter while writing. I liked the Anathema song; never heard them before.
Adding a couple rock songs to this mix:
"Slip In Sin" by Pulse Ultra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SONkI8...
"In Circles" by Sunny Day Real Estate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDSsh7...

Ruschelle wrote: "You lucky devils. Personally, I'm unable to listen to music or have the TV on while I'm writing. I get distracted way too easily. I'm also a musician so my head will go to another place if there i..."


Same thing here. If I hear guitar, my mind automatically switches into music mode, and I'm left constructing riffs instead of sentences.

I listen to Ambient Metal when I read/write. (Mostly read.) It is more background metal music. The harder metal breaks my concentration. I tend to like quieter slower music while reading/ writing. Plus I have to listen to songs I know already, like a fav songs playlist. Listening to new music takes way to much concentration for me.

Although hard rock and metal are my first loves, I find it distracting to write to music with vocals. I usually lean toward horror-movie soundtracks (a couple of personal faves: John Carpenter's CHRISTINE and the first TERMINATOR), or dark jazz such as Bohren & Der Club of Gore (check 'em out if you haven't already -- GREAT stuff, sounds like it was made for a David Lynch film that has yet to exist).

The only exception so far: I listened to a lot of blues while writing my latest novel, UGLY AS SIN. It just fit the work.


J.N.

Personally, I can only write and listen if I am writing a short story based on the song's lyrics. In the past I have used:
Yeah Boy And Doll Face- Pierce The Veil
Johnny Ringo- Crown The Empire
Dead Walker Texas Ranger- Sleeping With Sirens.

Just great songs with amazing stories.

I don't normally listen to music while writing but the other night I was writing an article and listening to The Civil Wars, most appropriate and calm.

I can't listen to music with distinctive melodies or words when I'm writing, so I listen to ambient soundscapes. If you like that sort of thing I highly recommend Drone Zone on SomaFM.

http://somafm.com/dronezone/

I listen to stuff I've heard a million times, so I don't get too distracted. Same with movies. I tend to tune out when the work is going well, anyway. I like Beck and Pink Floyd/any horror flick.