All right, first things first:
Jennifer Hudson is on the FRONT PAGE OF VOGUE. Why am I so excited? Because she is a beautiful black woman with big boobs and wide hips who is being celebrated for her freaking TALENT. I saw this at the grocery stand and bought it for the first time ever in my life. A 600-page magazine! A 600-page FASHION magazine! I hate those! But she looks incredible, like she's having the time of her life - and even like she's finding the whole cover-of-Vogue thing hilarious, too.
And yeah, I get it, she's being exploited for exactly all those reasons. You know what? HELL YEAH! Let the voluptuous women be exploited just like the skinny ones. Let them use us for our softness and sexy roundness. Hell YEAH. She's on the front cover because she'll sell more issues - and if that's the reason they also put skinny women on the cover, then that's even closer to equality. Jennifer makes it allllll sexy, and Vogue is using her just like they use Kate Moss. Hell yeah. Do it, girl. Do it with cleavage.
Anyway, the real point of this post: I've been acquiring a lot of music lately, legally of course, and am sort of bored with all the new stuff - or, rather, my workout is bored. And if the workout is bored, the workout is bad. I need stuff with real driving beats, music that makes you feel like you're dancing your way up Mt. Everest. Can't really work out well without it. Can't dance on the treadmill to Easy Listening. So, suggestions?
Also, I'm looking for writing music. This should be a hella lot more mellow, either lyrically sparse or instrumental, cool and smooth, music that can run in the background and not interrupt my thought process. Overly complicated jazz never does it (no Charlie Parker), but a lot of jazz does.
And, what the hell, throw in suggestions for music you like, too. Anything. Throw it at me. I'm in a music sponge sort of way right now. If you feel like sharing the kind of music that makes you excited, helps you work out, helps you mellow out, helps you write, helps you anything, you'll be helping me much. Please, please, suggest away! Maybe I'll post my own track listings later, too, not to be miserly with my own suggestions.
When you say, "Hell yeah! Do it with the cleavage." I can't help but echo those thoughts. She's got talent, so of course she should be on Vogue!
Music helps me run, but I don't know any good jazz music...Wish I could recommend some! :)
Trust me though- there are always other (smarter) people then me out there to recommend some for you!
Hey Melissa--on music, here's some suggestions:
When I'm writing, I find it's good to listen to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty...cause I'm really into fairy tales and it's really beautiful music. I also really like the 2005 Pride & Prejudice soundtrack. It's very soothing.
Can't really help you with the workout stuff though--I'm going through that too.
I love the band Explosions in the Sky for my reading/writing music. They're an instrumental rock band, and amaaazing. Their songs do have a lot of development, though, so I tend to listen to them with my volume down relatively low.
The best ever workout song in the history of all workout songs is "Bodyrock" by Moby. That song makes me go like no other.
Music? Now this may not work for you, but when I work out, I usually listen to hip-hop. There's something about Jay-Z rapping about money and diamonds when you're on the eliptical machine that makes it more tolerable. And the baseline, you can easily do two miles just trying to keep up with the beat. I've also grown fond of the Pussycat Dolls. Although, I'm far from one, it gives me the motivation to push harder - I'm another curvaceous woman who is totally excited about Jennifer Hudson.
For writing, I prefer Norah Jones of course. But lately, my most productive writing days have been inspired by Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend. Will be happy to upload them to an ftp site for you.
omg!! workout music!!
yay!! ok my first suggestion is definatley the fratellis, you will want to dance like no tomorrow, and then it you want a really good beat i love working out to the yeah yeah yeah, a date with the night, i know its and oldie, but its a classic.
my favourite music is MUSE, absolutely the BEST BAND IN THE WORLD, and also, they have very varying music, from slow mellow, to very electronica...
oh and favourite chillout is classic beatles, nothing beats it.
enjoy listening!
oh and hell yeah, jenifer hudson! as a fashion designer, i actually prefer to design for REAL WOMEN, its about freking time, forget size 0, this is the size fabulous, [corny i know, but its true!]
Although i don't work out much I've got crazy work out music suggestions:
Shiny Toy Guns, 33hz, arctic monkeys, fischerspooner, kaiser chiefs, le tigre, M.I.A., OINGO BOINGO, scissor sisters, radio 4, voxtrot, UNCLE M MONSTERFACE (you might just lose weight laughing to it as well, at least that's what i call exercise), we are scientists, and to finish it off yeah yeah yeahs!
hope that helps :)
The only album you will ever need for working out is Mika's Life in Cartoon Motion. I run with it, I cycle with it, I do weight training with it, heck I even do YOGA with it! Considering the tone of this entry, I especially think you'll enjoy the song Big Girl (You are Beautiful!) :)
My favorite bands to listen to when I work out are The View, Arctic Monkeys, and The Kooks. Arctic Monkeys and the View are rock. The Kooks are considered pop but I would say they are really close to the View and Arctic Monkeys. I really love the songs Skag Trendy and Wasted little Djs by the View for working out. All Arctic Monkeys songs are great to work out to. From the Kooks I recommend Naive and she moves in her own way. I really relate to what you are going through hope this helps.
I'm not usually a big on commenting, but I can't pass up an opportunity to recommend good music, especially that of lesser known bands.
The two I most heartily recommend are Antigone Rising (www.antigonerising.com)and Mavin (www.mavinmusic.com).
Both have great songs, fast (workout fast) and slow. You can get Antigone's stuff on iTunes and you can download Mavin's stuff from their website.
Also another great workout song (which makes you feel like dancing) is:
I don't Feel Like Dancing by the Scissor Sisters.
Another one is: 'The Way I Want To Be' by the Village Green
Other good ones (for anything)
KT Tunstill
Rooney
Wisely (Highly recommend the entire album, it's on iTunes)
"El Savador" by Athlete is a way fun song.
Okay, I've already given more than I was planning on it. I love finding lesser known artists and spreading the word. Mavin and Antigone Rising are the top artists on my iPod currently though.
Good luck.
As far as suggestions go, I can really only help with the upbeat workout music. I like to work out to:
-"Woman" by Wolfmother
-The album 'With Love and Squalor' by We Are Scientists, especially "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" and "Inaction"
-"Gotta Get Thru This (DND Remix)" by Daniel Bedingfield
-"Flathead" by the Fratellis
-"New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini
-"Put You Out" and "Dancefloor" by the Hatch
-"Deadwood" by Dirty Pretty Things
-"No Sleep Tonight" by the Faders
-"Wannabe" by the Spice Girls
-"Harder to Breathe" and "This Love" by Maroon 5
and pretty much anything by Black Eyed Peas and Missy Elliot, and Muse
And this chunky girl in the world says: AMEN! I remember hearing, a long time ago, that Anna Wintour didn't want to put Oprah on the cover of Vogue because of her weight and only did so after she lost a lot of it. So, it's refreshing to see someone who didn't have to lose weight to be featured.
As for workout music, I make a mix of old and new. My mix right now has a little Motown, a little Madonna's Immaculate Collection, a little 90's alternative, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, The Donnas, selections from The Pajama Game, and selections from The Prince and Me soundtrack.
My favorite music is jazz and instrumental music. For some reason soundtracks have really good music of that kind. Like earlier said, the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack is very good as is the soundtrack to Chocolat, The Notebook, and Something's Gotta Give. Chris Botti is good instrumentally, but if you have to have some lyrics I highly highly recommend Renee Olstead.
The Jennifer Hudson phenomena seems like a bright spot in the midst of a lot of otherwise insane and pointless media fug. I hope her story makes a long-term impact on our country's image of beauty, not to mention talent.
As for music, I don't currently work out except for yoga, but my daughter likes to work out to Strokes, Killers, Franzferdinand, Gorillaz, Goldfrapp, Police, Hellogoodbye, and Panic at the Disco.
As for me, in my writing mode - Morcheeba, Neil Halstead, Shadowfax, or Phil Keaggy "On the Fly" instrumental. These are fairly smooth but have rhythms and invoke emotions and rhythmic feelings, but not in an intrusive or overwhelming way.
Housecleaning mode: Talking Heads.
Eastern chill or yoga mode: Deva Premal, Shelia Chandra or Jaya Lakshmi.
Songwriter/listen to lyrics mode: Bruce Cockburn, Jana Stanfield, Jane Siberry or Johnny Cash.
Ultra relax or fall asleep: Brian Eno, especially "Deep Blue Day" which is on the Trainspotting soundtrack.
Roots mode: Early Carter Family.
One of my current favorites is Souad Massi who sings sometimes in French, sometimes in whatever Algerians speak, and occasionally in English, and it doesn't matter whether I can understand her words or not because her voice is so expressive.
So that's a sampling of what I like. Maybe something will help. If not, it was fun listing them anyways. It will be interesting to see what music others are into and some of them will connect with what you need to stay energized and healthy, carrying on with all your many endeavors!
YES to everything you said about the beautiful Miss Jennifer Hudson on the cover of Vogue.
Workout Music: Galvanize by The Chemical Brothers; Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode; Sabotage by Beastie Boys; Here It Goes Again by OK Go; pretty much anything by Mary J. Blige. And Luscious Jackson.
Anything Jesse Cook is really relaxing and soothing to write to. I also listen to Zero 7 and some Snow Patrol for the same reasons. As for workout music, I usually go with the "Top 40" from www.rick.com - I find most of that is fairly upbeat and works me nicely through a good workout! Good luck!
Kate Havnevik "Grace", from the Grey's Anatomy Soundtrack is the most mellow song you could ever ask for its so beautiful!
I have a bit of an odd musical taste but it's terrifyingly vast so be warned... You can check out my last.fm page if any of this sounds appealing (most people are, I'm sure, slightly concerned for me) - http://www.last.fm/user/lynnith
Workout music - I love to work out to music that works hard too, like M.I.A. or Alec Empire or Motormark or Tetine. Sometimes I'm not feeling quite that hardcore so I go more towards Ladytron or Chicks on Speed. Reggie Watts/Maktub can be good but you have to pick and choose songs there. Definitely have a look at Ladytron's Softcore Jukebox, a great compilation CD.
Writing music - I would probably suggest stuff in languages you don't speak, as you get the benefit of a vocalist without being focused on the words so much. Nobody seems to know who he is but Carlos Careqa (brazilian) gets my bet for one of the greatest musicians/orchestrators working today. Madredeus are a great Portuguese group with fado roots. Fat Freddy's Drop are a reggaeish band from NZ and very good background music. I listen to a lot of Debussy (La Mer & Images and Etudes), Prokofiev, and Revueltas when I work. Also soundtracks from Wong Kar-Wai movies. I find David Byrne's music very visually inspiring but that probably doesn't help much. If you want a fit of manic productivity try working on an April Fool's page for three hours while listening to the Chicks on Speed Myspace song on endless repeat... Other ideas - early Goldfrapp, Kate Bush's latest album, Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man, Barth.
The Japanese band Boom Boom Satellites could fit into either category, depending on the album.
Drop me a line if any of this sounds interesting and I can dig up some samples...
Hmm. good writing music? Here's everything "mellow" in my playlist, should be more than enough!
I always like writing to movie scores.
-Rachael Portman -Chocolat, The Lake House
-Philip Glass -The Hours, even though he's very very intense
-Gabriel Yared -Cold Mountain
-The "I Am Sam" Soundtrack
-Michael Giacchino -Lost
-Danny Elfman - anything by him really
-Randy Newman - same goes for randy
-The Delovely Soundtrack
And for regular "mellow" pop music
-Jamie Cullum - Catching Tales, Pointless Nostalgic
-Ben Lee- Awake is the New Sleep, Breathing Tornados, Hey You. Yes You,
-Badly Drawn Boy- About a boy, Have you Fed the Fish?, One Plus One is One, The Hour of Bewilderbeast.
-The Ditty Bops (not to be confused with the Disney Kids group The Doodle Bops)- Ditty Bops, Moon over the Freeway.
-Nick Drake- Five Leaves Left, Pink Moon
-The Andrews Sister- Anything by them
-Bob Schneider- I'm Good Now, Lonelyland
-Jen Chapin- Linger
-Maria Rita (Bossa Nova, she sounds just like her mother the famous Elisa Regina)- anything by her, its all in Portuguese.
-Yo-Yo Ma- try and stay away from his regular cello-classical music stuff, as a cellist myself, i can tell you it gets boring really quickly, so go for -Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla, Obrigado Brazil Live in Concert, The Silk Rod Journeys: When Strangers Meet
-Iron & Wine- Our Endless Numbered Days, Passing Afternoon EP, Rarities, The Creek Drank the Cradle, The Sea and the Rhythm, Woman King EP.
-Carole King- Tapestry
-Diana Krall- From this Moment On, Live in Paris, The Girl in the Other room, The look of love, When I look in your eyes.
Here's some good jazz (anything by these guys)-
Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Chet Baker, Benny Goodman,
Good Jazz Singers (women who rock the voice)-
Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, Betty Carter, Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf,
Good luck with your writing, and again i hope this all helps and i hope you find something you like!
for writing i like Yiruma, fun classical music. But for working out, DDR music may inspire you, since it's all fast fun and definitely dance-worthy. especially Speed over Beethoven. Recently i've gotten into some Yellowcard, which is good, but some other fast music is anythihng form Fall Out Boy's CD "from under the Cork tree", "Infiity on high" (their latest) is good too, but slower. Good luck!
When I'm writing, I tend to like things that are either completely instrumental, or aren't in English. I especially like Celtic music like Clannad, or instrumental groups like Bond. Lately, though, I've taken to making playlists for my stories and many of them have popular music in them, or groups like Seether and Regina Spektor (I really love Regina Spektor). Soundtracks like Schindler's List are also wonderful.
My suggestion for work out music would definitely be 'Benassi Bros.'or 'Eurythmics' all the way.
As for writing, I agree with the Pride&Prejudice soundtrack or even Apologize by OneRepublic. When I write I always like soft music but still upbeat and inspiring but I don't know if that's what you're looking for :)
For your workout stuff I'd go with some fun musicals to listen to. I really love spamalot and it makes me want to dance, or Disney songs. Yes it's really cheesy but some are fun and aren't all that bad. The Beatles LOVE is amazing too, fun songs that have a lot of drug reference to. I can't help with the writing music since the only instrumental music I have are the Harry Potter soundtracks and some Pirates of the Caribbean music. Hope that helped!
For writing music (in my case, any sort of homework) I'd suggest pretty much any film score. If I watch the film, and enjoy the music, I'll go out and buy it to listen to when doing homework. I have most of the obvious ones (like HP, LotR, Narnia, Pirates), but at the moment I'm really liking "Memoirs of a Geisha", "Nanny McPhee" "Corpse Bride" and "Peter Pan" (the 2003 live action version).
Oh, and "Finding Neverland", too. Can't forget that one.
Hi Melissa,
I hope the writing process is going well. I don't have any workout music to recommend, however I do have suggestions for mellow, inspiring music:
- Brooke Fraser: She's from New Zealand, very popular there and in Australia. Her new album is called Albertine and I would definately, definately recommend it. There's so much thought behind her words and sound.
- Rachael Yamagata
And both integrate the piano heavily into their music, and in my opinion, the piano is such a beautiful instrument. :)
two of my favorite writing/painting cds:
1. sigur ros (a swedish band that has extraordinarily beautiful melodic electro-orchestral, yet not new-agey sounding music)
2. the soundtrack to the film "amelie" (maybe because I could be sitting in a parisian cafe writing then?)
lately, I've found it hard to write to music that I'm tempted to sing along to, so those work because its either instrumental or in a language I don't understand :)
-bonnie
Do NOT listen to Harry Potter soundtracks while you're writing. I used to do that, and I'd find myseld singing along, or thinking about the scene it comes from. Which usually strikes up some random theory. Yeah. Bad idea.
If you don't already do this, I love listening to Sondheim musicals while exercising -- his lyrics are so intricate and delightful and surprising that the songs keep me mentally engaged while my body is physically engaged. I also love Earth, Wind & Fire for good funk, U2 and David Bowie for rock, and Kanye West for rap -- I have "The College Dropout" and I love it for the same reasons I love Sondheim.
And I can't write to music myself, but I adore Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" and echo the person who recommended John Legend.
Hey Melissa,
Whenever I work out, I usually listen to Ben Folds (or Ben Folds Five). Some of the tracks are slow, but a lot of them are upbeat and really fun. I would recommend the albums Rockin' the Suburbs and Whatever & Ever Amen.
Although, I'm kind of weird with music, because I can listen to the same CD 85 times without getting sick of it.
I work out to djDoboy. www.djboy.com. The best trance music out there.
Hi, I've never commented before, but I have a music website for you:
pandora.com
You just type in the name of an artist/band that you like and it will give you other music by bands that are similar. You still have to go out and buy the music but it gives new and interesting suggestions for new music.
I'll also recommend Mika, who just released an album which is absolutely fantastic. Some of my favorite songs on the album include: Grace Kelly, Love Today, and Big Girl(You Are Beautiful)- a song which I think, like all us curvy girls, can appreciate.
Also consider The Boy Least Likely To and Coldplay, two of my other favorites.
Good luck on your searching!
I like to work out to Queen's Greatest Hits. "Another one Bites the Dust," "We Will Rock You," etc. Also modern swing groups like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
I don't do a whole lot of writing, but I relax to Dido, Enya, and classic rock like Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, the Eagles, etc.
Everyone's had greast suggestions.
Hello,
When I workout, the music I usually like to listen is dance music from the 80s and 90s (2unlimited, BlackBox, Culture Beat, Technotronic,...)
I also found out that the last Madonna had the rythm I usually need to get me running.
And as for the music I currently like to listen, I really enjoy the latest Murray Head album.
Cheers!
Hey Melissa
What you need is some good old fashioned rock n' roll to work out to. It may not be knew, but it's gotta be Guns n' Roses (original line-up)!! When I "USED" to work out, I just couldn't help but pick up the pace whenever Slash let rip with one of his killer guitar solos!!!
I can't really suggest anything for when you're writing, because I just can't work to music. Anyway, whatever you go with, enjoy!!!
I listen to a lot of jazz, especially while I'm doing work. Try James Morrison, this fantastic Aussie trumpeter, although you might consider his music overlly complicated, I suppose. Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra is good for background music because they just sort of sing and you don't really pay attention, but they have nice voices.
OH, I second Luscious Jackson; I'd forgotten about them.
Kate Bush has a new album?
What an interesting question this has turned out to be. I'm gonna have to check some of these out.
Workout Music:
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Three Small Words - Josie & the Pussycats Soundtrack
Bad - Michael Jackson
You Make Me Sick - Pink
Dude looks Like a Lady - Aerosmith
Ballroom Blitz - Sweet
Hot in Herre - Nelly
Hung Up - Madonna
Here It Goes Again - Ok Go
Song 2 - Blur
Black Betty - Ram Jam
Writing/Reading Music:
Pride & Prejusice Soundtrack (2005)
Lord of the Rings Soundtracks
Book of Secrets - Loreena McKennitt
My musical taste is pretty eclectic. So, when I run/ workout it's to quite a variety from showtunes to Green Day. It's not all "upbeat" but some of it just makes me laugh and that always helps make the workouts easier...
My workout playlist includes:
"30/90" from Tick, tick, Boom
"A Place in Displacement" by South
"Allison Road" by Gin Blossoms
"American Idiot" by Green Day
"Better Off Without You" by The Clarks
"Defying Gravity" from Wicked
"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
"I'll Be There For You" by The Rembrandts
"If You Were Gay" from Avenue Q
"It's My Life" by Bon Jovi
"Last Night" by the Strokes
"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
"Looking for Trouble" by The Remus Lupins
"Louder Than Words" from Tick, tick Boom
"One Week" by Barenaked Ladies
"Out Tonight" from Rent
"Rent" from Rent
"Shimmy Low" by the Clarks
"Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow
"Stupid Girls" by Pink
"Suffocate" by Osaris
"The Internet is for Porn" from Avenue Q
"The Kids Aren't Alright" by Offspring
"Trains to Brazil" by Guillemots
"What Do You Do w/ a BA in English/ Sucks to Be Me" from Avenue Q
"What You Own" from Rent
"When You Were Young" by the Killers
As far as good writing music-- I'd say go for something acoustic or "classical/soundtrack". Scott Blasey (the lead singer from the band The Clarks) has a great acoustic album called Shine. Make sure you check out his songs "Brand New" and "Born Too Late". I always like working to the Lord of the Rings soundtracks-- good music and not a lot of lyrics to distract!!
Oh well, hope that helped!
Now that I'm setting down to dish it out I'm finding it really hard to recommend music to someone I don't know so personally... Hmm ... Since I know you like jazz, I figured I'd just recommend some songs that are mellower in tune. Personally I can write better with music as well, but I usually end up tuning it out, or end up needing a break to pace around and draw some inspiration from my surroundings.
For me, it’s all about the Folk Rock and Indie scene. I also listen to a little harder Rock like Fuel and Bush, but I don’t think that’s for you… So, exercise wise, I usually stick to J-Pop (Japanese pop and rock music). Japanese bands have great upbeat tunes, and I like the more rock type ones myself. You actually find tons of it online for free, which is a plus. Japan doesn’t pay as much attention to their music online as US artists, so no worries… but I’ll give a nod to Fall Out Boy and
You can check out some of the musicians and songs that I'm listening to right now:
Sarah McLachlan is my all time favorite artist, so… anything by her.
http://www.myspace.com/lilymusic
Lily is actually the current CD I’m listening to—love it, but it’s rather…er… honest about stuff. XD
http://www.myspace.com/brandicarlileband
www.Myspace.com/unklebobband
www.myspace.com/rilokiley
Jen Porter: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=322043
http://myspace.com/mindysmith
Soundscapes/New Age Music for easy listening:
I can’t believe no one has mentioned this, but ENYA! Anything by her is soothing and you’ll love it.
I’ll second Clannad and the P&P soundtrack. It is probably one of my favorite CDs ever.
Yanni
Nicholas Gunn
R. Carlos Nakai
William Eaton
Michael Atkinson
Missa Johnourchi (love her! Her music has Japanese aesthetics, btw)
Coyote Oldman
Wai, Lana
Siddha
Yu-Xiao Guang
Peter Krater
…and then there’s a duet with Levi Chen/Lisa Fraco “Celtic Zen” that I heard once that was rather nice.
Also, I usually check up on House and Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack listings on iTunes for music. Enjoy, and good luck! And if you have the right cable or satellite package you can usually find a good channel for soundscapes or any music you’re looking for each different genre, so check your guide if you can.
My exercise playlist includes
Love Today - Mika
Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne
SexyBack - Justin Timberlake
Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson
SOS - Rihanna
If You Wanna Be My Lover - Spice Girls
Funkytown - Malik
Lose Control - Ciara
Dance Dance - Fall Out Boy
Here (In Your Arms) - Hellogoodbye
Fergalicious - Fergie
It makes me dance :]
Coldplay is excellent to listen to when you're working, but need something to listen to.
Hey Melissa,
First of all, I love Jennifer Hudson too; she's so talented.
A song I'm really into right now is Grace Kelly by Mika. I heard about it from a friend and I really love it. It's kinda strange but very catchy and addictive. Try it out! http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=211577407&s=143441&i=211577409
Hi Melissa,
For music suggestions:
Workout music I wouldn't really know because I can only be forced to run in P.E. and even then I listen to classical music because I'm strange.
For writing music, try Claire de Lune. I also like Rhapsody in Blue and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. Enya's calming, too (I don't know why I'm mentioning her!).
I'm obsessed with Keane at the moment. I love all of their songs--there's not a bad one in the bunch! I'm also in love with Sting again (I blame it on my language arts teacher!). The Decemberists are a great Indie Rock band--they have intelligent lyrics! I love Corinne Bailey Rae, too.
I'm coming out of the woodwork for this, as I love rec-ing music... I don't know much about workout music, but more mellow-ish music I've got in plenty. I'd rec Massive Attack and Zero 7. There's this jazz pianist I love - Michael Kaeshammer - he has some really awesome mellow songs, but also a lot of more upbeat ones. Lastly, a few more gorgeous instramentals would be Girls by Death in Vegas, Goodbye by Kevin Shields, and Nara by E.S. Posthumus.
When I have an essay and I'm down the the wire and all I should be doing is just writing and not reading ron/hermione fanfiction (though Oh-so-tempting)...
I put on the Track "Bitches Brew" by Miles Davis, an instrumental, and go at it. It's the name that soothes me most. I mean one bitch trying to brew up a fab piece of writing...its awesome. And I mean bitch as in "Girl power!" and not as in...the other kind.
Have you tried the Podrunner podcast as workout music? I find that it's good for aerobic workouts like running, not so much so for lifting or slower activities.
Well, since I am writing fantasy, I listen to the GOF soundtrack (except for the vocally-tracks at the end), but when I am writing non-fiction I listen to the Acoustic Long Island Podcast, or DJ Chutney's Banghra podcast. Fun stuff. Techno is always good for upbeat energy.
Hello Melissa,
For great work out music you should listen to Panic! At the Disco, they're a great band and their music is really fun to dance/wokout to. Some recommendations:
1.I Constanly Thank God For Esteban By Panic!
2.Time to Dance By Panic!
3.Here It Goes Again By Ok Go
4.Camisado By Panic!
5.Call n' Return by Hellogoodbye
6.Bring Me to life by evanescence
7.Any song by Fall Out Boy
Hope this helps!!! :-)
My music recommendations are the 3 last Wrock Bands that I have discovered: Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls, Ministry of Magic and Talons and Tea Leaves.
You may already be familiar with them. From Oliver, I especially like "Mischief Managed," "End of an Era," and "The Boy Who Lived." The last 2 in particular can make me want to CRY. (Boo Hoo.)
From MoM I like the songs they have on their MySpace. A tribute to Cedric incorporates Dumbledore's words from the year-end service. This is, I think, the wizardwrockingest lyric ever. It is from "Accio Love" and features the Moaning Myrtles: If Hermione knew the Patronus Charm, The conjured incarnation would be Ron.
From T&T - "Hallelujah" and "Fawkes' Lament" are good. I mean, Hallelujah - Harry Potter!!
You should also download Jason Mraz, he is downright unbelieveable. I suggest: You and I Both, The Remedy, The Beauty in Ugly (BEST SONG EVER), and No Stopping Us. Also show tunes are a given ;-)
What you said about Jennifer Hudson.
AMAZING, I had the same reaction. She's so talented it's crazy...I don't actually watch American Idol but, SIMON! LOOK WHO'S LAUGHING NOW! hah, good luck with the music
-Chloe
Writing music suggestion for my favourite PotterCaster!
Eric Whitacre's October, or Frank Ticheli's Shenandoah. The Wind Ensemble I play for at my high school has played both of these pieces for festivals this year and I am in love with them.
And another piece I would recommend, though not really for writing, just for listening, is Alfred Reed's El Camino Real. Yet another piece we've played for festival this year. What can I say? I'm a full out nerd...the Potter addiction, the math contests and the band geekness.
Hey Melissa!
I completely agree with you on the Jeniffer Hudson thing! I saw that and just smiled! Didn't buy it though.
About music:
*Imogen Heap-She is sorta like Bjork with a bit more electronic. She did a song in the Narnia movie and she had a two songs played in the movie "The Holiday". She's really awesome! Some of her songs are upbeat and some are slow so you can pick and choose which songs you want.
*Josh Groban- Now this really isn't upbeat at all except for a few songs like "Machine", but this man is amazing!! I got to meet him and he's also really nice so that makes me respect his music even more!
*BOND- This group is a group of four females playing electronic stringed instruments. They play classical pieces upbeat. I suppose this would be good for a workout. Especially their song "explosive"
sorry this is sorta late, but I've been slacking off of on reading people's blogs and I wanted to put my two cents in! haha! have a nice day!
If I am ever experiencing a lul in my routine I always wack U2-Elevation on the noise box.
That song never fails to get me going again.
I like listening to Camera Obscura when I write or walk, they're a brilliant Scottish indie band. Good songs to start with are "Happy New Year", "Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken" and "I Don't do Crowds".
Lets see..... for a more upbeat artist,I definitly recomment Panic! At The Disco. And not just 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies'-that song is overplayed... the other songs are waaaayy better anyway.... YAY! Panic! and Harry Potter are my life.
Hey Melissa,
I know this outdated, but I was entranced by your contract photos and just kept reading. I noticed a reference to music recommendations and couldn't stop myself. So here is one more to sift through.
I love Guster! They are my favorite, fun and funny while still being able to chill out.
If someone already mentioned them, sorry...but I can't rave about them enough :)
Thanks~Kimberly