Playlists

I like to write to music. I even like to study to music. But the difference between the two playlists is obvious to the ears. I spent the last semester hammering the thousand biochemistry terms I needed to learn to the tune of some of the loudest songs on my iPod. A mix of catchy Taylor Swift numbers, a few from Kanye, pretty much every song of Paramore's I own and a couple of other repetetive, droning tracks. When I use that music, I forget my surroundings. I don't even really listen to the music. That bit of noise helps me zero in on my quest to glory: academic superstardom. It's really a great way to keep me focused on what I should actually be doing, and not the tumblr window I have minimized. It makes studying less of a chore. So, thank you Taylor, Kanye, Paramore and the rest of the gang.

But for writing I keep it softer. If any of you are looking for some great writing soundtracks, I have two words for you: Joe Hisaishi. Let me repeat that: Joe Hisaishi. Almost all of his work is instrumental and you might know him, as I do, for his work with Studio Ghibli. If you can, give a listen him - he's my go-to inspiration, in times when the only thing getting me to sit down and write is the promise of his music. All in all, he's just amazing. My personal favorite is his work for Ghibli's adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle, which you can sample the soundtrack of here. I also keep a Joe Hisaishi channel on Pandora, when I'm up for something a little different.

I also turn to Michelle Branch's album The Spirit Room. While this album lacks the variety of Joe Hisaishi, something about it makes me sit down and write. A lot. Most songs on this album have a similar sound and theme, which I think is why. If I plan to sit down and write for a considerable amount of time, my thoughts run seamlessly with each track. I can see how this might not jive with every writer, but, for me, it does the trick. Most recently however, Coldplay's 2011 Mylo Xyloto has been the story. I may come back to this one later and post a longer review of it as it works for me, but the more I listen through, the more it becomes an album I can, and do, rely on.

There are others, of course: three different playlists on my iPod specifically for writing. What I need from music changes day to day, scene to scene, so it's always in my best interest to find and listen to new music. These are merely some of the albums and artists I come to when silence isn't enough to spur me on. Sometimes, though, I can't jot down a single word unless my surroundings are still and quiet. It's important to keep in mind that sometimes silence is it's own music.

What works for you?

- Bitterblue