One of the best things about the internet is that it makes the world smaller. Thanks to Amazon and AmazonFresh I don’t have to leave my house for books or food. Both get delivered right to my doorstep now. I can buy my music online as well, whether through iTunes or CDs from B&N.com or Amazon. I can talk to my friends and readers through email, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and my blog.
And I get to meet new people, interesting people, people who broaden my horizons. One of those people I’m really glad to have ‘met’ via the net, is Jonathan Kochmer, owner of Sarathan Records, an indie label here in Seattle. Jonathan read my blog, Chasing Pavements, and noted that I wanted to order UK singer Adele’s ’19’ Album to write to, and so he emailed me to congratulate me on my success and send me a few suggestions of artists on his label that I might enjoy.
It took me a day to check them out as I’ve been doing 2-3 hour blocks of radio interviews every day this week while writing fast and furious on my new book, but tonight I did get to check the artists out and wow. Loved them. Jonathan nailed my tastes immediately and I’ve already ordered 3 albums from Amazon, paying a rush delivery so I can have them here by Friday.
Since lots of writers lurk here I thought I’d share some of Jonathan’s suggestions in case there is another writer or artist out there looking for inspiration, or writing to coax a reluctant muse into action. His suggestions for me were:
Peter Bradley Adams (calming)
Two Loons for Tea (transporting)
Abra Moore (romantic)
Lisbeth Scott (spiritual)
After listening to them all, Two Loons for Tea was my favorite, hands down, as it reminded me a bit of Kate Bush, which ranks right at the top of my favorite artists to play while I write. (Something I didn’t know until I’d listened to a number of their most current album’s tracks was that Jonathan is actually a member of the group, but each was good and quite different from the other.)
If you get time, check out the artists above and let me know what you think, or if you have a fav. When I’m doing long hours at the keyboard, music is about the only thing that gets me through.
Hi Jane!
After checking out the links and listening to music from each artist, I have to say that I really liked Peter Bradley Adams. He sounds like someone I’d really enjoy listening too, and I might just have to order his album. Maybe as an early Christmas present to myself. 😉
Hope you have a nice day, Jane, and happy writing!!!
Ooh, these are lovely. Thanks for the links Jane. Now I have some things to add to my Christmas list that my boys won’t mind shopping for.
Just wanted to wish you a very happy day!
Thanks for the links, Jane!
Thank you for the links to the music.
My daughter who is a music fanatic
gets a lot of her favorites from GRey’s Anatomy and the the itunes and ipod commercials. She hears a tidbit and locates it on itunes and buys it.
Thank you for the candle and Starbucks card you sent for the literacy blog. Just to let you know I haven’t missed a day of clicking since you pointed us in that direction.
I’ve been listening to Abra Moore for years now (since she toured with Lilith Fair). When I get into one of my I-wanna-listen-to-just-women moods she’s always on the list. I’ve been a Kate Bush fan since I was about eight years old — my step-mom used to put on The Kick Inside for me and I would pretend to be Kate. Ah, memories.
I checked them all out, and while lovely, it’s music with lyrics and I am soooooooo easily distracted that I’ll stop writing and start listening to the words. I’m so bad if an instrumental version of a song I know comes on, I’ll sing along karaoke style.
I use Pandora.com and have created several stations with just instrumental music. Music by Secret Garden, Paul Cardall and Jim Brickman are good for me to write to. If it’s a s-e-x scene, then I switch to my smooth jazz station. It’s free which is great.
Also, I discovered playlist.com where you can build your own playlist of music. It draws from songs on other websites. I’ve created a playlist there that plays “So Close” from the movie “Enchanted” over and over because I discovered that the song’s lyrics very closely parallel the theme of the book I’m working on now. So when I get stuck or frustrated, I’ll listen to “So Close” and it helps me get back on track — sometimes. Sadly, tonight isn’t one of those times. I’m at 46,500 words in my NaNoWriMo book and have to hit 50,000 by 11:59:59 on Sunday. I’m beginning to slide into panic mode.
Thanks for the music ideas!
Hope you had a lovely, quiet, un-queasy Thanksgiving! Debbie
I love Lisbeth Scott – her song Where was on the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack and it’s one of my stand-bys. It’s lush and pensive and immediately transports you….elsewhere.
I’ll have to check out her other stuff stat.
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