figuring out what music you can work to is always a challenge, for me. to think there was once a time i could write to anything. motorhead blasting. i didn't care. now, there's very strict rules and they seem to change sporadically, so i don't know what to make of them anymore.

some songs feel right. in the beginning of writing this book, i had a long obsession with of monsters and men, particularly their latest album. i just felt songs like fruit bat went really well with the place where i felt the book.

it's certainly interesting, looking back at it now, because it reminds me i felt a lot of uncertainty at the time, and it's important for me to remember that, because though i don't feel that now, it did inform to a great extent, the early parts of the book. i see now there's things i need to reframe, but having some understanding for this earlier version of me writing it does help.

i often have trouble listening to songs i really love, or that have a strong emotional impact for me, as i get too distracted. i tend to be absorbed by the fantasy of the song, and that's not always good, because it messes with my feelings, and i need to observe my own reactions to the writing itself. like, it's no good listening to a very moving song, because then i might trick myself into thinking a certain chapter's particularly moving, when it's not really. so i do myself a disservice.

music that's too loud or too in your face or too demanding is an instant no.

in the past, i used to love writing to classical music, and while there's some stuff i've really been enjoying lately, it gets too diffuse. rachmaninov and all the others i love best in that world disperse my thoughts now, so they're out too.

still, i've been finding ways to work with the music at times, because much as i enjoy and need the silence, it gets to be much sometimes.

here's some stuff that's been in my ears as I edit lately:

https://youtu.be/ZlqLaaPbB1c?list=RDAZM79QESFQA

i think i've heard about dogstar a couple times since they got back together in 2020, but somehow this band's gone completely under my radar until recently. so much so that it took me accidentally clicking on the wrong tab and going "wait...is that keanu reeves?!".

really enjoying this and a couple other things from them lately.

https://youtu.be/0is_VwWU3EE?list=RDAZM79QESFQA

a perfect circle is another of those bands that i've had a lukewarm relationship with, and i don't rightly know why. i love it when i listen to it, but then, i don't mind if it just disappears, somehow. still, this little gem found its way to my working playlist and i'm really enjoying that.

https://youtu.be/GQxUapg0X90

this beautiful amazing band just premiered a new album, and while i didn't much resonate with the first singles they put out, i gotta say it managed to get under my skin again.
there's something so free about brent's voice, and while i don't listen to much shinedown while working anymore, i did a lot when i was younger, and it still bears a very special meaning for me.
https://youtu.be/74mV9qwlCgg?list=RDAZM79QESFQA

bonus track - i've been obsessed by this for the last couple days, and for once, it's not just yungblud's magic. speaking of a voice like freedom, steven tyler for me has always had a way of suggesting the open road, escape, disappearing. i can't say, baby, where i'll be in a year.

this has that energy to me.

do you find it easy to listen to music while you write? hi, @ablaze. happy #threetunetuesday! :)

oh also, we just published a new dead pets strip. different listening entirely to working on a book, but feel free to check it out and maybe even, fingers crossed, support us if you enjoy that kinda thing. thanks!