Screenwriting : What music do you all listen to? by Brian Stoneking

If the FBI ever profiled my Pandora station list I'm sure I'd make some lists. I have stations that range from Disney to Dr. Dre and Trip Hop/ElectroSwing to Willie Nelson. I like almost every genre from EDM to Classic Rock. I do listen to way more indie/alt music than should be healthy: Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, Shins, Death Cab. I've seen a variety of bands/artists in concerts too--from Snoop to Weezer with a hard left at 21 Pilots, the Killers and Radiohead. All of it helps to write. :)

It really depends on what I'm writing. For action usually heavy metal or classic rock. For softer scenes something serene. etc etc

I typically go for white noise soundtracks or electro-swing. Speakeasies has some good stuff, so so The Hot Sardines - the just kick..

Typically, anything intense and pulse-pounding. As long as it stimulates the creative juices.

None. I prefer silence when writing. ;)

Any music that will keep me awake.

Bowie, Queen, Nazareth, Floyd, U2. Songs with feeling that make me think.

Lana Del Rey always adds some cinematic kitsch when I write campy film noir. Neil Young and Crazy Horse guitar thrashing is a shot of adrenaline too. One time I wrote a teen ghost/coming of age feature just from Springsteen's Darkness on the Edge of Town album. Yes, music is a requirement.

Mozart.

Lately, I've been listening to the sound of an airplane cabin as I work. ;)

Classical

Right now I'm working on a feature and the music I listen to is Jesse Valenzuela, also the Rubia brothers.

It varies a lot. Everything from movie soundtracks to video game soundtracks to some of my favorite 80s & 90s bands.

I tend to thrive on nostalgia.

I listen to whatever makes me feel the kind of emotion I want for that story. It was James Blunt when I wrote a soldier story. It's currently Amy Wadge's brilliant Faith's Song from Keeping Faith.

Depends on the story and my feelings at thhe time.

Something that doesn't have lyrics as I would be distracted listening to them. I'm a big jazz fan so often listen to a bit of Coltrane or something more modern like Kamasi Washington or Robert Glasper.

Lo-fi Hip Hop is my current go to for writing and work. Super chill, relaxing, and good for focusing. I also like to listen to soundtracks for the genres I'm writing in. Noisli is also a great tool if you are looking for ambient sounds or noise to drown out your surroundings and help you focus

I like to listen to Rico Nasty to get pumped up before I write, and then I turn it off when I'm ready to work. She's due to break out soon.

Here's a piece that I recently came across that was exactly what I needed at the time for the scene in my head... Atrel has a voice that is second to none. Amazing power... and the words were spot on. Christian's music is epic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnU9XR7D5X0

Always love epic songs, AP. Love this one, too. King Crimson playing Starless live, and with three drummers. Fripp is God! And the second...Pat Metheny and Anna Maria Jopek live, performing Are You Going with Me? Man.....yes I am, Anna Maria....yes I am!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhKJgqxNDD8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=139&v=0iSiPjbS8_Q

Classic Rock - Eagles, Journey, mostly 70's rock.

Slayer, Poison, Vixen, Sister Sin, In This Moment, Butcher Babies, Yellowcard, We Are The In Crowd, Britney Spears. (Yes... I love Slayer and Britney Spears.) It depends on what I'm writing.

Pink Floyd and film scores for me.

WBGO 88.3 The jazz source. Across the river in Newark, NJ

Complete Silence.

I shut the world out.

I can write in a crowded train surrounded by noise and movement. As long as I don't have to interact with anything.

Avenged Sevenfold

Love David Gray.

Ivan Torrent

This Will Destroy You