Museday [6]

I stumbled across this duo here and instantly fell for them and their music.  It took literally one song to inspire me.  So who and what is it?

Today's Muse is...Like I'm Alive by Grand Vanity.

I really don't know how to describe Grand Vanity's music except that it rocks, but subtly.  This song has a pretty long intro, building up in such a way that you are listening to every note and beat, waiting to see what's coming.  Then the lyrics begin, and the take the same course as the music, slow and building then the chorus hits.  And the crux of the song is whoever the singer is singing about makes him feel alive.

When I first heard this song, not only did I love it, but it gave me an almost instant visual, like a scene from a movie.  The song's intro is playing, showing the MC of my novel at her locker.  Something catches her attention and she looks up and toward the end of the hallway.  Then we see her eyes widen, a look of awe spreading down her face.  The camera then switches, showing the feet, boots most likely, of a guy, walking around the corner and into the hallway. His steps are in sync with the riffing guitar as the camera pans upward to show us that he is devilishly handsome, dressed impeccably, and headed right for the MC.  Then (because I know what happens between them throughout the rest of the story...and no, I'm not telling *_^) as the chorus, the "You make me feel like I'm alive!" sounds with the guitar behind, I see a montage of all the moments from later on when he makes her feel alive.

So the song serves not only as an awesome intro for one of my characters, but it also explains why my MC is drawn to him, because he makes her feel alive.  And also it's just an amazing song.  ^_^

Unfortunately, I could not find a video playing this song, so below is the link to Grand Vanity's Myspace page.  I hope you visit and listen to their music, especially "Like I'm Alive," which is listed second on their track list.

Grand Vanity @ Myspace Music

Museday [5]

Like a lot of Top 40 music these days, this artist is a hit or miss with me.  But the first time I heard this song, I knew it fit something in my story.  So who and what is it?

Today's Muse is...E.T. by Katy Perry.

Like I said above, I'm not generally a huge fan of artists like Katy Perry (though I love songs I can dance to - I just wish the lyrics were different or removed completely) but this is one of those where (if you ignore the Kanye West version) the lyrics aren't too bad and are about what most songs are about: love.  Or lust. Whatever.  In this case, it doesn't matter.

The awe and wonder Perry describes in the song is kind of how my MC feels once she really starts to understand this one guy in the story.  She doesn't know if he is one of the "good" guys or not, which is something that both frightens and intrigues her. And yes, the guy is hot and mysterious, so my MC is not sure if she is falling for him or just fawning over him.  Either way, this song, like my MC's mystery boy, is addictive and entrancing.

The video below just shows a picture of Katy Perry with the lyrics on the screen as the song is playing (and thankfully this one is sans Kanye).  Enjoy!   ^_^

Museday [4]

This is one of my favorite bands and a song I just recently re-heard.  So who and what is it?

Today's Muse is...Green Eyes by Coldplay.

I've been a fan of Coldplay since Yellow hit the radio way back in my high school days.  I spent most of my sophomore year of college falling asleep to X&Y.  I had heard this song several times since I own the album it is on, but recently I really paid attention and realized, "Hey, my MC has green eyes!"  I just love the meaning of this song and Chris Martin's voice is simply amazing.  As far as how this song relates to my writing, it is a very good representation of how a future LI will feel about my MC, and yes, this is the same LI I was talking about from the second Museday.  He is, next to my MC, my favorite character so whenever I hear a good love song I automatically try to see if it fits his personality, and Green Eyes definitely does.

The video below just shows the album cover with the song playing.  It is a great song and not too long, so please take a listen!  The sincerity of his voice and the way he says she is undeniable and talks about what she means to him all work to make this an awesome song.  Enjoy!   ^_^

Also, on a completely unrelated note,

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Museday [3]

This is an artist whose radio hit had me dancing and singing every time I heard it.  I had to hear more and found today's track.  So who and what is it?

Today's Muse is...Tigerlily by La Roux.

I absolutely love La Roux's song Bulletproof so I went in search of more.  I came across this song and it instantly fit part of my current story.  One of my characters sort of pulls my MC into this world that is a dangerous, tantalizing, and frightening all at the same time.  I love that this song is from the point of view of the hunter who is basically taunting/teasing the hunted.  The song has a great atmosphere that really expresses the strange feeling of the world my MC steps into for a while, as well as they mysteriousness of the person pulling her into it.

The video below shows the lyrics while the song is playing.  It's catchy and different so please take a listen.  Enjoy!   ^_^

Museday [2]

This is one of my absolute favorite singer/songwriters and one of my absolute favorite songs.  I could listen to him sing this song all day long.  So who and what is it?

Today's Muse is...Let It Be Me by Ray LaMontagne.

I found about about this amazing artist (whose last name I cannot pronounce) by listening to Pandora.  This particular song is my most favorite of his, though he has many, many good ones.  Not only is it beautiful and have this peaceful yet serious ambiance, it also fits a particular future character of mine.  Specifically, this song exemplifies the feelings this character has for my MC.  Unfortunately, I don't get to write about him until book two, and where this song would play in the background of an important scene isn't until book three.  So right now I use this song to daydream about my two favorite characters finally finding one another.

The video below shows Ray LaMontagne playing this in a studio.  I literally fall asleep listening to this it is so amazing.  Definitely makes me dream up stuff for my characters.  Please take a listen!  I hope you fall for it as much as I did and do every time!  ^_^

Museday [1]

I'm thinking most of my features will be posted bi-weekly, so we'll see how that goes.  One of the new ones is Museday, which is where I take a Tuesday post to highlight something that inspires me in my writing.

Today's Muse is...Magic by Colbie Caillat.

This song is really just a beautiful love song in the effervescent sunshine style of Colbie Caillat.  What makes it muse-worthy for me is that fact that she calls it Magic.  I've not talked a whole lot about the plot of my WIP, but magic is a big deal.  Plus, the feelings Colbie describes in her song fit a relationship my MC will have in a future novel, a relationship I am so ready to get to writing!  So this song keeps that dream alive of (finally!) getting my two favorite characters together and helps me visualize some sweet moments they might have later on.  Not to mention my MC will actually be able to feel her LI's magic, which is mentioned in the first verse.  The song is just too good to be true.  Except that is it!  ^_^

And while I love the original version by Colbie Caillat, I can't help but share this cover made by one of my favorite actresses and hopefully soon to be signed singers, Skyler Day.  Enjoy!