Being a music lover, I always enjoy exploring new genres of music. This week, I’ve been looking into the world of video game soundtracks. One of my friends introduced me to it as an excellent type of music to listen to while writing. I don’t play a lot of video games, so I don't normally listen to their soundtracks much, unlike movie scores, but now that I’ve start listening to them, I wish I’d tried them earlier. They make amazing songs to write to. Today’s piece is
Dancing Mad, and it’s been perfect for the dramatic, scenes that I’ve been typing in my NaNo novel this week.
Dancing Mad is a very dramatic piece that alternates between softer sections of amazing organ music and louder, more frantic electronic music. It would be well suited to an explosive showdown between characters or a scene where the cast are going into battle against enormous odds. It would also suit a scene of high energy or tension. If you’re looking for a piece with a bit of drive, why not give this one a listen?
What music are you listening to this week? Do you listen to video game soundtracks? What’s your favourite video game?
Music sets the mood right. I'm currently listening to Happy Songs album on Spotify to wake me up and keep the good vibes rolling while I write. :) Great choice.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Music can really help set the tone of a scene or a chapter while I'm writing it. I always find it very useful to have a whole bunch of different music on hand so I've got something to chose from. Spotify sounds like a great place to find the right sort of music. I've never used it myself, but I know a lot of other writers do. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOh WOW, I was surprised to find a post on this! I love listening to video game music and movie soundtracks as I write fantasy. But this Distant Worlds one was very unique. First it reminded me of Dragon Age, and then... it... didn't. Haha!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite computer game is The Legend Of Zelda with the second being Jade Empire (on Xbox.) Both of them have music that I love. Right now though, I'm briting a darker part of my novel so I'm listening to Beyond: Two Souls soundtrack and Inception OST. Aww, I adored this post! I'm glad you've found new music to help you write (music is sooo important for me).
I've heard a little of the Inception soundtrack and I have to say, it's amazing. I really should look it up and listen to the rest of it actually. The Legend of Zelda games all sound pretty cool. If I was able to play any video I'd have a tough time choosing between that and Final Fantasy I think. Video game music is surprisingly good for writing fantasy to, isn't it?
DeleteI've been playing games for a long time now, and music has always been one of the great things about them. Some of my favourite stuff is from a long time back because on the older systems they had a very limited soundset to use, so they did incredible things to make it memorable. They were also insanely creative with that small toolset.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to dig in that old treasure chest, but some great ones that I almost always keep handy are:
Morrowind's Explore 7 (all time favourite) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtzMX-Y9Uvo
Deus Ex Human Revolution Menu Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCKt8_OVXbs
FTL Soundtrack (It's gold, really. Milkyway & Civil I liked most, first, though cosmos is strangely compelling) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygH9VcV7IBg
Defender's Quest - Hanging around Town (loop it) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Iwm6btFup4
Deus Ex - Unatco - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBPK_oXeJgA
Divine Divinity - Something is Amiss - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdvsKWw4piA
I do have to admit, though, there are a lot more oldskool soundtracks with a sci-fi bent, rather than fantasy. Or at least the standout ones. I'm not exactly sure why that is, but it might just be the games I came into contact with, rather than a lack of fantastical music.
I find older music quite fascinating actually. They had so much less and still managed to do amazing things with their music. I'm still listening my way through your recommendations, but I'm really enjoying them all. The FTL soundtrack is really cool. I can definitely feel the sci-fi in that one. It is probably the games you played. Though the one from Defender's Quest does sound like it would suit fantasy fairly well too. Thanks so much for the recommendations! I was just in need of some new music.
DeleteI tried mostly to link fantasy stuff, but the reality is I just know more sci-fi :p Didn't want to swamp you though! I ended up listening to the lemmings tune "lend a helping hand" in the end :p
DeleteWell, I love sci-fi style music too, so it doesn't matter to me. You can recommend me music any time you like. I like to explore new pieces.
DeleteThat's a lovely piece. So full of emotion! I'm off to go look at more video game soundtracks now. Like you I don't play many games, but their music is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm very lucky to have a friend who's really interested in video games. I asked her if she could recommend any good music and she gave me a list of about two dozen pieces. I think I'm going to have to share some more of them in the future. They really do feel like they have a story hidden in them, don't they? It makes them perfect for fitting to a novel.
DeleteVideo game soundtrack is amazing! LOVE IT. Although I really haven't listened to much except what Mime (she's such a music nerd) sends me. x) I feel like I might've heard this piece before?? Can't quite place it though. :)) I hope NaNo's going well for you!
ReplyDeleteI've never listened to much either, but I have awesome friends who share their cool music with me, and then I grab it and pretend that I'm the one with all the awesome tunes. Thanks! It's going really well actually. Congrats on your win! I hope you're enjoying your well earned rest.
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