Some writing music: Part 179

Salutations inmates!

How goes the week? Keeping it crazy I hope. Of course you are, you silly little minxes! I’ve felt somewhat off myself. Not exactly in the negative sense, but I’ve simply been feeling all over the place. Struggling to focus and the like. I admit I’ve had a lot on my mind, but this feels a little more intense than I’m used to. It may be a silly question without specific contexts, but would anybody have any theories? In more substantive conversations, I’ve been rather happy with my recent poems. I do, however, feel I’ve been missing something a bit in the last few months. I haven’t created any of my true crime poems in far too long! Anybody else think I ought to fix that? Any suggestions?

So, you know what we’re here for today right? Come on! Ok, I’ll tell you. Do you know the muffin man? -No wait, that’s not right. Oh yes. It’s the Harlequins writing music today isn’t it? Yes, I’m sure. Did anybody see the clue earlier on today? It wasn’t as vague as some previous ones have been. Well, hopefully not anyway.

The theme for our writing music this week is pianos and keyboards! That most extravagant of musical instruments that often act almost like centrepieces on a stage. Similar to drumkits I suppose. It’s an instrument that I really wish I could play but I fear I like the manual dexterity or focus to get it done. Instead I listen to the masters and mistresses. From the most famous composers to “amateurs” on Youtube. It’s a rather skilful practice as is any instrument, but I just feel a certain culture emanating from it. The feelings that a well-played piano can invoke are myriad. It can be the most sombre heart-breaking dirge or an upbeat dancey tune like ‘The Entertainer’. It can be as complex or simplistic as the player allows, with a range that I feel dwarfs many other musical instruments, perhaps even guitars. I’m going to show you all five of my favourite piano pieces from around the interwebs and I hope that y’all enjoy them as much as I do.

So please, join me as we delve into the musical minds of pianists the world over!

Motoi Sakuraba – Gwyn Lord of Cinder
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoi_Sakuraba

Adele – Someone Like You
https://www.adele.com/

Beethoven – Für Elise
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven

Soken/Keiko/Amanda Achen Keenan – Return To Oblivion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masayoshi_Soken
https://www.keikomatsui.com/
https://www.amandasingsthings.com/

John Legend – Nervous
https://www.johnlegend.com/

And there we have it! I don’t think I could really have much to say about these artists other than wow! I really hope you check out all of these artists if you haven’t already listened to them. Yes, even the videogame ones. They all deserve it for certain. There were many more that I could have chosen for this list, but perhaps I ought to leave that for a potential future continuation eh?

So, on to the usual social media nonsense eh? It’s got to be done you know! The asylum has some social media sites that would really like to receive your affection. Or maybe just a like/follow will do. It would mean a great deal to me! The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and lastly a page over on Twitter as well! Links will be included here as always! Also, if you really enjoy what I do here at my humble asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page as well! Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 118

Good day inmates!

So another week is here eh? How’s it been for you? 2022 thrown any spanners at you yet? I certainly hope not, that would be rather rude. I’m really not enjoying the winter, I’ll admit. I’ve had a stinking cold yet again. It’s more annoying than debilitating at this point. It also seems like almost everyone I know is getting similar things. It’s not the great plague either, just the time of year I suppose. Still, it’s not stopped me writing at least.

So, it’s time for part 118 of the Harlequins writing music. I wonder if one day I’ll get to a thousand parts of this series. That’s quite an insane thought, even for me. Did anybody see my clue earlier today? I revealed that I’m showing off a single band in todays edition. Did anybody work out who the band was?

Yes, that’s right! It was Paddy and the Rats! Now, they are a band I’ve listened to for a couple years after finding them purely by accident on the great tube. They are a rather distinctive band from Hungary that take a lot of inspiration from the likes of Celtic and folk music. At times they can sound like a fairly standard punk rock band, but then throw in an accordion, electronica and a variety of instruments I don’t even know the names of. They have their fair share of upbeat jigs, but then are quite capable of slower, more sombre melodies. I’m going to try and show you guys just how broad their music chops can go. Let’s go, shall we?

Join me as we delve into the musical minds of Paddy and the Rats!

Paddy and the Rats – That’s My Nature

Paddy and the Rats – Join The Riot

Paddy and the Rats – My Sharona

Paddy and the Rats – Dark After The Night

Paddy and the Rats – Ghost From The Barrow

And there we go! Quite a varied array of songs eh? I could listen to these guys all day to be honest with you. It wasn’t actually too easy to narrow down my choices to only five songs, but I could hardly put the bands entire discography on here. They even did their own version of the song ‘Drunken Sailor’! It’s really good! As always, I’ll include a link to their website here for your perusal. I hope you check them out, they really deserve the love!

Here you go! https://www.paddyandtherats.hu/

Speaking of links, I ought to include my own eh? The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and even a Twitter page! Please consider following me over on those as well, it really helps! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page as well! Cheers for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 117

Good day inmates!

Happy new year! I know it was a few days ago, but that was for everyone I hadn’t got the chance to wish well. I hope you all had some grand celebrations. I think you all deserve it after the last couple years eh? Did many of you have to nurse a monster hangover afterwards? I’m genuinely curious. I had a bit of a quiet one myself. Not due to lack of invitations, but rather a distinct lack of energy. As it happens, it was also my birthday on the 2nd as well. Happy birthday to me and all that. Another year closer to the grave eh? Haha!

So, it’s time for the first edition of the Harlequins writing music of 2022! I wish I could claim I’m going to do something special, but alas, not this time my friends. It’s going to be a pretty standard showing. I hope that isn’t the negative it sounds in my head. Did anybody see the clue earlier today? I quite liked that one as I’m rather fond of that kind of artwork.

Well, now for the “big” reveal! Todays musical theme is the macabre! I don’t know if you knew this, but the generally grisly, morbid and darkest things have informed much of my creativity for years. Poetry about the undead, monsters, death and yes, those darn serial killers. Sure, much of my work is political, philosophical, satirical or just generally wacky in nature but I find it hard to conceal my interest in the macabre. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but the darker aspects of the world and human experience are not to simply be shirked. They are as real and unavoidable as the reaper itself. Art is not always aesthetically pleasing. I watch a lot of horror movies and shows alright? It’s not my fault. So, want to hear some music inspired by the darker aspects of the mind? I knew you would!

So, join me as we delve into the musical minds of ghastly artists the world over!

Gothminister – The Sun
https://www.gothminister.com/

Brothers Osborne – Skeletons
https://www.brothersosborne.com/

Ghostemane – Bonesaw
https://www.ghostemane.com/

Rammstein – Stirb Nicht Vor Mir
https://www.rammstein.de/en/

Ghostfire – Vaudevillain
https://www.youtube.com/c/ghostfiremusic/

And there we have it once again! Some interesting artists there no? I actually tried to avoid the obvious macabre choice of just loads of gothic bands. That would have been a little too easy I feel. Cradle of Filth, Tiamat or Behemoth wouldn’t be bad choices if you’re into those kinds of bands. Also the Tiger Lillies and Creature Feature! I hope you find something that you enjoy here anyway. Check them all out, they all deserve the attention you know!

Speaking of attention, mind if I have some? I have social media sites you know! The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and a page on Twitter as well. Please consider checking out those pages for random stuff! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page too! Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 116

Hello there inmates!

How are you all doing this week? Nursing a hangover or getting over those food comas? I hope that you all had a great christmas day. I know I did! I ate far too much and drank a little more than is medically advised. Did you guys get everything you wanted? Did you spend time with your loved ones? I’m really happy to hear it! We’re coming up to the new year as well, so that’ll be fun I suppose. Not entirely over the moon about what the new year might bring of course, but who knows!

So, it’s time for that weekly mess of musical splendour. The Harlequins writing music! As I always ask about this time, did anybody see the clue to todays musical theme? I thought it was a pretty good one, if I do say so myself.

So todays musical theme is the noughties! Ahh yes, the first decade of this millennium. I was teenager during this decade, so I remember bits of it quite vividly. Not necessarily in a positive light, but that’s teenage life. Believe it or not, I wasn’t actually a big music fan at the time. I had favourites of course, but I was not known to listen to it extensively. There were some big bands during these years, I actually find it hard to pinpoint what was special musically about the noughties specifically. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake I suppose. Oh yes, and Nickelback. It was the type of music that, much like the nineties, seems quite timeless in the public consciousness. Almost everyone has heard the songs and can even sing along in a fashion. Speaking of singing along, let me know if you do with todays musical offerings eh? Let’s get on with it!

So, join me as we delve into the musical minds of eclectic artists the world over!

Evanescence – Bring Me To Life
https://evanescencestore.com/

Darude – Sandstorm
https://www.darude.com/

Groove Armada – Superstylin’
https://www.groovearmada.com/

Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
https://www.katyperry.com/

Outkast – Hey Ya!
https://outkast-shop.com/

And there we have it! Not a Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake in sight! There are some mainstream ones in there, but I wanted to avoid those particular artists as I’m not a fan at all. I hope that you found something that you wanted to sing along with. That’s always fun to do when creating art! I hope you check all of these out anyways!

So, speaking of checking out, why not check out my social media sites? The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and even a Twitter page! Also, if you really enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page! Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 115

Hello there inmates!

How are you all getting on? Not frozen yet then I hope! It’s been a bit of a chilly one this week hasn’t it? At least it has been here on this island. It’s starting to feel a bit more like Christmas. So that’ll be feeling perpetually cold and having no cash whatsoever. There are certainly enough bright coloured lights everywhere! Happy holidays and such! I feel like my cynicism seems to be flowing at full power right now so I’ll apologise on that point. I’m loving life I swear! Haha!

So, speaking of loving life, who wants to listen to some music? Did anybody see the clue to todays musical theme? I thought it was a pretty good one, if I do say so myself.

Well, the musical theme for today is fantasy! Ahh of course! The realm of elves and orcs and short people with hairy feet. It’s one of my favourite genres in almost all mediums, behind horror of course. I’ve been fascinated with fantasy since my early years. Reading ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Sword of Shannara’ books back in the day definitely had an impact my interests going forward. I’ve written many poems about several facets of fantasy. From magic to mythical creatures, from wizards to worlds that don’t exist. It’s the quintessential essence of escapism, in much the same way as science fiction can be. I just think I’d rather be able to wield magic than fly a spaceship. How about you guys? Also, want to hear some music? I knew you would!

Join me as we delve into the musical minds of mythic artists the world over!

Spellblast – Goblin’s Song
http://www.spellblast.com/

TheFatRat – Fly Away
https://twitter.com/ThisIsTheFatRat

Eluveitie – Omnos
http://www.eluveitie.ch/

Nightwish – Amaranth
https://www.nightwish.com/

Aviators – Traveler’s Song
https://soundoftheaviators.bandcamp.com/

And there we have it for another week!

Did any of these songs whisk you away to another world unlike our own? I hope they cast a spell on you! I hope you enjoy each of these artists and check out their other music as well! They all deserve the attention and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as well!

Speaking of enjoying stuff, let’s have some social media links. The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and a page over on Twitter as well! Consider following me over on those pages too for poem clues ahead of time and other nonsense! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page too! Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 114

Good day inmates!

Happy hump day whatever that means! How’s your week going so far? All good I hope. Not bored of the holiday season yet? I may be a little bit I confess. The music is getting to me, I swear. You can only hear Slade or Mariah Carey a handful of times before brain cells start dying. I’m a scrooge, I can’t help it! Hope all of you are having a nice time anyway!

So, let’s talk about music that won’t murder your minds, the Harlequins writing music! I’m never a scrooge about that! Did anybody see the clue to the theme this time? I know I ask every time, but I’m always curious. I was quite happy with this one.

Well, todays musical theme today is instrumentals! You know, music doesn’t always have to include a vocalist to be memorable or entertaining. Far from it in fact. Musicality can be just as thrilling in the technical skill of the musicians. The sound of the beat, the timbre, the “bounce” if you like. Hell, even some of the most recognisable songs in history had no lyrics. Classical music anybody? I suppose not being able to sing along to something could be a negative to some, but I don’t think an instrumental song is any lesser than one with lyrics. Would you like to hear a few? I think I can manage that. Let’s see…

So, join me as we delve into the musical minds of skilled artists the world over!

Apocalyptica – Path
http://www.apocalyptica.com/

Clint Mansell – Lux Aeterna
https://iamclintmansell.com/

Lindsey Stirling – Roundtable Rival
https://www.lindseystirling.com/

Isaac Albeniz – Asturias
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Alb%C3%A9niz

Top Secret Drum Corps – Virginia Tattoo
https://www.topsecretdrumcorps.com/

And there we have it! I tried to get a bit of a variety in this one. I hope you all give each of these artists a try and show them some love. They all deserve the attention and on a personal note, that last one in particular is a real soft spot for me. Not sure why.

So, let’s get the social media mess out of the way. The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and a page over on Twitter. It would mean a great deal to me and my internal monologue if you’d follow me over there as well. I share the clues for my poems a few hours ahead of time over there! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 113

Hello there inmates!

So, another chilly December week is here (or halfway gone) and the Christmas adverts are beginning to become rather grating. The music is always going to be a negative for me when it comes to this time of year. So, I would not expect a ‘Xmas-themed’ list if I’m honest. It’s like “Yes, I get that it’s Christmas but do we need to be bombarded?!”, it’s tiresome. Anyway, enough about that, how have you all been? Keeping those creative furnaces burning hot I hope. Especially in this cold weather!

So, it’s time once again for the Harlequins writing music! As always, I shared a clue for the theme earlier on today. Did anybody see it and guess correctly?

Well, the musical theme for today is Bereavement. Oh yes, a tad less positive than last week eh? It’s something that I think every single person on this planet has experienced at least once in their lives. That includes musicians as well you know. As such, many artists have created songs based around the feelings of grief or more specific to the individual that they have lost. Somebody may write a song about losing their mother in particular, for example. Another artist may write about the life story of a family member. Music has a unique way of shining light upon emotional distress and so I feel it’s the best way to deal with feelings of sorrow and loss. I hope many of you would agree.

Would you kindly join me as we delve into the musical minds of solemn artists the world over!

My Chemical Romance – Helena
http://www.mychemicalromance.com

Slipknot – Snuff
https://slipknot1.com/

VNV Nation – Illusion
http://www.vnvnation.com/

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
https://www.lewiscapaldi.com/

The 1975 – Nana
https://the1975.com/

And there we have it! Are there ninjas cutting onions in here? I can feel my eyes water a tad. I hope you enjoy the musical choices this week. Please check all of these artists out, they all deserve the attention!

Speaking of attention, I’m on social media you know! The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Twitter and even a page over on Instagram. Please follow me over on those too eh? It really helps me out! If you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 112

Hello there inmates!

How are we all doing this week? And by ‘we’ I obviously mean all of you lovely people out there. I hope you’ve all been creating to your hearts content. I really need to get into the habit of looking through more peoples blogs and websites. Not to mention interacting more with other bloggers. I seem to be lax with this recently and it’s not great. That’s something for me to work on I suppose. Also, it’s starting to look a lot like Christmas now. Or so all the adverts keep telling me. I’m not a great fan as I’ve mentioned before.

Enough about the holidays for now though. It’s time for music isn’t it? The Harlequins writing music that is! Did anybody see the clue for todays musical theme earlier on? I know I ask that every week but I am genuinely curious how many people see them.

Todays musical theme is that abhorrent thing we all call love. Or romance. Or affection. What ever nomenclature you prefer. It’s a pretty integral part of the human experience isn’t it? It can be love of a partner, love of family and I suppose even love for oneself. I think it would be reasonable to say that everyone feels love at some point or other. An assumption perhaps. But a safe one I feel. When it comes to music, there is no shortage of musical artists who play music themed around romance or love. I’d say that some of the most well known songs ever definitely romantic ballads. Lionel Richie anybody? Incidentally not on todays list, but you get the idea. Speaking of, who wants to see todays musical choices? “Hurry up you stupid clown!” I hear you shout. Ok, ok, I’m getting on with it!

Join me as we delve into the musical minds of amorous artists the world over!

Steam Powered Giraffe – I Don’t Have A Name For It
https://steampoweredgiraffe.com/

George Michael – Careless Whisper
https://www.georgemichael.com/

Poets Of The Fall – The Sweet Escape
https://poetsofthefall.com/

HIM – Killing Loneliness
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIM_(Finnish_band)

Emma Hiddleston/Marcin Przybylowicz – The Wolven Storm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcin_Przyby%C5%82owicz

And there we have it once again! Have these choices made your heart ache? Beat faster? Well good, they’re all excellent songs and artists. Haha! I hope that you all give them some love as they all deserve it. Maybe play one of them to someone who is important to you. Dance with a loved one. Profess your feelings to somebody through music.

Enough about all that soppy stuff eh? Let’s have some social media nonsense. The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and a page over on Twitter as well. Please consider following me over on those sites too! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please also consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 111

Good day inmates!

How does the week find you so far? Keeping warm I hope. Keeping those artistic vibes going strong too I hope. It’s gotten bloody chilly here, I tell you. I wouldn’t say it exactly feels like full-on winter just yet, but it’s certainly autumnal. I don’t like the cold, have I ever mentioned that? I rarely do well in the winter. Still, at least I’m not unwell anymore right? The cough is hanging on by a thread, but all is clear apart from that.

So, for todays post you know what to expect by now I’d hope. That’s right! It’s the Harlequins writing music once again. I think I’ve got an interesting one for you guys this week. I was torn between a few different subjects, but settled on this one eventually. Did anybody see the clue earlier? Not too subtle I suppose.

Well, that’s me attempting to demonstrate a little bit of our musical theme today. Today’s musical theme is Goth! I don’t look all that goth in that photo, but you get the idea. This much-maligned (wrongfully so) subculture is a melting pot of artistic ideas. From the fashion to the music, the ideals to the attitudes. Goth is a fascinating scene and something I’m quite fond of personally. But you didn’t come here for a lesson on Goth did you? No, you’ve come for music and that is an area where I feel goth excels. Stereotypically you may think of your average screaming death metal band, but goth is so much more than that. It has propagated into genres of all kinds. You still get your metal bands, but you can find gothic electronica, gothic orchestral numbers and even gothic rappers. Or alternative, if you prefer. Want to hear some? Go on, treat yourself.

Join me as we delve into the musical minds of dark artists the world over!

Dead Lights – The Host
https://www.deadlights.band/

Cradle Of Filth – Nymphetamine
https://www.cradleoffilth.com/

Tiamat – Cain
https://www.facebook.com/tiamat/

$uicideboy$ – Antartica
https://www.instagram.com/suicideboys/

Type O Negative – I Don’t Wanna Be Me
https://typeonegative.net/

And there we have it once again! I hope you enjoy my choices this week. I realise that what people consider “gothic” can vary quite radically from person to person, but I consider all of these artists gothic in their own ways. They exemplify the mindset in my opinion. I hope you guys check out each of these artists and let me know what you think. They all deserve the attention!

And speaking of attention, come and look at my social media! The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Twitter and a page over on Instagram. Please consider following me over on those eh? Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please also consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Thanks for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 110

Hello there inmates!

Things are finally looking up on the illness front! I’m feeling a whole lot better now, though I do still seem to have a slight cough. A vast improvement though, that’s for sure. Thank you for all of your comments wishing me well, that meant a lot to me. As I mentioned last week though, it hasn’t slowed me down on the artistic side too much. At least I hope my work hasn’t suffered. Let me know eh? Haha!

So, on to the main event. Or whatever people say these days. The Harlequins writing music is here once again to infest your ears with lovely little musical maggots. That sounded so much nicer in my head. Anyway, did anybody see todays music theme clue. It was a pretty evident one to be honest. Even more than usual.

Todays musical theme is clubbing! Oh yes. Going out on the town and being delightfully social. Not an area of expertise for me by a long shot, but I do have a soft spot for music that tends to go hand-in-hand with clubs. Nice thumping electronic or trance. Throw some pop in there, maybe some industrial if the setting is right, That tends to be the stereotypical sphere of clubs, but I think it also could include some of those more “cheesy” songs that everyone knows. Think the YMCA for example. Incidentally not on todays list, but it gives you the idea of what I mean. The point though, is the music of clubs is intended to make people dance and as such, I’m going to take it very personally if nobody dances to todays list. I’m kidding. Let’s get on it!

Join me as we delve into the musical minds of gratifying artists the world over!

Cascada – Everytime We Touch
https://cascada-music.de/

Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music
http://rihanna.com/

Pendulum – Witchcraft
https://pendulum.com/

Deadmau5 – Monophobia
https://deadmau5.com/

Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
https://www.neildiamond.com/

And there we have it for another edition of the Harlequins writing music. Yes, that last one was one of those “cheesy” songs that get put on once everyone at the club is already a bit wavy. Yes, I’ve witnessed it. I hope you check out all of these artists as they all deserve the attention. I feel like the artists I’ve shared this time are more on the well-known side of the spectrum, but still. Show them some love eh?

So, speaking about showing love. Show me some over on the social media sites, everything helps! The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and last but not least a page on Twitter. Links provided for your convenience of course. Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Cheers for everything!

Until next week, have a very crazy day inmates!