Music for focusing on your work

[TimCaloweh]

Please help others by posting the music you listen to for your work as well as an explanation why it helps in your specific genre and/or tone.

[JenniferBourne]

Not exactly music, but when I'm doing the first half of drawing (blocking things out, gestures, facial expressions etc..) I prefer listening to steady sound effects like the ones found here

When it's time for inking and shading, I listen to a wide variety of stuff- opera, jazz from the 20s and 30s, and modern music too. That's also when I listen to podcasts.

[rantscomics]

I really like any kind of lo-fi hip hop. Gets me in the right state of mind for writing.

[IdiotWithPencil]

I have a playlist for my music but for now I'm binge hearing this:

[DiegoPalacios]

While my comic is a comedy, i use epic music to inspire myself.

This version of You say run, because the sheer epicness of the song gives me the motivation boost to work when i am feeling unmotivated.
Also to inspire me when i am thinking of action scenes.

This theme for similar reasons but for heroic moments.

I still need to find music for comedic moments and sad moments, so if someone finds a good one, that would make my day.

[Rixou]

Pandora's Scar is a present day Fantasy story with a manga-esque art style, but something about anime soundtracks really throws me off when I'm working on it. I prefer something which can blend into the background. Soft rock is a favorite, but other choices can range from country music to Italian opera depending on my mood. Regardless of genre, music is a must- it helps me keep track of time passing so I don't get 'stuck' both mentally and physically.

I've also developed a liking for Youtube play lists. I start with something I know and like, and just let the list play on. It turns out nice surprises- sometimes I may be in the mood for soft tunes, but running into a fast and energetic number helps keep me on my toes. And if there's anything I really don't like, I can just skip to the next appropriate tune in the list.

Also, as a rule, I listen to music/instrumental only tracks when I am writing plot or dialogue- anything involving text. But when I am working on my artwork, I like to have lyrics : )

[dawgofdawgness]

I love Caravan Palace! They do electro swing music, which is jazz/hip hop/electronic.

[TimCaloweh]

Thats good but do you have any music you listen to specifically?

[XzynderVexymous]

Evil Needle - Intrepidity

This helps me get into the zone. But of course, this is my favorite song ever.

[rinfumochi]

I listen to metalcore bands a lot when I'm doing my work! Simply because some of them have a really good lyrics and I'm always emotional when I'm listening to some songs.

[parkcathedralgrace]

I listen to whatever whenever. I don't have music specifically for working on my art.

Here are some random albums that I've recently listened to while working on things:

Refused- The Shape of Punk To Come (Genre: Hardcore Punk, Art Rock)
Curtis Mayfield- Roots (Genre: 70's Soul)
Shining- One One One (Genre: Experimental Metal)
John Denver- Windsong (Genre: 70's Folk, Country)
Tomahawk- Self-Titled Album (Genre: Experimental Metal)
Joni Mitchell- Court & Spark (Genre: 70's Folk, AM Pop)
Pixies- Doolittle (Genre: Indie Rock)
Max B- Quarantine (Genre: NY Hip-Hop)

@rinfumochi:
Since you mention metalcore, what do you think of mathcore bands like Converge, Botch & The Dillinger Escape Plan?

[rinfumochi]

I don't really listen to mathcore bands, out of the 3 bands you mentioned above, I've only known about The Dillinger Escape Plan (stumbled upon their video on YT). But from a few that I happened to listen, I think their music sounds really interesting

I don't follow many bands anymore though so I mainly just listen to bands that I've followed for years like BMTH, blessthefall, eyes set to kill, nightwish or for Japanese bands: dir en grey, Versailles, coldrain, LIV Moon, Galneryus and Maximum the Hormone.

[emkay]

For me, listening to music doesn't help with a specific genre or tone; it's just for me to listen to and enjoy. I'd say the only music that really inspires me in the Fantasy genre is Norwegian/Viking music. Here are some of my favorites:

• 1 Hour of Dark and Powerful Viking Music (by Danheim)
• Raven (by Hedningarna -- I love A LOT of songs by Hedningarna)
• Vargtimmen (by Hedningarna)
• Drafur Och Gildur (by Hedningarna)
• Eivør (by Trøllabundin)
• Völuspá (by Wardruna)
• Herr Mannelig (by Garmarna)
• Viking Music - Rúnatal Óðins Rune Song
• Tuuli (by Hedningarna)
• Heila (by Hedningarna)

[Rixou]

Like.. actual titles? As of this present moment a band I like is one ok rock(all the songs in the link, basically), Aurora' s 'Runaway' and other songs are a nice change of pace. The lyrics of Beyonce' s 'I was here' and OneRepublic' s 'I Lived' keeps me motivated. 'A drop in the ocean' by Ron pope fits in with the more tender moments in my story and I listen to Andrea Bocelli when i want opera.

My 'playlist' changes ALOT though. Things get added, fall out and fall back in all the time. But hopefully this gives a better picture!

[thomasfallaeriksen]

Jean Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream.

[juyunseen]

This album https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dfe2yseIM

Trust me

[Vanzish]

Usually, i try to immerse myself in the exact atmosphere of the scene i'm trying to portray, if there is a specific one and i wanna put emphasis on an emotion. That means i'll listen to specific songs only and that can vary. Can either be serious or just very silly.

Faith No More - Superhero - when i think of a more serious scene that involves danger maybe
Jazz Jackrabbit 2 - Beach Bunny - if i want something goofy with silly expressions
Alice Madness Returns - Dollhouse - if i want a sinister atmosphere
Patrick Wolf - The Sun is Often Out - if i want something sad (tbh when i pay attention to the lyrics, this song is heartbreaking)

Generally though, i listen to a lot of Infected Mushroom. Each song feels like it's composed of smaller songs and it feels like a journey overall, very relaxing and entertaining. Here are some examples, although the moods of their songs vary a lot:
Infected Mushroom - Stretched
Infected Mushroom - Heavyweight
Infected Mushroom - Riders on the Storm

Worth noting that Two Steps From Hell and The Prodigy are also pretty good to listen to, when working.

[darkone4587]

I typically listen to a lot of game soundtracks, but I don't have trouble concentrating with a lot of noise.

[modrawmanga]

Two steps from hell music and soundtrack from scifi tv series or movies such as The Expanse and The Martian. It just fit the mood of my comic cos of the futuristic scifi feel to it and the epicness of two steps from hell music I can listen to anytime cos its very inspiring

[Ayumi]

For me it's very important to listen music for making my comics, because the coloring or inking for hours can be very monotonous. I usually have my actual favorites on youtube, so it depends on that.
Recently I listen these:

Indie rock compilation March 2017
Indie Rock Compilation July 2017
Indie Rock Compilation September 2017

Alvvays - S/T (2014) Full Album
Two Door Cinema Club - Beacon (Full Album)
The Best Of Keane
Beach House - Depression Cherry [FULL ALBUM STREAM]
Beach House - Bloom [FULL ALBUM STREAM]
Cigarettes After Sex - Cigarettes After Sex (Full Album)
Mother Mother - No culture

And I have my fav songs on my playlists too...