Soundtracks. We know about them. All movies and TV shows have. Yours truly owns a stupid amount of them. I have playlists for the gym, editing, and for various projects. I'm sure you have these as well. As I was getting ready for NaNoWriMo this year, I worked on coming up with a soundtrack for SFLN. Which is harder than you would think when you're doing it consciously. How do you manage to go beyond your "go-to" music to get the feel right for your story? It's a good question. Below I've listed a few tips that will help you go past the norm and beef up that soundtrack. Broaden your musical horizons. This should go without saying. If you listen to music beyond what's in your iPod, you might hear something that will blow your mind. Last.fm is a good place to start as you can listen to music based off of genre, similar artist, or other Last.fm users. Go by song title. Sounds lame, but sometimes a song title will give you some insight about what the...

Zombie Thursdays is a weekly feature with guest blogger, Miranda. You can read more about her here . Hello, everyone! Today's post not only encompasses a zombie, but also fits in with my new segment-- Zombie Thursdays presents-- Miranda Talks About Other Scary Horror Stuff that isn't Necessarily Related to Zombies, but that She Thinks You'll Enjoy Too! (Working Title) If you were to do a word association game with an Average Joe and said "zombie," chances are they may counter with "Rob." After all, Rob Zombie is fairly synonymous with horror, witches, zombies, Halloween, and all things creepy. Not to mention amazing music! Even if you're not a fan of his music, the man is talented. He's sold millions of albums worldwide and has been nominated for several Grammy awards. Clearly, I am a fan and must admit that his concert was probably one of the best and most fun shows I have ever been to! Some cool facts about Rob that you may not know: 1. His bir...

A couple of weeks ago, Alison Miller tagged me in this meme-type thing. Since it's Monday and the majority of us are enjoying hot dogs, parades, and fireworks it's perfect timing. Right? Right? Right. For once I'm blogging ahead of schedule and catching up on TV to boot, so I might as well warn you: sarcasm will be aplenty. 1) Do you think you're hot? Such an odd question, but it has such an easy answer. Nope. 2) Upload a pic or wallpaper you're using. Since I'm on the home machine I get to share the cuteness the graphic designer at work made for me. It's of The Stripey One. Isn't this awesome? 3) When was the last time you ate chicken? Thursday night at b Good in Boston. It was a grilled chicken breast because I've grown tired of burgers. 4) What were you thinking while doing this? Three things: Since I'm watching the season finale of The Vampire Diaries, I'm wondering if this is the kiss of death for Damon.  Also since...

Steve Almond talks about song and how it's a great way to study concise storytelling. When you think about it, it makes sense; songwriters have to do it in three minutes. Because I can, I want to share my top five* storytelling songs. As always, this isn't in any particular order and subjected to change at my discretion.

Every Wednesday, YA Highway asks their readership a simple question to answer on your blog. Once you answer, you link your blog in the comments for other readers to hop on board. This is Road Trip Wednesday. Today's topic : If your WIP or favorite book were music, what song(s) would it be? For my WIPs, I don't have any set songs, but more like set musical styles.When listening to music, I go for the auditory aesthetic* and less on the lyrical content. It usually takes me months (sometimes years) before I pay attention to the lyrics. For FALLING TO NORMAL, I listened to a lot of 90s rock. Even when I updated the setting to present day, the soundtrack didn't change. Candlebox and Alice in Chains will always work in Cheyenne's world, no matter what. Favorite Candlebox Song : You Favorite AIC Song** : Nutshell For PHOENIX RISING, I've been listening to a lot of atmospheric, prog rock. Don't question, because I can't explain. I've balance...

To say I listen to "eclectic" and "unconventional" music is an understatement. I'm fully aware that my music taste and most of the Lurkdom don't match up. But today isn't about why you should join the dark side and embrace Dimmu Borgir videos as your number one source of entertainment*. It's Zombie Thursday which means we must address the zombie in music. Now, I should examine why zombies are prevalent in certain musical genres, but the 9-5 job is kicking my butt. You can get an idea of what Miranda would say on the matter by reading her inaugural ZT post . Instead, what I'm going to do is list songs with "zombie" or a zombie reference in the title with links to the lyrics. Your job is to argue whether or not it's really about zombies or something more. Zombie - The Cranberries Pet Sematary - Ramones Zombie Prostitute - Voltaire Now I'm Feeling Zombified - Alien Sex Fiend Dawn of the Dead - Michale Graves Let ...

You all know by now that music sorta permeates my life. I can't play an instrument or nor did I marry a musical genius, but the obsession is there just the same. If you've lurked for a while you know how I like to force my fangirl crushes on you and my closest friends--Hubby included--are forced to listen to me blather about this band, that band, andohmigodTHISBAND. The CD collection is out of control and I'm trying very hard NOT to succumb to the siren song of the iTunes store. You get the picture. So distilling thousands--and I do mean thousands--of songs to the ten favorite of all time? Heh, it would be easier to not eat mint chocolate chip ice cream*. Without any more bull and in no particular order, I give you ALICIA'S TOP 10 SONGS OF ALL TIME** The Song: Full Circle by Aerosmith The Why: Whenever I hear this song, I'm immediately transported back to the Holiday Inn in Glen Ellyn, IL in 2000 where I met one of my best friends (plus others) in real lif...

For some half-cracked reason that I yet to understand, I joined a book club that focuses on reading music-related nonfiction. The book club started up this month by reading Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life by Steve Almond , which I talked about here and then fangirled some more here . It's a great way to kick off a book club devoted only to music, since Steve Almond gives clear examples of what he calls "drooling fanaticism" -- that thing we do when our music tastes must become everyone else's, or when we want to become BFFs with the musician in THAT band because the music is OMG SOOOOO AWESOME!!, or when we love an album so much we spoon it in bed*. I married a DF, I'm a quasi-DF, I know a few others, so this book hits a lot of points, even though I don't know more than half of the musicians mentioned. Alicia, what the hell are you getting at? Well, with the book club, there's a website and blog. Over the weekend, they asked the following questio...

Confession: I own close to 100 band tees*. Credit The majority of these are in some shade of black. Besides being the color choice of Hot Topic clones everywhere, black is also the T-shirt color of choice for metal bands. The question is why black? In my so-not-professional opinion, it's because WHATEVER BAND NAME thinks they're badass**. They showcase their badassedry by wearing black shirts of their own to complement an influx of (sometimes badly drawn) Technicolor tats. Fans in turn, show their unwavering faith in WHATEVER BAND NAME with a band shirt. Generally in black. Cred Black is versatile and goes great with jeans--the other standard piece to any metal uniform. If you doubt me, walk into a Black Label Society*** show where the colors are black, white (for silkscreen purposes ONLY), and denim. Clubs and other music venues are dark. Wearing a black tee aids in the average concert goer to blend with the night, like a ninja. This is also why if you just go...

Saying this week sucked hard would be an understatement. I had repeat technology fails, waking nightmares at the 9 to 5 job, and three days of cold rain. There were only two highlights to the week: my 3 year anniversary to Hubby and 90s music references on the Twitters and IRL. With that and the disturbing mashup of Baby Got Back and Rico Suave rolling in my brain, I bring you Four For Friday: Musical 90s Edition!!!* 1. Good Vibrations by Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.  (It takes a second to start. Patience, grasshopper.)   I'm not sure what was better for middle school Alicia. The beat of the song or the fact there were abs to stare at. 2. Bullet With Butterfly Wings by Smashing Pumpkins. One of the only songs where Billy Corgan's voice doesn't irritate me. Also it's *just* angry enough to sate the rage on those slow-burning days. 3. Black by Pearl Jam. 4. Creep by Radiohead.  Radiohead - New Music - More Music Videos My favoritest song by the...

Norton Antivirus, of course. And if you deny Dokken? And welcome to all of you who de-lurked yesterday. It's great to get to know the Lurkdom. ____ Last.fm hit of the day : Thunderkiss '65 by White Zombie

Image courtesy of cause=time . It's Music Month over on Erinn's blog and because I'm SUCH a follower, I'm doing the same here only a week delayed. What is it? There's tons of albums and music DVDs coming out this month that have to be heard. That's Erinn's reason anyway. For me, let's just say my biggest musical purchase of the year already happened and I'm celebrating it by giving away mix tapes. Is it really a tape? No. "Mix tape" just sounds much cooler than "mix CD." Fine. What's on this tape? Don't know. I haven't made it yet, but don't worry it won't be chockful of black metal or goth music. I do listen to other things, believe it or not. One thing I do know is that it's going to be full of awesome. Right. How do I enter? Read and comment. That means you, Lurkdom. The best comment of the week will win. Everyone's welcome to join in. You can comment on both old and new posts. I cons...

Dear Blog, It's been a while since my last letter. I hope you've been well. The last two weeks have been rough and I've tried to not let it intefere with my blogging schedule, but I've lost. While I recuperate from life, I'd like to show you what I get to look forward to on August 31. *squees in excitement* Love, Me PS: You should comment on the choose your own adventure . Tell me what happens to Sidney. _________ Last.fm hit of the day : Cuts 'n' Bruises by Son of Sam

Miranda is currently undergoing life. So while we wait for what she's planned, enjoy a zombie video. _________ Last.fm hit of the day: The Impartial Orchestral Mix by The Clockwork Dolls

Zombie Thur sdays is a weekly feature with guest blogger, Miranda. You can read more about her here . Do you like sex? Do you like zombies? Do you like sex with zombies? Yes? Me too! One bit of zombie culture that seems to have a large corner of the market is the sexualization of the undead. Much like I am actively trying to pinpoint exactly "Why Zombies?" I am also trying to figure out "Why Zombie Sex?" On a very basic and rational level, it makes no sense. But there's clearly something to it, or it wouldn't exist in such abundant levels. I'm working to explore this particular topic in more detail and hope to bring you the best (and the weirdest) in zombie sex! However, much like my sponsor and 'Zombie Thursday' blog host, I agree that this short week has kicked the shit out of me. Therefore, I am putting aside my review/blog on George Romero's Survival of the Dead (which I did in fact see on Tuesday), and instead I am giving you another...

RIP, RJD For those who don't know, Ronnie James Dio passed away yesterday from stomach cancer. He had been the voice behind several bands - Rainbow, Black Sabbath (once Ozzy left), Dio, and most recently, Heaven & Hell. But this isn't going to be a blog post chock full of what Dio brought to music, how much he meant to the metal scene, or how the world will be less without his talent. People out there have said it already and with more flair than I possess in my baby toe. This blog's actually for Hubby, who found out the news after a fun-filled day with yours truly. Hubby loves all things Dio and took the news hard. This morning I asked Hubby to give me his all-time favorite Dio song. He came back with ten. (Hubby's explanations in italics.) Hubby's 10 Favorite Dio-associated Songs 10. Walk Away by Black Sabbath: Self-explanatory. I'm going to get my pen and cape and lip-sync this with my foot up on a stool... (Reader, you'll get what he mea...

Hello, zombie fans! Miranda here-- This week I am taking a much needed break and vacation in the sun of Florida (insert joke about "Goths in the Sun" here...), but is that stopping me from bringing you some undead goodies on this Zombie Thursday? Absolutely not! I'm about to head out to the beach after just getting an hour long massage (jealous yet?), but I wanted to share with you an awesome video my friend Shae showed me last year. The band is called Naked Ape and the song is "Fashion Freak." The music is all synthesized and the vocals are slightly distorted, so to be honest, I'm not even sure if the song has anything to do with zombies. But the video... well, you'll see! It's directed by Eric Althin, and if you have a zombie fetish and a clean car fetish, get ready to pull the curtains down and lock the doors. Enjoy!

With my editing/ revising deadline encroaching upon my life and the world's most soul-destroying data entry project nipping at my brain, I have no true blog post today. Instead, I'm offering up an interview I just watched through ArtistDirect . You'll have to click through to watch it and I have to tell you that the language is definitely NSFW unless you have headphones. But, click here and scroll down to the interview. Then come back. I'll wait. I swear. ... Welcome back! It's not music you would listen to, I know. But sometimes you need something loud and angry to get your frustrations out. If you sometimes feel that need, you should probably pick this out when it comes out. (Which is August, according to rumor.) Reasons I'm Excited for this Album Murderdolls has Wednesday 13, aka fangirl crush number 1 . The original CD didn't leave my CD player for six months . The original songs were written by Wednesday 13 & Joey Jordison when th...

Dear Blog, I'm sorry that I can't work on you today, but I'm busy recovering from last night's HIM show. To say Finnish bands have a tendency to kick my rocking ass is an understatement. See?

I'm seeing HIM on Sunday. They're my favorite band after all things Wednesday 13 , of course. And since I'm busy with 9-5 stuff and I'm excited, you get a video. HIM - New Music - More Music Videos Did you like it? It's not my favoritest by them, but it is from one of my favorite albums, Razorblade Romance . The best is Love Metal . When the single of this song came out, I was finishing or just finished college. I didn't learn about them until 5 years later when Hubby introduced me to them. What a sad five years. I hadn't geeked out over a band so much since Aerosmith. I liked the songs, the rockiness of the music, and Ville's pretty. The only place we were able to pick it up was Hot Topic. This was pre-sparkly vampiredom when I could go in and not have an upchuck reflex, but this isn't designed to be a rant on that particular trend. This is supposed to be about fangirl crush #2. (You should know who #1 is.) Like all things Wednesday, s...