Battle of the Bands – An Extended Creative Discussion #1
So after we started the Creative Discussion – How do you beat the creative block, we realized that one of the main things that so many people go to for re-ignition of that creative fire, was music. This had come to no surprise to us, as music has often been a useful source of inspiration for us both. But it did get us thinking, which music? Sure, by and large, we all turn to the tunes to flip the script and reset switch in our brains and kick start the stormin’ once more, but what music?
Any music? Naw, just good music. Good music? But what makes it good music? A kickin’ beat, or lingering lyrics? Could be. Afterall, we are different, and are reached in different ways. So it is only natural that we would all be affected differently and respond to a variety of elements within the music we go to when a mental monkey wrench gums up our works. But what gives the music that indefinable inspirational quality that turns us on to the sound? Why, the band of course. It is the band we are responding to, more often than not, and it is the band that makes the music…what it is. Of course it is the band making the music, that is not what I meant. What I am saying is that, sure there are songs we drawn to, but the music and lyrics are filled with passion and given breath by the people who perform it. Giving the music both heart and soul, theirs. Without which, the music would fall flat and be as hard to listen to as The New Kids on the Block. Just kidding…nothing’s that hard. :p
So we turned the question over to you, the online Twitter populous. We started collecting responses last week to get this battle ball rolling. We asked the masses ‘What bands get your creative juices flowing, and why?’ and below are their responses…
The Tweeple Have Spoken – The Battle Begins
@jamiecroft – Sigur Ros – I love their sound. I can’t understand what they are saying, I believe they are from iceland. but the music is great.
@gariphic – Friendly Fires, Snow Patrol, Blu Mar Ten, Athlete
@bkmacdaddy – ALWAYS Dave Matthews. Most unique and genuinely creative original artist I know.
@LBOI – Jack Johnson & Pete Murray are very easy listening. They don’t deter my thought process n pump me with visions of creativity
@adellecharles – @LBOI oooh good call on jack johnson! I Also recommend Pink!
@fudgegraphics – “The Mars Volta” because their music is so energetic and has great build-ups. It’s very inspiring and stimulating. “Jose Gonzalez” because you get lost in the atmosphere created by his music. It puts you in a creative mindset.about 10 hours ago.
@arronlock – Slipknot. When I am in a rut throwing down with Slipknot get my creative juices going.
@jankowarpspeed – Metallica, Iron Maiden, Bad Religion -The most inspiring music for me, loaded with energy and power that I need. Fueling my creativity :)
@wannabef – King’s X – rock guitar, Beatles-esque harmonies, funky R&B grooves, smart lyrics — like 10 bands in one!
@nikibrown – sigur ros gets my creativity flowing. Such beautiful music. Would like to translate that beauty into my designs!
@ffffffive – The Killers, Coldplay, and The Fray without a doubt. :)
@briancray – Shpongle – because you can get lose track of time with their music, which is important for hardcore focus
@gooddogcreative – The Gourds fuel my creativity because they put so much of their own creativity into their music.
@esksmith77 – I like Maroon5. Their music is varied in tempo & type. It makes me happy. My head bobs, my heart lifts, & the smile spreads to the keyboard. Almost makes a white girl wanna dance. ALMOST
@claudiamonroy – Radiohead, TV on the Radio, Bjork (not really a band but …)
@stacychristian – COLDPLAY! Their energy and emotion inspires me.
@yellowpulp – for me, Taken by Cars, Updharmadown, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Coldplay. Its their melody and lyrics that inspires me most.
@SocialMediaWonk – See me…feel meEee…
@csleh – if I need creative fuel, listening to Podrunner keeps me going. light on voice, heavy on beat – low distraction high energy.
@graphicidentity – hi :D my all time favorite band is “Coldplay” ~ because they have have various range of beats, great melody and lyrics. Just perfect to listen in all kind of situations. Hey, I’m curious whats your favorite bands?
Well, since you asked, Audee, here are ours…
@rob_e_bowen – Definitely Bob Dylan and Placebo! Something about those fellas that just get my mind moving. Though the poetic stylings of Leonard Cohen, Mos Def, and say the Flobots, also really light my creative fires.
@angbowen – Placebo would be my number one band to listen to when I need inspiration. An upbeat tempo with amazingly original lyrics and one of the most unique voices I’ve ever heard. She Wants Revenge, The Dresden Dolls & Cibo Matto are also great for fueling my creativity.
What’s Your Two Cents?
So with the initial answers that we have, it seems Coldplay is on top of the pile for now, though with a few answers filled below in the comments section could change the forerunners all around. Hit us up with your favorite bands for getting your creative fires burning again, so we can see which bands, we as a community, are most turning to, to get us through our creative blocks.
An Added Word of Thanks
If you like this post and the other great content from Fuel Your Creativity then make sure you thank Moo for all of their support. Moo is a printing service that specializes in making your products uniquely shine among the printed masses, by allowing for multiple designs to be printed in your pack of business cards, minicards, postcards or more. By giving their customers the opportunity to customize each card printed with a different design of their own making, or choosing from some of Moo’s ready made images, Moo has moved into the forefront of the creative card printing arena!
Rob is the talented author and graphic designer, celebrated podcaster and poet, who is now the co-editor and imaginative co-contributor of Fuel Your Creativity. With a background working through most areas of the arts, Rob works from a creative wellspring that shows no signs of running dry.
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Glad to see I was considered! At least @stacychristian agrees with me that Coldplay is inspiring :). Great Post and nice way to discover new music too!
:) Hi Rob and Angie.. aw.. interesting to know about your favorite bands. I listen to Placebo’s music too sometimes “The Bitter End”. Great music they have! I knew this band from @nnes.
Another band I like could be Muse, The Cardigans and My Chemical Romance.
Really surprised that Coldplay is mentioned alot :D!
Thanks for inviting me to the discussion!
I love designing to pretty much anything by Lindsay Mac. Apocalyptica: Inquisition Symphony is also a great one. I love the emotion communicated through string instruments. It never fails to get my creative juices flowing.
Don’t laugh, but lately it’s been the Twilight Score. No, I’m not kidding ;-)
nice! explosions in the sky does it for me everytime!
Dave Matthews, Coldplay, Reset, Moby, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kings of Leon, The Killers…. All those give me some inspiration/motivation. Of course, there are many many more…
I missed the question posted to Twitter, but I’m also a music junkie. I listen to a bunch of Pandora stations while posting a bunch of my favorites to Blip.fm and Twitter… hopefully I’m not too annoying when posting music to Twitter. I wear headphones all day as my cube is in a call center… it’s the only way I can concentrate.
My constant rotation over the past month: Metric, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dreamend, Morrissey, Santigold, The Killers and The Stone Roses. Also listen to a ton of various rap/dance stuff like Run DMC, 50 Cent, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. I like pretty much everything except country. Also a big fan of Explosions In The Sky… and for similar music, check out the first two releases from Dreamend for that epic wall of guitar.
The Suede Eclectic
http://blip.fm/suedecrush
http://twitter.com/suedecrush
Mine would be all time coldplay, the fray, maroon5, my chemical romance just to name a few.. :]
Very enlightening to see some of the music choices here .. I’ve got new fodder for my ipod now. Thanks for considering my ramblings too :-)
Great article, showing us that great music vary for all of us. At the moment I listen to ‘The Best Smooth Jazz… Ever’ 4cd collection and Buddha Bar 7 – Sarangi and Sarod 2cd collection. This kind of music make my creative juices flowing. But the real inspiration comes from Bobby McFerrin who I’ve discovered few months ago really. IN general I like any kind of ‘chill out’ music
And I forgot to add http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAOMop30Hro <- this is Bobby McFerrin – By the seaside
My favourite band at the moment is Florence and the Machine and my favourite song from them is probably Cosmic Love // http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tpW-OqIxWo
Also love The Script // Breakeven // http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bQRXgKowOQ
and lastly One Republic // Apologize // http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm0T7_SGee4
Am I the only one that can’t concentrate with music?
@Henry – You actually had quite a few people agree with you on Coldplay. And we kind of though this would be a great way to find new music too :)
@Audee – Placebo is my favorite band, I pretty much listen to them when I need anything lol.
@Jessica – I’ve never heard of Lindsay Mac, I’ll have to check her/them? out!
@Michelle – No laughter here, I love the twilight score!
@Aaron – Explosions in the Sky is another for me to look up and listen to.
@D – Dave Matthews & The Red Hot Chili Peppers are two of my favorites too. Kind of each end of the spectrum depending on if I want chill music or energetic music.
@Kostandinos – Wow, I can’t imagine having to work in a call center. I would need headphones constantly too.
@snufsnuf – Another vote for Coldplay huh? I haven’t really listened to them much but it seems they have some very inspiring music.
@Sneh – I’m making a list of new bands to try. This has been a really fun post to do!
@Dan – I can see jazz being very inspiring, especially for abstract work.
@Anthony – Thanks for the links, I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet but it’s on my todo list.
@Mirko – There’s always one ;p – Seriously, I have times when I need quiet to work so I definitely understand. I figure there are quite a few others who are the same way.
Definitly alternative music
Godspeed You Black Emperor __the music they make makes me feel good, it fuels my dreams and thoughts. The construction of the music just makes me speechless. The same with “The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band & Choir” and Mono (the Japanese postrockband) and Sigur Rós!
Goethes Erben __It isn’t just music, it’s so much more then that. The theatrical aspect speaks for itself.
Joanna Newsom __This dream-fueling ‘new-folk’-music is sooooooo fantastic. Her voice, the lyrics, the harp, the music … just WAUW!!!!
Lacrimosa __since the beginning of my musical life I adore this band. It was the first band I saw life, and I’m still a big fan of them
The White Stripes __I like white stripes and I like their music. why? stupid question!
Venetian Snares __this amazing breakcore-music is like electricity in my brain, same with Aphex Twin, Kid 606 and Autechre bytheway
Tom Waits __I like this jazzy, strong voice combined with the music – it creates an special atmosphere
The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud __i have the feeling nobody knows this band. It’s underground music, but what a sound! I just can’t describe it in just words. (dark ambient)
ok, I better stop listing up all this goodness.
Let me know what music you like the most, and don’t forget to tell me why :-)
SUMMER CREATIVE:
dirty projectors – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMPF6lpM0XM
animal collective – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zol2MJf6XNE
fever ray – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-CpE73o2M
@Angie Yeah, she’s not mainstream, but I totally love her stuff. You should definitely give her a listen. I’ve honestly never heard of Placebo. I’ll have to check them out. :)
ween always gets me out of a creative block. check them out and you’ll see what i mean.
Throwdown and As I Lay Dying work for me. Gets the blood flowing.
@ nnes – Wow! Now that’s what I call a list! Thanks for that. So much to check out…
Thanks for all the great responses and links. It’s inspiring seeing so many people sharing to spark that creative vibe!
What can I say, music is my life!
Wow. So much new stuff to check out. When will I find the time? I’m definitely into music while I work. During late night creative sessions on the computer, I tend to favor electronic music mostly. I can’t think of how to compile all of it into a list right now, but I really wanted to mention an album that I just bought less than an hour ago on iTunes that I’m finding amazing for creative sparks: Studio’s “Yearbook 2″ (it may be listed as “Various Artists” but all of the tracks are re-mixes or re-versions by the electronic band Studio). I don’t know much about the band, but the album was recommended to me, and I’m absolutely loving it. Thought I’d pass that on. Thanks for the inspiration!
That sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll have to check it out.
The one and only ……………METALLICA…………………….
great blog entry, music is always a great tool for almost any occasion. I would have to agree with an earlier twitter posting of Dave Matthews band. They are the most genuinely talented band I have ever seen or heard live. They write all of their own music and can play their instruments. How many bands can you actually say that about these days?
Well, the ones that you can, I also enjoy.
I think the instrumentals are a vital portion of the entire musical experience.