Suggestions Needed!

[Agamemnon]

So brief update - we're in the final stretch of getting the book completed. I've been neglecting basically all of my other responsibilities (including it seems the freelance work that pays the bills. Hrm...) in favor of a massive push to get the book organized and functional.

If you've never sat down and tried to edit, format, and cross-reference a 300 page tome, it's a unique experience, to say the least. It's impressive when the sheer volume of wordcount in front of you becomes an obstacle to progress.

Henri and I have been back and forth for a solid week in ironing things out, polishing, and so on. It's coming guys. And soon.

So here's what I need from you.

I'm up to a pot and a half of coffee a day, and I need some music to get myself amped. That home stretch is the hardest. Specifically, I'm looking for the kind of music you'd want to play at your table to set the mood.

For me? Right now it's a lot of Wardruna, Faun, Estampie and occasionally Corvus Corax. Stuff that sounds like it could have come from the periods we're playing in.

What would be your 'Bastards playlist? Both stuff you'd use to set the mood at the table, and stuff that more generally gets you amped for the story.

The best suggestions may wind up in the Book's Bibliography under "Recommended Audio."

Help me out!

[Marras]

Good to hear that you are getting there!

Even though the instruments are too modern the feeling is quite good. So I would suggest Dropkick Murphys and Alestorm.

[Arrow Odd]

We tend not to have music 'at the table'.

When I ran a piratical LARP/ murder mystery the prep work [and the Captain's cabin in the game] rang to both volumes of Rogues Gallery - contemporary artists tackle tradition shanties & ballards. I'd reckon that its more C19 songs than true 'pirate era' but the seaman as bastard theme is there.
[The final playlist mixed in some trad-style renditions].

[EDIT]
Just remembered [as ex has the cds]. Pefect for what I have in mind is Dead Can Dance's Aion - as lifted from a more magical and eastern tinged renaissance. Albums either side are worth exploring too.


How about a bit of Hawkwind/Moorcock to get into the zone? Chronicles of the Black Sword was all Elric based. I found the production a little to studio-y for my tastes but the tour was excellent. This is preserved as Live Chronicles .


[If you want 'more faithful late med / early ren' Christopher Wilson's Early Venetian Lute Music and anything by the Dufay Collective would be a good starting point. ]

[EinBein]

For mood I love soundtracks like:

- The three new Batman Movies and the older movie Equilibrium - all with Christian Bale (great action tracks)
- Bioshock (the game) for tense horror mood
- Icewind Dale (the game) has two or three great calm melodies for icy surroundings
- Game of Thrones (the series) some great mood tracks, especially for those who recognize the melodies
- Skyrim (the game) also some good, "harmless" background sounds
- The Banner Saga (the game) for special tastes with a touch of Icelandic vocals and feeling
- Two Steps from Hell and audiomachine (the labels) have many good mood music

I'm personally not a fan of understandable vocals in background music to not distract from the in-game speech, which is why I would not use some of the below (except Estampie and a few Corvus Corax, which is great for the time frame). The above listed suggestions are more Hollywood-like background tracks that are not tailored to a specific setting (except The Banner Saga, which is really very special).

I'm very excited to hear that you are nigh-finished!

[Agamemnon]

Coming from an irish family, I have a natural affinity for the Dropkick Murphy's anyway.

Alestorm is actually on the same Playlist as The Jolly Rogers for my "Pirate Nonsense" list. I haven't heard of Rogues Gallery yet though, so that's a thing I need to find.

I actually think I have DCD- Aion somewhere. Chronicles of the Black Sword is now on my to-procure list.

Music aside, want a glimpse at pure madness?

I've commented before that the sheer scale of this project is intense. If you were ever curious what this kind of thing looks like in production, this is our outline:



I zoomed out as far as I could in freemind, and still had to split it up into three screencaps to capture it.

[hector]

Also, there's the theme tune to Black Sails - who would have thought that a musical instrument nobody has ever heard of (the hurdy-gurdy, or however it's spelt) and out of tune, beaten up old pianos and violins could sound so good?

To be fair, it is Bear McCreary...

[Arrow Odd]

a musical instrument nobody has ever heard of (the hurdy-gurdy, or however it's spelt)

Maybe in your part of the world. See a fair few on the folk scene down here. I've encounted at least half a dozen playing together at a Breton session.

[Siggi]

I would recommend to check out the soundtrack to "The Witcher" videogame (the first one). I just tried to look out for this music online and stumbled upon the download link right here: http://www.fileplanet.com/191951/downlo ... Soundtrack

Here are both albums: oficial soundtrack and the music inspired by the game. The latter I like best: several pieces are somewhat awkward (such as "The Sword of the Wither" by death metal Polish band 'Vader') but most are really beautiful and are inspired by european folk music. Tracks like "Sou-au", "Bring to the Boil" and "The Witcher Theme" are pure chef d'oeuvres in my opinion.

[Daeruin]

I don't usually play music while playing because even as background it tends to add just a little too much noise for my taste. But I've played the soundtracks for Lord of the Rings, Braveheart, and The Last of the Mohicans before. My personal inspiration when I'm working or trying to concentrate are symphonic and progressive metal bands like To-Mera, Means End, Lacuna Coil, We Are the Fallen, Dream Theater, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Zero Hour, Fates Warning, Epica's Classical Conspiracy album, and the like.

[Marras]

This one is just one song and frankly not even close to the era that might fit a game of 'Bastards. Still, it is a fun song and appropriate to this hobby in general (I hope I didn't get directed to that from this forum already, I really don't remember).

Anyway, it is by Mississippi Bones and the song is Dungeon Hustle. You can find it from YouTube.