I do all my creative writing to music void of lyrics. But email writing, blog writing, even social media writing, is often done while listening to a various assortment of bands. In a multiple part series, I will present some music I find conducive to writing that contains music.
Never Trust a Happy Song by Grouplove 
Sometimes we get into a crush with new bands we find, and I fell pretty hard on Grouplove. The track “Tongue Tied” had me and I quickly discovered the rest of their album to be as equally infectious and charming. The writing of their music is smartly and creatively constructed, and singer Christian Zucconi’s vocals remind me so much of my youth as a musician, playing with guys in their rooms in their parents house as they sing to the strum of my guitar. There’s a homegrown-feeling to his singing, and it just feels local to me. This album is great for all types of writing, both creative and non. It will certainly serve those of you looking for great tunes while at work. In many of the tracks you just want to jump on your bed swinging your head about with your imagined long-grown indie-kid hair, singing.
Listen:
Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Tom Waits is, in my opinion, one of the most versatile and interesting musicians/writers/composers alive today. Rain Dogs is considered one of his greatest albums, due to its unique instrumentation and song styles. It’s part circus, part dingy urban streets, part madman, part heartbreak, part world music, part New Orleans, and all story-telling. It’s truly a kaleidoscope, and one that makes your writing better due to Waits’ virtuosity with poetic lyrics and unusual instrumentation. Some tracks are playful, some mysterious, and some truly aimed at striking an emotional cord with the listener.
Listen: