G is for Garbage...and a few others

I've been known to obsess over a musician or two in my life. Perhaps no more so than my infatuation with the haunting voice of Shirley Manson, lead vocalist for the band GARBAGE. 

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. 

Garbage holds a special place in my heart.

My family has a cabin at the beautiful Christina Lake, tucked in the Canadian Rockies - and sadly, a 10-hour drive from my northern Alberta home. Before I got married, inherited an amazing stepdaughter, and became "mom" to three dogs, I used to make this commute several times in one season. 

Typically in my Celica (damn, I miss that car), driving at very high speeds. For one summer, I played nothing but Garbage (literally, not metaphorically) for the entire trip. Every one of their songs sounded magical pumping through the speakers of my amazing stereo system (have I mentioned I MISS that car?), but Push It definitely ranks in my top three Garbage songs.

Sidenote: Lead singer Marilyn was actually one of the muses for my character Jagger Valentine. Jagger's more of an Audioslave fan, but sometimes when I write about her adventures, I listen to Garbage.

Or I listen to GOO GOO DOLLS. In particular, Name, which was featured in the movie City of Angels. 




Great movie - bad ending!

Of course, I'd be remiss in not mentioning GUNS AND ROSES. Yeah, I was a bit of a metal head growing up, though true fans of metal might not classify GnR as anything stronger than heavy rock. Like many of the 80s bands I loved as a high school student, I would have stood in line for concert tickets...for a very long time.





And finally, my current song obsession by the band GOTYE. Yeah, I know it's playing on every radio station (and coming up in an episode of Glee) but it's such an amazing track - hard not to love it! My stepdaughter teases me about having "songs of the moment" - this is mine right now.

Would Garbage, Gotye, or Goo Goo Dolls be on YOUR list? If not, which "G" band would?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn

F is for Forever Young

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way.
                                       ---------

So, that's me in high school, the one with the hoop earrings and Miami Dolphins jacket. Back when I was "young."

Yeah, I know, we can't stay that way unless we've been bitten by a vampire (bitten by Ian Somerhalder aka:Damon is good.)

So why the song FOREVER YOUNG?

I was in the hospital twice during high school. One for breaking my back in a car accident. The other for alcohol poisoning. Both times, THIS song was playing over the intercom. (It was my mother who pointed this out. She ought to remember...)

In a strange coincidence, my stepdaughter's Grade 9 graduation song was also Rod Stewart's Forever Young. Thankfully, she didn't end up in the hospital after her grad party...

Leaving you with a listen...(mom, plug your ears)...



I also loved Firehouse, Finger Eleven, Foo Fighters, and this band...



Now that's taking me back! FLEETWOOD MAC was a household staple when I was a kid. My stepdad introduced me to some sweet music back then - a lot of it has stuck with me. Especially this song. Not to mention, it has a kick-ass video.

Itching to drop an "F" bomb? Tell me your favorite "F" artist or song title.

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

Wait! Before you go!

The April issue of Vine Leaves Literary Journal is now LIVE.  Check it out - it's a stunning compilation of talented literary art from around the world. Yeah, our contributors rock!

(Maybe you want to be one...? Submission deadline for the July issue is June 1, 2012.)

- Dawn

E is for Eminem

I could pretend I'm not a closet EMINEM fan, but that would be a lie. Perhaps the only "rapper" on my list, the guy fascinates and amazes me...enough to profile him on this challenge. 

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. I doubt you'll find Eminem over on her blog.

I can't claim to love all of Eminem's music, but I am inspired by his rise to stardom. 

Like many artists, Marshall Mathers had a dream.  To become a famous musician despite - or maybe in spite of - some heavy duty obstacles. Lots of us have the same dream, or some variation thereof. It's just most of us don't have the determination, dedication, and work ethic to chase it.

I may not love the gratuitous swearing, but a lot of Eminem's lyrics are extremely clever - sometimes offering an unexpected jolt of motivation. Truthfully, whenever I need a pick-me-up, I listen to Lose Yourself - which is actually way more effective than the Rocky theme song. Take a listen:

Enigma? Evanessence? Come on. Spill. Who's your favorite "E" artist?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn

D is for Duran Duran. And David Bowie. Oh! And Def Leppard

I spent a good portion of my youth pining over Rikki Rockett, the drummer for the band Poison (and now burying my head in shame.) Hey, I was young...and he played (plays?) the drums. But I wasn't the only one with a rockstar crush...

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us.  (Oh, and in case you thought I was just about to dish about Jessica's rock star crushes...psyche!)

DURAN DURAN didn't inspire me the same way some of the other musicians in this blogging challenge have, but the band certainly had an impact. Because while I was crushing on Rikki, my childhood best friend, Cristy, was all about Simon Le Bon and Duran Duran.

Hard not to become a fan of the music with songs like this:



Back when MuchMusic and MTV played more music videos than other stuff, the video for this song became one of my favorites - and may have been the original catalyst into my desire to write scripts. Great video, right?

But if we're talking pure inspiration, I've got another "D" artist in mind - DAVID BOWIE.

This picture is from Labyrinth, where David Bowie plays the Goblin King. (Damn, I wish I'd written that movie.)

Labyrinth ranks right up there with The Princess Bride, The Dark Crystal, Willow, and Legend for movies that pretty much defined my youth and allowed me to believe in magic. (Though, I admit to being a bit creeped out by David's crotch-grabbing tights in Labyrinth.)

While Bowie's acting leaves a little to be desired on the big screen, he lacks nothing when it comes to performance excellence in his music. I had the pleasure of enjoying the GLASS SPIDER tour, where I fell in love with songs I didn't even know he sang.

Of course, I'll leave you with a song I have always known he sang, because it comes straight from Labyrinth, Dance Magic. (You remind me of the babe...)

But I can't stop there, because those who knew me would call foul if I didn't mention the other "D" band that had a major impact on my life. DEF LEPPARD. 

While I was pining after Rikki, and Cristy was ga-ga over Simon Le Bon, another important friend in my life would have - and still would - do anything for Joe Elliott. I didn't mind Jennifer's obsession (not only because she supported mine) because Def Leppard has some amazing tracks. Including this one:



And before anyone calls me on it, yeah, maybe I changed the lyrics to this song a little when I was a kid...

"I'm outta luck, outta love,
Got a photograph, picture of,
Rikki Rockett, you're too much,
You're the only man I wanna touch..."

* cough *

Ok, enough personal humiliation. Who are your favorite musical "D" bands or artists?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn

C is for Cry Little Sister

The movie Lost Boys wasn't just about Kiefer Sutherland to me - though, it may be the first place I fell in love with him. Follow my blog long enough and you'll find numerous references to the original bad boy who stole my heart. But this post isn't about Kiefer.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. 

CRY LITTLE SISTER by Gerard McMann certainly fits the bill. Never heard it? (I'm shocked, no appalled...) Have a listen:

There's something so incredibly haunting about that song, the kind of sound that makes me want to turn out the lights, close my eyes and lose myself in Gerard McMann's world. Gerard may have been a bit of a one-hit wonder, but like the movie it comes from, the song is a classic.

I don't always write to music, but when I do, this track is often on my playlist. Usually at the end of a writing stint, so I can immediately plug in the Lost Boys DVD and dream of penning a movie even half as epic. 

Think fast. What song that starts with "C" has made an impact on your life?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

B is for Bon Jovi, an inspirational muse

How to tie together Muse Avatar Monday with the A-Z blogging challenge? Easy. Just pick Jon BON JOVI, perhaps the only hairband frontman to have aged with such grace.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. Like I said, expect a lot of 80s cheese from me.

Including Bon Jovi.

Though, a case could be made for anti-cheese. Sure they swirled their hair around and once looked like this:

But hey, a lot of guys wore make up back then. 

Considered the softer of the rockers, Bon Jovi had their biggest success with Slippery When Wet, pumping out hit after hit including Living on a Prayer, Bad Medicine, Wanted Dead or Alive, and You Give Love a Bad Name.

Now these are songs that are still on my iPod. I've only been to two Bon Jovi concerts, not because I wouldn't shell out the cash, but because their concerts sell out in record time! Somehow, these New Jersey rockers have managed to stay relevant by producing new music that appeals to a new crowd, and appeases a loyal fan base - including millions of women everywhere.

Of course, it's not hard to understand why when the lead singer now looks like this:

For all of their inspiration - from their muse-worthy front man to a musical work ethic that continues to rock on - Bon Jovi has definitely made an impact on me. 

This week, I lean on Jon and this song (an oldie but a goodie) for writerly inspiration:

So dish, who's your musical "B" man/woman?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn

The Book in My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

A is for Aerosmith

Long before he ever made it to prime time television, Stephen Tyler was my idol.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. Without knowing Jessica's list, I can tell you our choices will be vastly different. Expect a lot of 80s cheese from me.

Perhaps more than any other decade, the 80s is imprinted on my memory - high school, first loves, and hairbands.

And then there was AEROSMITH. To this day, I don't have even a fraction of the band's impressive discography on my iPod. I don't even go out of my way to listen to them, though there's a number of songs that take me back to my youth and are still relevant to me today.

But I have been to seven Aerosmith concerts.

Yes, SEVEN.

Back in high school, I went to a lot of concerts. A lot. I've only seen a couple of artists more than once - and next to Aerosmith, nobody else comes close.

So what is it about Aerosmith? Maybe it's an impressive stage show. Or the way Stephen glides across the stage. I have no idea, but I bet when the band announces their 2013 tour dates, I'll be finding a gig close to home.

I like a whole bunch of Aerosmith songs (which I often forget until I hear them again) but I'll leave you with one of my favorites, Dream On.



Of course, I'd be remiss in not mentioning a more recent "A" influence. Much can be learned from the awesomeness that is ADELE. Including the power of song. Singing has helped her crawl from the darkness of a broken relationship, and allowed her the freedom to heal. Her lyrics are brilliant, her voice mesmorizing. And the power of each melody mind-boggling.

Each of Adele's songs evoke emotion, and have affected me in some way. But Set Fire to the Rain is the current track my iPod has on repeat.



So tell me, what "A" musician or song has affected you?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books (and giving away a copy of SPIRITED), and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry