What do you listen to when painting figures or building models? I tend to switch between either a new-age style music genre or audio books.
As I tend to build models around medieval town, ghost town or ancient ruins, I find this the right mood music for this work comes from artists like Clannad or Enya and film sound tracks like Lord of the Rings. The Clannad collection grew out of the soundtrack to the TV series Robin of Sherwood.
With that playing I’m easily transported back to the period of the tv series.
The stone circle was built to the Clannad albums Legend and Magical Ring.
Otherwise it’s the Doctor Who audio collection, and how that catalogue has grown. You can get soundtrack recordings from missing classic tv stories, radio episodes, and audio book readings of unabridged novelizations from the classic series and new readings associated with the new series all from BBC Audio, or Audio GO as they have now rebranded themselves.
As well as the BBC releases there is a huge catalogue of audio drama for Doctor Who from the company Big Finish. These star original TV Doctors Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann and soon Tom Baker will be joining their collection. They feature new and old companions and enemies, and really bring to life the classic series.
The good news for Doctor Who fans who might have missed some of the earlier titles in the Big Finish range is that they have just started their June sale – where bargains galore can be found. If you like sci-fi radio drama and not given one a try before now would be a good opportunity to give them a try. It’s not just Doctor Who they release, go on take a look you know you want to.
There's over 150 Dr Who titles as well as spin offs to choose from. I've picked 6 here from the earliest releases.
01 The Sirens of Time by Nicholas Briggs, staring Peter Davison, Colin Baker & Sylvester McCoy
20 Loups-Garoux by Marc Platt staring Peter Davison
22 Bloodtide by Jonathan Morris staring Colin Baker
29 The Chimes of Midnight by Robert Shearman staring Paul McGann
34 Spare Parts by Marc Platt staring Peter Davison
36 The Rapture by Joseph Lidster staring Sylvester McCoy
Ok, I’ll come clean at this point, before I start recommending a few more of the titles, John Dorney, actor and writer, who has performed in several and also written for their Doctor Who and Sapphire and Steel series is also a member of the D&D group of which both BigLee , and myself are members. So I am slightly biased on some.
Here's my pick of 4 titles for JD. Dr Who the Lost Stories - The First Doctor Box Set where he plays Alexander the Great
Three titles written by John Dorney
Companion Chronicles - Echoes of Grey performed by Wendy Padbury
Companion Chronicles - Solitaire performed by India Fisher
Sapphire & Steel - Remember Me staring David Warner and Susannah Harker.
And, if anyone can recommend any other artists who they listen to whilst being creative, please leave a comment at the end.
I usually Twitter what I'm listening to when working on models, if you want to know what they are then follow me on Twitter (@djkettlety).
My choice would be 50's Rock'n'Roll, but like you I have listened to lots of book tapes mainly Chris Ryan or any other historical novels, but as I do most of my painting at work, its usually the TV, trouble is sometimes you might get to an interesting bit in a film and unconsciously I start to watch it, only to find the paint has dried on the brush. Doh!
ReplyDeleteI tend to listen to something of the genre I'm painting or modelling. Big fan of Enya and Clannad too - give Capercaillie a try if you haven't, relatively similar. Gaming podcasts work for me too.
ReplyDeleteTend to have the TV on when I paint, like Ray I get a lot of paint drying on the brush.
ReplyDeleteCheers guys, like you say, I find the TV too distracting plus during the summer months I like to work on the bench in the garden. That's why I've switched to audio books and radio drama. I can still follow the plot and keep my eyes on the models.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll certainly be looking Capercaillie up.
I keep the heavier music for the workouts.
Great blog post. I am really chuffed that I'm not the only one listening to Clannad and Capercaillie while painting! I also like a lot of the "chill-out"/ trance stuff which was around in the mid 90s - Cafe del Mar, Robert Miles, that sort of thing. Relaxing, but with a good rythmn. Otherwise, a lot of podcasts - mainly about wargaming, roleplaying and films. If you like D&D, try having a look at Roleplaying Public Radio (RPPR) - they do some really good shows and actual plays.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post mate. I must get my hands on some of Johns Dr Who work. Time to break out the credit card I think!
ReplyDeleteI listen to a lot of AC/DC when I'm painting although I also have a wide selection of Movie Soundtracks like LoTR, 300, Blade Runner etc. But you can't beat the music of Basil Poledouris on the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack. Best fantasy music ever IMHO.
@BigLee - You so need to listen to Echoes of Grey.
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