Music has always been an integral part of my life, from the top 40 radio of my childhood to the more subtle tastes of my adulthood. I often live my life in a soundtrack frame of mind. When I began to write my novel, BUFFALO GALS, music played constantly as I wrote. It coaxed words from some deep, dark place, set the mood and just kept me company. Funnily enough, as I wrote, I imagined the story in movie terms, complete with soundtrack to support the story and feelings I was trying to capture.
The songs I’ve chosen are about love, loss and uncertainty. Some are catchy, the melody fun and playful. Others are more haunting and thoughtful. For me, they capture the journey of Marshall Sullivan, who stands on the precipice of adulthood, faced with the uncertainties and promise that a world post-college graduation holds. The collection of songs captures the essence of her struggles with love, friends and work as she tries to determine what her future holds.
Consider this the Marshall Sullivan Mix Tape:
Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine
Mad World by Michael Andrews
First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
Catch My Disease by Ben Lee
Fast As I Can by Great Big Sea
Your Arms Around Me by Jens Lekman
Lifetime Piling Up by Talking Heads
When Your Mind’s Made Up by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Horchata by Vampire Weekend
Light & Day/Reach for the Sun by The Polyphonic Spree
For more about Buffalo Gals, check out my website www.amyjstrychasz.com
AUTHORS! Write a Soundtrack Sunday piece for your book, or even short story, and email it to Spinetingler with ‘Soundtrack Sunday’ in the subject line. Include embedded videos or links, with your article written for html upload, and be featured at Spinetingler Magazine.
