If I Only Had An iPod...

Welcome to "if I only had an iPod…" an occasional series where visiting authors drop by the blog to test drive my iPod. Sure Apple promotes well-known musicians sharing their playlists, but we’ve got authors—and that’s really why you stopped by, isn’t it?

Here authors get a chance to show off their musical know-how, while the Happy Booker gets a few new tunes to add to her download list. It’s a win-win—well, mostly a win for me, but you can listen in… and when all your friends are raving about some great new book, you’ve got the inside scoop on the author’s favorite playlist—remember, you read it here first!

(Previous iPod visitors include: Dallas Hudgens, Joshilyn Jackson, Quinn Dalton, and Chris Coake).

Today’s special guest DJ is Colleen Curran, author of Whores on the Hill, a book that Kirkus describes as an “arresting first novel.” Colleen, who is practically our neighbor over here, takes a short break from her book tour to share a few songs with us.

A special note to those in the New York area: Colleen will be reading tonight at 7:30 at Housing Works with our old bowling rival, Curtis Sittenfeld, author of a little book called Prep—maybe you’ve heard of it? And on Thursday night, Colleen will be over at the LBC stomping grounds, the uber cool Slipper Room. The book event will be hosted by emcee Murray Hill, featuring burlesque dancers the World Famous Pontani Sisters, and a dramatic reading from Whores on the Hill. Book party festivities take place at 9pm—don’t miss it!

Guest DJ, Colleen Curran

I listen to music when I'm driving. Or when I'm drinking in the backyard. That's pretty much it. I don't listen to music when I'm writing fiction. And when I'm at my day job, if I need to concentrate, I listen to a CD with a purple cover called "Classic Strings."

But I do tend to fall for new songs every season. Songs that I'll play over and over and over again and get so sick of I'll never be able to listen to them again. Songs that will always remind me of that time and place. I just got back from book tour for my novel Whores on the Hill. And these are some of the songs that I've been listening to.

1. "Blue Light" by Bloc Party (Silent Alarm). Sad but happy. Feels like something you'd listen to just before running into somebody sexy at a random party and he's smiling right at you.

2. "No Brakes" by the Bravery (The Bravery). One of my friends says I'm a sucker for liking this band. Screw him though, they bring it.

3. "I Turn My Camera On" by Spoon (Gimme Fiction). Britt Daniel's voicemakes me want to lie down. It's that good.

4. "The Land Beyond" by British Sea Power (Open Season). Dreamy and powerful. Makes you feel fierce.

5."I Only Want You" by the Eagles of Death Metal (Peace Love Death Metal). It's the name, really. You cannot deny their power! Plus, the CD cover has devil horns. Bitchin.

Obviously, I still react to music like a sixteen year old girl. But hey, it works for me.

Comments

[Brad]

"The Land Beyond" is currently my favourite song. British Sea Power exist just to write songs for me.