The Other Side Playlist

Once again, music drove this story. Songs that made me fall in love with music as a teenager in the late 80s, as well as current songs that inspired my daily life while I was writing the story. This story is very personal to me; it’s heart and soul. So is the music.

“Sleeper 1972” by Manchester Orchestra
“Oats in the Water” by Ben Howard
“Sit Next to Me” by Foster the People
“Us Vs Them” by Spring King
“Overlap” by Catfish and the Bottlemen
“Kamikaze” by Walk the Moon
“Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Someone to You” by Banners
“Particles” by Nothing But Thieves
“My Backwards Walk” by Frightened Rabbit
“Mother” by The Hunna
“The Maze” by Manchester Orchestra
“Next to Me” by Imagine Dragons
“Sorry” by Nothing But Thieves
“11 Minutes” (feat. Travis Barker) by YUNGBLUD & Halsey
“I See You” by Missio
“My Blood” by Twenty One Pilots
“Take on the World” by You Me At Six
“Two High” by Moon Taxi
“How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths
“Problems” by Sex Pistols
“In My Room” by Yaz
“Lips Like Sugar” by Echo and the Bunnymen
“Close To Me” by The Cure
“Under the Milky Way” by The Church
“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin
“With or Without You” by U2
“Strangelove” by Depeche Mode
“She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult
“So Alive” by Love and Rockets
“Only You” by Yaz
“One More Time” by The Cure

Bright Side Playlist

(Potential Spoiler Warning)

I cannot write without music—physically, psychologically, emotionally impossible. The writing process for this book started late 2012 and wrapped up early 2014. These are the songs that I fell in love with for the first time, or the hundredth time, while writing Bright Side. They inspired the overall vibe of the story and its characters, or in some cases they inspired very specific situations or even entire chapters. Kate’s passion for music is my own, though I can’t play an instrument and I’m completely tone deaf when it comes to singing. Like Kate, I LOVE me some strings, especially in unexpected places—they make any song sexy. And I’ve got a HUGE thing for California bands. I’m lucky to say I’ve seen most of these bands perform live (many of them while I was writing this book)—the rest are on my bucket list.

“We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow” by Soko

If Bright Side has a theme song … this is it. It’s like being privy to the internal dialogue that goes on inside Kate’s head. Just Kate talking to Kate. And it’s far from depressing, it’s realistic and encouraging. And the strings … ahh the strings. They’re magical and so, so pretty.

 “400 Lux” by Lorde

This is Kate and Gus. Their friendship. Solid. Laid-back. True. Easy. Comfortable.

“Eula” by Baroness

My husband says this song is Rook. I’m not going to argue with him. When he’s right … he’s right. It is Rook.

“Sleeping Witch” by Royal Thunder

I saw this band play live while I was writing Bright Side. They opened up for Baroness and I’d never heard of them. They. Blew. Me. Away. The lead singer’s voice is a wall of sexy, aggressive, raw power – it’s intimidating. If Shelly had a theme song, this would be it.

“Jump Into the Fog” by The Wombats

The Wombats’ lyrics are smart and clever. This song is no exception. It’s Gus.

“Bug Eyes” by Dredg

Dredg is the most underrated band on the planet. Bug Eyes is one of my favorite songs. They’re also from California, so naturally Kate would love them. Phenomenal live.

“Done With Love” by Teenage Bottlerocket

You’ve gotta love any song that starts with “I got shit to do.” Teenage Bottlerocket is the best punk band around.  I’ve seen them play live many, many times. They never disappoint.

“Waiting All Night” by Rudimental featuring Ella Eyre

I can see Kate, Clayton, and Shelly dancing to this song, because I can’t sit still when I listen to it. I love the energy—it’s happy. Happy is amazing.

“Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

The first time I heard this song I was in the car with my husband and son driving down Church Ranch Road to go to lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I remember it vividly because we all sat in complete silence (which is hard for P. and I) and listened to the entire song. When it was over my husband and I just looked at each other. It was a look of agreement. A look that said I am totally on board with everything that guy just said. I wanted to roll down the window and scream, “Yes! This guy gets it! He gets it!” This song is for Clayton & Morris and Romero & Dan.

“Mutilate Me” by Teenage Bottlerocket

Another of my favorite Bottlerocket songs. This song is for Peter and Evelyn … from Gus … with love.

“Lullaby” by The Cure

I love The Cure … LOVE them. I remember hearing them for the first time when I was in eighth grade and it literally flipped a switch inside me. It was an epiphany. I finally understood what made music so magical and inspirational. It fueled a lifetime love of music.

“Angels” by The xx

The xx is one of my favorite bands and Romy Madley Croft is my favorite female vocalist. I could include every song they’ve ever recorded, but chose Angels because it fit within the context of the story. It’s the ultimate love song. This is how Kate sees Keller. If you have the chance to see The xx live, do it!

“My Song 5” by Haim

This song is Kate. Everything about this song is badass. It’s confident and doesn’t take any shit – just like Kate. This may be one of my favorite songs of all time, I love it that much. Another California band. There aren’t many female guitar players killing it, but Danielle Haim is. She. Kills. Live.

“Sex” by The 1975

I would include every song by The 1975 on this playlist if I could because they’re like children – hard to pick a favorite. I. LOVE. THIS. BAND. Amazing, amazing, amazing live. This song is for Franco.

“Panic Switch” by Silversun Pickups

This song is controlled chaos, which makes it freaking genius. Love everything about Silversun Pickups, but I especially love Nikki Monninger. She is the most badass bass player ever, pretty dresses and all. And … yup … California band.

“Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood

This song is Keller. It’s his heart and all the feelings it holds for Kate. I listened to this CD over and over and over again while writing this book. Yet another California band.

“Nothing Left to Say” by Imagine Dragons

This is the song Gus writes after finding out about Kate. This is the song they record together. I listened to this song no less than two hundred times in the days leading up to writing that chapter. Every time I hear it I can see Gus in my head in the recording studio singing his heart out … and it gives me goosebumps.

“Northern Lights” by Thirty Seconds to Mars

Though I love early screamer Leto (think The Kill), Mars latest album was released while I was writing this book. This song is my favorite on the album. It’s the oddball, and I mean that in the best possible way. And the strings. I’ll say it again … the strings. They’re beautiful. This is the kind of song I think Kate would write (at least in my head). And yeah, you guessed it, California band.

“Pictures of You” by The Cure

Absolutely beautiful song. Breathtaking. Robert Smith is a god.

“Let Her Go” by Passenger

This song belongs to Gus and Keller. I heard this song for the first time as I was working through the final few chapters in my head. I wrote those chapters while listening to this song on repeat … repeat … repeat. It may be the saddest song I’ve ever heard, but I love it.

“Everything to Nothing” by Manchester Orchestra

The title says it all. Manchester Orchestra tops my favorites list in two categories: best lyrics and best live performance. They’re perfect.

“Favor’s Keeper” by Index Case

This song is intense and desperate and passionate. And when it hits the 3:42 point hold on, because for the next three minutes it’s perfection. This song is Gus at the end of Bright Side moving into my next book, Gus.

“And I loved you more.

Then I loved you.”

Best ending to a song ever written.

Gus Playlist

The Weekend-Huglife Remix (Coeur de Pirate) “Wicked Games”
AFI “I Hope You Suffer”
The National “I Need My Girl”
Manchester Orchestra “Cope”
The 1975 “Me”
Sunset Sons “Medicine”
Broods “Killing You”
Brick + Mortar “Bangs”
Royal Blood “Figure It Out”
Coldplay “The Scientist”
Catfish and the Bottlemen “Homesick”
Sunset Sons “Loa”
Buddy Guy “Baby Please Don’t Leave Me”
You Me At Six “Love Me Like You Used To”
Bear Hands “Giants”
Flyleaf “All Around Me”
Balance and Composure “Tiny Raindrops”
Twin Atlantic “Fall Into the Party”
Sunset Sons “On the Road”
Ed Sheeran “Kiss Me”

Franco Playlist

Music will, always and forever, fuel my writing. It inspires me endlessly. Thank you to the following bands for streaming through my earbuds, keeping me company, prompting plot, and evolving characters in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without you and your art.

“Roses” (feat. ROZES) by The Chainsmokers

“Gorgeous” by X Ambassadors

“Heartache” by Zibra

“Let Me Love You” (feat. Justin Bieber) by DJ Snake

“Goodbye Los Angeles” by Future Husbands (I ADORE THIS WOMAN!!!)

“Geronimo” by The Beach

“Honey Whiskey” by Nothing But Thieves

“Little Monster” by Royal Blood

“Bad For You” by The Hunna

“River” by Bishop Briggs

“Need the Sun to Break” by James Bay

“September Song” by Sunset Sons

“Give” by You Me At Six

“Love Backs Down” by Walking On Cars

“Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur

So Much More Playlist

Music always drives the direction of my stories. So Much More was no exception. These talented musicians were my inspiration:
“Caroline” by Kill It Kid
“Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer
“Heartless” by The Fray
“Lies” by Sunset Sons
“Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys
“Unsteady” by X Ambassadors
“The Sickness” by Future Husbands
“Leave It Alone” by Manchester Orchestra
“Low Life” by X Ambassadors (featuring Jamie N. Commons)
“Win Some, Lose Some” by You Me At Six
“Never Ending Circles” by Chrvches
“A Home Without a Heart” by Future Husbands
“Trip Switch” by Nothing But Thieves
“Incomplete” by James Bay
“Brave the Day” by Like Thieves
“Down to the Cellar” by Dredg
“Let It Go” by James Bay
“From Above” by The Beach
“Out of the Blue” by Prides
“Love, Love, Love” by As Tall As Lions

All of It Playlist

I cannot write in silence–music is always playing. These are a few of the songs that inspired me. Enjoy.

(Caution: spoilers)

“Gathering Pebbles” by Dredg

“Wait for me.

I am not very far behind,

So wait for me.

I’m still chasing you.”

In my mind, this song is All of It’s theme song. I LOVE this band! You should check them out.  I’m serious … check them out.

“Sometime Around Midnight” by Airborne Toxic Event

“And so there’s a change… in your emotions.

And all of these memories come rushing like feral waves to your mind.

Of the curl of your bodies like two perfect circles entwined.”

Airborne Toxic Event’s lyrics are a gift. No words wasted. Genius.

“Letters from the Sky” by Civil Twilight

“You and I were made for this.

I was made to taste your kiss.

We were made to never fall away.

Never fall away.”

Great song. Period.

“Fully Alive” by Flyleaf

“My tongue dances behind my lips for you.”

This song rocks! And this line, in particular, makes me remember what it’s like to be seventeen years old.

“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure

“Spinning round that dizzy edge,

I kissed her face and kissed her head.

And dreamed of all the different ways I had to make her glow.”

“Just Like Heaven” is one of the best love songs ever written. I bought Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me on cassette in 1987 and listened to it over and over and over again. I have it on my iPod now and I still listen to it over and over and over again. It never gets old. Timeless. Robert Smith has to be one of the most romantic men on the planet.

“Crush” by Dave Matthews Band

This song … the entire song … every word … is lovely.

“A Beautiful Lie” by Thirty Seconds to Mars

“Try to let go of the truth,

The battles of your youth,

Cause this is just a game.

It’s a beautiful lie.

It’s the perfect denial.”

I saw Thirty Seconds to Mars play live five times while I was writing this book. Yeah, I like them. Like really, really like them. This song is one of my favorites. Best part of this song? Jared Leto screaming the word beautiful. It gives me chills every time I hear it.

“Infinity” by The xx

“Had I seen it in your eyes,

There’d have been no try after try.

Your leaving had no goodbye,

Had I just seen one in your eyes.

I can’t give it up to someone else’s touch,

Because I care too much.

Care too much…

Care too much…”

The xx is perfection. Just. Freaking. Perfect.

“Nobody’s Diary” by Yaz

I first heard Yaz on a mix tape a friend made me. I was in eighth grade. It was 1987. When I heard them? Mind. Blown. Still one of my favorite bands.

“The Royal We” by Silversun Pickups

This song … This band … Awesome! Love them. Everything about them. Especially the bass player. She rocks!

“Words” by Gregory Alan Isakov

Gregory Alan Isakov songs are sad. Like the kind of sad that makes you want to sit around in ratty pajamas, eating ice cream by the carton, crying your eyes out … for no apparent reason. With that being said, he’s phenomenal. And fantastic to listen to when you’re in the middle of writing depressing chapters.

“Like You Said” by Tiger Lou

This song literally aches. I feel it in my bones. Deep in my bones.

“The Thought of Losing You” by Dredg

“The thought of losing you is not an option.”

This is Dimitri’s song …

“Shatter Me With Hope” by HIM

The title of this song? Hell. Yes.

“Get Higher” by Paper Tongues

“The feeling of your arms, they hold me.

The power of your skin, it’s lovely.

You provoke a man to bow down.

And I get on my knees and cry out.

Everything I have is yours now.”

I LOVE THAT …

“Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews Band

“I watch you there by the window and I stare.

You wear nothing but you wear it so well.

Tied up and twisted the way I’d like to be.

For you.

For me.

Come crash into me.”

This … This … IS the honeymoon in Paris.

“Gathering Pebbles” by Dredg

Repeat it with me … this is the theme song.