Immortal War Blog Tour: Playlists & The Music of Vampirates!

Hello Vampirates fans! Welcome to the sixth stop at Justin Somper's Vampirates: Immortal War blog tour. I'm sure a lot of you have been enjoying the treats from this exciting blog tour so far and there's more fun to come! Today we get a glimpse at Justin's tastes in music as he reveals the music behind Vampirates!

Check it out below!

VAMPIRATES: PLAYLIST

Warning: this is a decidedly eclectic mix!

1. MC Sultan - Der Bauch (Arabesque) – I don’t usually listen to music when I’m actually writing or about to write but this track was my inspiration for the mesmeric music used to annouce Feast Night.

2. Camille O’Sullivan - Whatever Lola Wants (A Little Yearning) – “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets. And, little man, little Lola wants you!” Originally she was going to be called Lady Angelika Lockwood but I though the alliteration of Lady Lola Lockwood sounded better and then the lyrics to this song removed any further uncertainty.

3. Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West - Run This Town – This was chosen by the Nocturnal who won a competition on vampirates.co.uk to select Sidorio’s theme song. Actually, it also connects with my characterisation of the pirates. Warning: some versions of this have explicit lyrics!

4. The Eagles – Desperado (Very Best of) – “Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?... These things that are pleasing you can hurt you somehow.” Every cowboy Vampirate needs a theme tune and this is Johnny’s.

5. Carter Burwell – End Titles (Theme from Miller’s Crossing) – If Lorcan had a theme, it might just be this. It would take him right back to his Celtic routes.

6. The Wannadies – You and Me – This song makes me think of Connor and Grace. As much as circumstances tear them apart, they will always be united.

7. Jack Johnson – A Pirate Looks at Forty – I just really like this song. “Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call. I’ve wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall… you’ve seen it all.” I’d say it was a good anthem for Cheng Li if it wasn’t so mellow! Maybe for Bo Yin then.

8. Norah Jones – Chasing Pirates (The Fall) – Both this song and its accompanying video me think of Jasmine and her often challenging relationships with Jacoby and Connor.

9. Carla Bruni – You Belong to Me (Comme si de rien n’etait) – Bruni’s fragile voice and the romantic lyrics makes me think this is the kind of song Darcy might have sung aboard the Titania before its fateful crash. With its theme of exploring the world, this might also be a fitting song for Grace and Lorcan too.

10. Coldplay – Viva la Vida – This song has a strong sense of power lost and power won. It was one of those rare pieces of music that I did listen to to get me in the mood for writing. It made me think of both Sidiorio and Stukeley.

11. Sam Sparro – Black & Gold – Lots of oceanic and nocturnal lyrics here and I reckon this could be a great summary of Sid’s feelings for Lola. “If you’re not really here, then I don’t want to be either.”

12. 6 Day Riot – Reinkarnation of Take the time (The Folie a Deux LP) – I love this band and their distinctive sound. I met them at a radio show and have seen them live. This song is nostalgic yet timeless and suffused with yearning. It’s the kind of mood I’ve often tried to capture in the books. Incidentally, I wrote the group into EMPIRE OF NIGHT (they’re the ones massacred by Sid and Lola on their honeymoon!). It was my idea of a tribute!

13. Marianne Faithful - Pirate Jenny (20th Century Blues) – The Nina Simone version is on the Dirty Dolphin jukebox at Vampirates fansite www.tempesttwins.co.uk, which reminded me that this song was a definite inspiration for the books and, in particular, for Ma Kettle – the character and the tavern. Though it’s more likely it would be Sugar Pie who would sing this song than Ma! Warning: explicit lyrics in Marianne’s version!

14. Neil Diamond – Captain of a Shipwreck – A gem of a song (no pun intended!) from Neil Diamond. His voice as well as the lyrics make me think of Molucco’s awkward relationship with Connor.

15. Nina Simone – Here Comes the Sun (Soho Hotel) – a beautiful song with rather sinister implications for a number of my characters, especially in IMMORTAL WAR. If VAMPS ever does become a movie, this song might be a cool choice for the closing credits.

BONUS TRACKS

16. Jeff Buckley – Grace (Mojo Pin). A small but nonetheless heartfelt tribute to my infinitely accomplished heroine.

17. Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra – Snakecharmer (The Hours Between Night and Day) – for Scrimshaw. Picture the scene…. Molucco’s cabin. Two old comrades. A plate of honeyed dates. Sheer bliss!

18. Angus & Julia Stone – I’m Not Yours (Down the Way) – a haunting song that makes me think of the complicated relationship between Darcy and Stukeley and in particular their return encounter in IMMORTAL WAR.


You can also check out some of the songs in the playlist below, or click HERE to listen on Spotify!

Special thanks to Justin for sharing with us his very eclectic taste in music indeed! Don't forget to head off to Wondrous Reads tomorrow for the next stop in the Immortal War Blog Tour!