Music has always been one of the key elements of Seven Nights in the Afterlight. This is a story about a motley group of people who don't fit into the rules of human society carving out a home with one another; and music is, in my opinion, one of the biggest connective tissues we have.
To me, music always makes me think of long car rides with my dad to my out of state college, listening to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band or teasing him about his love of the Grateful Dead. Of singing showtunes with my best friend at the top of our lungs in our apartment or impromptu singing with my theater friends in high school. Of all the experiences my sister had at music festivals in her early twenties and the friends she made. Of all of the rabid fans who have pledged their hearts and souls to their favorite artists over time.
Across all different types of people, I've never met anyone who wasn't at least a little passionate about at least one music related topic. They might exist but I imagine they're incredibly rare, or possibly - and I'm loathe to say this as an asexual woman - just haven't found the right music.
So music is deeply woven into the fabric of Seven Nights at the Afterlight, and I thought I would share some of that with you all today. We'll talk about why Afterlight is a music hostel, what kind of music the characters like, and what instruments I can see best representing them.
Afterlight: A "Music Hostel"
Afterlight Popup Music Hostel. The popup part can be explained from the fact that the hostel is constantly, magically moving in location. But what exactly is a "music hostel?"
Well, first of all, it's my solution to wanting to set the story in both a hostel and a music venue. It also makes perfect sense for both of the co-owners: Sam, who has a deep love of music as a sidhe; and Laurel, who spent some of her happiest days at music festivals or following her favorite bands on tour. They wanted to create a home, even if temporary, for their guests, and home just isn't home without music.
The Afterlight has a jam room on the second floor, magically soundproof but full of musical instruments and speakers so that guests can jam together or even just listen to music together. There's also a courtyard with a stage where they host live performances - often with very little notice, depending on who stops through. There are small thematic touches, too: a record player in the hang-out room, lyrics painted on the walls, all from bands or musicians who were part of the community.
What Kind of Music Do the Characters Listen To?
Music is a big part of the lives of everyone in the cast of Seven Nights, but what music do they listen to exactly? And let's go one further: if I had to choose an instrument to represent them, what would it be?
Keep in mind that the instrument may not correlate to their musical taste. The music they listen to is the music that soothes them, energizes them, or otherwise speaks to them. The instrument is how I, as their writer, would choose to communicate their personality with.
Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie likes indie/alternative, but less the folksy variety and more the rock variety. Especially 90s alt rock, like 10,000 Maniacs or Smashing Pumpkins. But she's also not immune to the 00s pop-rock that she grew up with, along the lines of The Hush Sound or Marianas Trench. She was definitely the sort of person who grew up in the country and came to hate country music because of it, though there are probably a few country tracks in her library that she doesn't talk about.
As for what instrument I would choose for her, a good frenetic violin. Something high-strung and relentless, capable of moments of quiet and calm but also capable of annoying her way into situations if she so chooses (which is often).
Laurel
Laurel loooooves the soft rock, blues rock, and California pop of the 1970s. Fleetwood Mac, Tom Waits, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and so on. She also has a soft spot for prog rock and jam bands. Laurel's favorite thing is to see music live. It's just not the same when it's recorded, although the record player in the hang-out room was her idea. For more modern music, she loves the very artsy, dramatic sort of pop, like Florence + the Machine.
For Laurel, I would choose the cello, first of all because it's a beautiful instrument and she's the prettiest to ever pretty. The cello has a gravity to it. It always catches your attention. It has a depth of feeling, but there's a playful side to it, as well.
Sam
Sam misses the sidhe music from home. Mortal music doesn't really compare, but they can't go without music in their life, so they've learned to manage. Sam is always weak for a really good ballad. Something hauntingly beautiful, hopeful, or a little tragic. They love them all. And like Laurel, they prefer live music to anything.
Sam is a piano, no question. For one thing, it's their instrument on the rare occasion that they can play, and they have one in the hostel just in case. It has a soft presence, but a substantial one. You always notice the second it's gone.
Phoenix
Phoenix loves music that hypes him up. He loved the punk movement of the 70s and 80s. He loved the British Invasion. He also loves Top 40 music today, as long as it makes him excited. Give him a beat, something he can dance to, and he's happy.
So, appropriately, Phoenix is drums. He brings the party wherever he goes. He's a beat drop personified.
Eli
Now Eli is the indie folk lover of the bunch. She likes calming music, something gentle that she can listen to while she's driving, working, reading, etc. She's also the one who's likely to pull up a lo-fi playlist, although that's mostly for some white noise. Her music is quiet, but insightful, like her.
If I had to assign an instrument to Eli, it would be the oboe. It's high maintenance and takes a lot of skill and a sense of perfectionism to play it right. There are a lot of rules to it. It's also a very independent instrument and can be difficult to get to know.
The Playlist
Finally, let me share with you all the original playlist for this project! It's so old that the title is a play on the working title (Fake Transcripts for Vampires). A lot of the plot points have changed, so some of the songs are just vibes, but it still never fails to get me in the mood to write this story. Hopefully it will put you in the mood to read it, too.
Don't forget, if you want to support me further as I go on this first serial adventure - and enjoy early access to chapters, bonus content, and more - check out my Ko-fi membership tier! It's just $3 per month, but it really helps me devote more time to this project and helps me to keep going. Thank you! And stay tuned for chapter 1 of Seven Nights at the Afterlight on October 31st!
