So earlier this week, I was hanging out at the local coffee shop, re-reading The Wise Man’s Fear for roughly the billionth time. Tightening and tweaking. Seeing what I can trim. Checking all the interconnecting plot threads like a spider with OCD going over its web.
I tend to hide in the back of the coffee shop when I’m doing this. A little bit of ambient noise is nice. It’s one of the main reasons I go to the coffee shop for this sort of work, actually.
You see, I have two problems when I’m revising. First, when I get into a book, I’m really into it. You can pretty much set me on fire and I wouldn’t notice.
Second, I’m working really hard to make this book really captivating.
Both these things work against me when I’m doing revisions. If I get pulled into the story, I enjoy myself, but don’t get any editing done. The sound of conversation and the occasional pretty girl walking by helps keep me from falling into my reading trance. Hence the coffee shop.
But too much bustle can be too much distracting. It’s a fine balance. On the days when I don’t need much distraction, or I’m just caffeineing up, I sit in the back room. They use it for shows some nights, but most days it’s just empty.
Okay. Enough background? I think so.
So I’m working on the book and some people come into the back room and start to set up their equipment. I look up and realize it’s almost 7:00. I’ve been editing for about 6 hours and lost track of time.
I get rid of my dishes and start to tidy up my table, thinking I’ll go somewhere else to edit. Maybe grab some dinner. But then the band does a little bit of a sound check…
At first I listen just to be polite. (I am from the midwest, after all.) But then I get pulled in. The singer has a voice like honey on warm bread. And the music is my favorite sort: Strong vocals, good lyrics. Some covers, but but a lot of the songs were original. Original and good.
They kept me there for the whole set despite the fact that I was hungry and I knew I should be editing. Still, I didn’t feel too bad. I do write about musicians, after all. I should probably occasionally watch people, y’know, make some music.
They had a pretty good patter too. They talked about music. About their lyrics. They told a few little stories, including how there was one song in particular they would start playing whenever they were out busking and saw a kid. Something about that particular tune always tended to draw the children over to them…
Afterwards I wandered up to the stage and reassured them with my standard line, “Hello, I’m not a hobo about to ask you for spare change. I’m actually a writer, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?”
They were delightfully tolerant of me, and answered a couple of questions. The drummer and guitarist both let me look at their hands to see what sort of callouses they had.
Then I asked my big question: “That song you played. The one you used to draw the kids over while you were busking…”
They said they knew what song I was talking about: “Strong Enough to Catch My Fall.”
“I don’t suppose you have a recording of that?” I said.
They didn’t.
I said I’d love to see the lyrics sometime, but I didn’t push the point. The reason is, when I heard the song. I thought, “This is Denna’s Song.”
But I couldn’t just *say* that. Walking up to a band and saying, “one of my characters would totally sing that song!” has to be about the geekiest things it’s possible for a writer to do. I can’t say why, but to me it feels as geeky as walking up to a stranger at a bar and telling them about the time your favorite D&D character killed this troll this one time…
So I tried to play it cool rather than risk being that overenthusiastic guy. But before I left, I asked them if they’d like copies of my book. I’d listened to their show, they could read by book. Fair’s fair, after all…
A couple days later, they were nice enough to drop me an e-mail with the lyrics to the song. I read the lyrics, and thought, “Yeah. That pretty much hits the nail right on the head.”
When I e-mailed them back, I told them if they ever did record a version of the song, I’d love to put it up on my webpage.
The very next day, (today, in fact) they sent me this link.
I was surprised. I’d been thinking that to record a song you need a studio and one of those big boards with all sorts of knobs. And you need a guy wearing headphones to fiddle with those knobs while saying, “Let’s try those three measures again. But this time with more tremulentatso!”
Or something. I can’t remember any real music terms right now. It’s late.
The point is that I’m a little ashamed of myself. I immediately thought of recording music as this long, arcane, artificial process.
They thought: “He wants a recording? Find something that records and point it at us and we’ll make some music.”
And then they made some music. They didn’t piece together a song out of 20 different takes. There’s no pitch-tuner or mixboard here. You know why? Because these folks are real musicians. Making music is what they do.
So y’all should really go check it out. They recorded it specifically so I could share it with you, and it would be a shame if you didn’t take advantage of that.
Did I mention that it’s the Hillary Reynolds Band? It’s the Hillary Reynolds Band.
If you want to hear more of their stuff you can head over onto their myspace.
They’ve got a few shows listed there too. So some of you might be able to catch them live if you’re in the right part of the country.
That’s all for now, folks. Enjoy the music.
pat
91 Comments
Man. Now I’ve got the tune stuck in my head….
I may have made a modification or three to your wikipedia page. I hope it’s ok.
Haha This song really makes you addicted to it! It’s really amazing! I love it.
oh yeah by the way, do you know how I can get ahold of some of the “Hillary Reynolds Band”‘s music?? Because I really enjoy her voice and style of music.
Hey Pat,
Since you mentioned music that might possibly fit the characters and the story, have you ever heard of “The Decemberists” ? They have a unique sound (and like you they know how to tell a great story) When i heard “A Mariner’s Revenge Song” by them i immediatly thought it would be the sort of song the Edema Ruh would have enjoyed singing. You should check them out sometime! Thanks for the great storytelling
good call, love the Decemberists
That was lovely.
Man, that was pretty amazing, and definitely similar in a too close for comfort way. Plus that girl was even a little how I (maybe not you of course) pictured Denna.
You’ve mentioned more acoustic bands like that before, any other good one’s you’d recommend for someone interested in broadening their musical horizon?
She pretty much murdered that flower.
I’m picturing Denna singing, Kvothe on the guitar and Bast with a Bongo drum. It’s a fun picture.
Right, that picture is now burned inside my brain, and is going to make me smile all day long. Thanks, johnfredmay.
Excellent – now I’m off to watch it again with that image in mind!
this reeeally gave me some goosebumps..
also it`s pretty nice from them to record that just for you and your fans (wuahaha including me of course)
baaaam.. melody stuck in my head as well.. :D
this sure would be a very fitting song for denna.
Hmm, now, this would be a Sonja in Austrailia, would it?
sonja in munich, germany it would be^^ but yeaaah pretty close
Ah, Munich…fried turkey, beer, and women…I need more money.
Oh, it is just that my brother who lives out in Oz has a girlfriend called Sonja, who is also big fan of NOTW. I know there might be a lot of people with name Sonja but I was just checking; it seemed coincidental. She is also German, of course.
And, um, to go with the actual topic of the blog post, it is indeed a beautiful song, and I too can imagine Denna singing it!
I do believe this Sonja I am talking about doesn’t eat turkey, or women; she is a vegetarian. But, I think she too could be in need of some money!
Veg-e what now? Is that like someone who believes all vegetables were created equally?
Whaaaaa??
as a veg-e you’d be pretty lost here, because you’d miss out on a lot of reaaaally good food.
Beer, yes definitely. Women, oooooh yes, really pretty.
Am i broke? YEEES! as always.
But we should get back to the topic :D
I’ve listened to the song 10 times by now and shared it with my friends.
And i go to cofee shops for working as well. the atmosphere is very different and you get a little outside your hidy-hole for a few hours..
She does have a damn pretty voice.
Also that was nice of them, though of course they want as much exposure as possible…win win!
Wow, that’s perfect for Denna. What are the odds? Those guys are really something. I wish my hometown had a local music scene to speak of.
Very cool. A solid combo; good songwriting; /and/ the vocalist is cute! What more, indeed, could we ask for.
Seriously, though. I think at this point of the story, most guys would probably hate Denna because she embodies everything you could hate about girls and the way they act.
It’s a pretty nice song, and she sings pretty good. I think they should probably change the music they play in the verse. It’s okay, but it could be better.
I don’t see that at all man. And I’ve hated women (In fictional medium anyway) but I don’t see that at all. She’s just living her life as best she sees it. She obviously had a hard few years, or more; and I hope we get some more info on that, so she’s just grabbing all she can while she can.
To a point. She’s just being her, from what we see in the story.
You can’t blame a lion for ripping out the innards of a little gazelle, but you don’t have to like it.
I don’t think most guys would hate independence, which seems to me to be one of her more notable characteristics. Nor even elusiveness. But I’m a woman, so not really the expert opinion. Now I’m curious: what qualities does Denna have that you think would be unattractive?
Well other than the fact that she’s (remember, she’s fictitious) beautiful, interesting, and mysterious, which sort of just adds to the heartache that Mr. Kvothe must be feeling,
she’s there one moment and gone the next.
She sends out these mixed signals, and then he’s left wondering where they stand.
She’s got “so much” going on and is “too busy” for our hero.
He gets into this crazy episode where they’re so close, and he thinks he sees through her cool facade and into her heart, and then once it’s all over and done with, she’s back to being distant and it’s like nothing special ever happened between them. End ranting here.
I know it’s all just a story, but hell of a way to bring out all the angst and love-sickness of teenage memories Mr. Rothfuss.
Well, I can see how you would see all those things about her, Savoy. But I talked to Kvothe, and here’s what he had to say about the matter.
“I don’t harbor any resentment towards Denna. She will always be the one who got away, who stole my heart from afar. Though I loved her like no other, at the time of my life where we were close together, I had not the means or capability to provide to her what she needed.
She had said to me she was tired of having half a loaf or no loaf at all. Yes, I loved her, and yes I was spurned by constantly failing to find her, but I was hanging on by a thread at the University. To she was, and will always be a friend, because though she had suitors a plenty, her friends could barely be counted on one hand.”
So, you can see here, that although you may have those hard feelings toward her, Kvothe always knew deep down where they stood, and although he hoped they could become more, he placed a higher value on merely having her friendship which no one, even you, could lay claim to.
Signed,
Wilem
Pat tell me you know someone who could try to record them. I love it and would like to carry it with me when driving. Oh and if you like ren music try Musical Blades its great.
That was a fun way to start my day thanks Pat. Are you planning any East Coast stops?
Wow, I totally see what you mean! This is Denna through and through for me. I even have a cheesy montage of scenes from NotW going through my head with it….awesome stuff!
I like that, thanks for posting this Pat! :)
Not sure if anyone is interested in this but a song that always makes me think of Denna is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thICTTOrn5o (it’s a Christy Moore cover)
It’s sort of the other side of the story. ;-) And since you probably don’t know this fantastic folk band outside of Europe (nor mostly inside as well ^^) I strongly encourage you to check them out! (I’m not getting paid or otherwise rewarded for posting this link, just to be clear)
Pat & Nina,
Thank you so much for sharing. Both of these are definitely fun.
-Alexis
My god, stick a ‘see you jimmy hat’ on their heids and they’ll have all the stereotypes covered! :-) They seem good enough at what they do though.
If you like that kind of thing then I highly recommend Julie Fowlisl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1I2nCAaodI
Durachdan,
Toby
As my husband is a professional recording engineer (CBS late night tv), I feel must loyally defend those geeks with headphones who love fiddling with large boards of buttons, lights, knobs, switches and faders (several of which reside in my basement, with related recording paraphernalia).
Having seen the recording process a gazillion times, I have to say that while modern recording can make you sound better than you are, it can’t make a horrible band sound good (the best you can get without talent is britney-spears-level stuff… which isn’t good).
It can, however, make a good band sound amazing. And it’s always a shame to hear a really talented bunch of folks stuck with a substandard recording.
My boyfriend does some sound engineering as well, and he’s touchy about sound quality of stuff. I know exactly what you mean.
However, I still think it’s pretty commendable that they were pretty good quality without having to work too hard to make it sound better.
Not to worry about the quality of the impromptu recording. These musicians are upperclassmen at Berklee College of Music in Boston (www.berklee.edu) and have available to them the state of the art studios where the likes of Sony et.al. recruit modern music talent. As a producer of documentaries I appreciate a well equipped studio and also the ability to get a great sequence like this one in one shot. Hillary’s MySPace is cited in the blog, and the drummer, Jeff (our beloved son) has a MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/jeffhalemusic (note there are several Jeff Hales on MySpace). …and Hillary is sweet as honey on warm bread too.
Nice song. The lead has a wonderful voice which certainly doesn’t hurt.
Thanks Pat! That was very enjoyable. I understand now why you got captivated listening to them.
First: That lady can sing!!
Second: Really does fit denna nicely.
Third: thank you, the people who wrote (and played) and you pat, totally made my morning. was pretty much a drag til now. song has me in a good mood.
As much as the words fit denna, and that beautiful voice!!, i couldn’t help but picture NOTW in a disney animated feature singing a broadway style in the next book for this scene lol. sorry, i’m a disney dork.
But i’m surprised that no one asked yet though, but pat, are you going to use the lyrics in the book? Is that something an author can do? I’m sure they’d let you if you asked. (assuming you’d want to)
Oh, also. I get what your saying about having to fight reading against editing. I’ve been working on my second revision, some pages I can tear through with a red pen, but I’ll catch myself leaning back and only reading. Then I have to smack my hand and remind myself what I’m doing.
Maybe a coffee shop would help…
“If I get pulled into the story, I enjoy myself, but don’t get any editing done.”
This happens to me every single time I decide to go through your book and count words in all the dialogue. The story is so much fun, I’ll never figure out your riddles.
That was very nice, great tune, Thanks Pat. If they turn famous they’ll owe you one I think…
I’m going to regret my plugging of bands but since we’re all in a folk music mood, you really must check out Mumford & Sons’ music. Its fantastic. Winter Winds and Little Lion Man especially. :)
I’ve been hooked on Mumford & Sons for the past few months, ever since NPR did a special on them. I love every song off their album, in particular “White Blank Page” and “Little Lion Man.”
I’m always on the look out for new bands to listen to, and thanks to Pat’s post, that lead to your post, I think I found a new band I can listen to =)
Man, I guess reading the book once is not enough. I checked it out from the Library and read it in a weekend I think. I cannot remember much about Denna at all. I guess it’s time to buy it and read it again… love your blog though!! Have been reading so many of your suggestions.
That was awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Loved it.
I woke up to my boyfriend watching that video this morning, and it was incredibly pleasant. Then I actually got to watch it myself :)
She is pretty cute, too. It’s like a bonus!
I really enjoyed this post. It was fun, informative, and provided us with a cool something to take away. Terribly catchy tune. Great stuff all around.
That was great! Thanks for posting it.
That’s lovely. I see what you mean about her voice, and the lyrics do seem to fit Denna. So sweet of them to record the song for you!
Curse you workblock!
*farts in IT’s general direction*
First off, great song. I feel, as an audiophile, I need to defend the shiny buttons, twisty knobs, and clicky switches. The reason is, it helps capture MORE of the sound. Live music is awesome because you can hear it all, as it comes from the instruments. Good recording equipment helps it be reproduced most accurately, with more depth, where you can feel it. It’s always nice to be able to hear the whiff of the drumstick before it strikes, fingers sliding on strings, the pluck of a finger, and the intake of a breath in a recording.
Jup… I think the song is pretty much… right on the spot.
I have that too with songs and when I’m writing. (Yes I write to but there is only short story somewhere on the net from me but it’s in dutch.)
When I have this one song and when my story (one I have been working on for three years now) now back to that one song. When I was writing and sudenly put it on on youtube I just froze and even almost cried cause it pretty much stood for everything that happens in one chapter.
Hi: I’m Spanish. Could any of you put here the lyrics?. I can’t understand them very well. Thank you.
I second the request for written lyrics, thanks!
Don’t try to chain me, I’m not one to be caged.
Don’t try to tame me, ’cause I will (Can’t make the word out.)
I’m not gonna change who I am, so I think it’s best if you just go, go, go.
So keep me in my misery of not loving you at all, strong enough to catch my fall.
You pull me closer, I’ll just push you away.
If you tell me to go I’ll probably want you to stay, stay, stay.
So keep me in my misery of not loving you at all, strong enough to catch my fall. Strong enough to catch my fall.
I’m strong enough, I’m strong enough, I’m strong enough.
So keep me in my misery, not loving you at all. Strong enough to catch my fall, strong enough to catch my fall, strong enough to catch my fall.
I think that’s it. I could be wrong on a couple words, but I hope that helps some.
Thank you very much!. It’s enough for me.
Thanks for posting this; I enjoyed it and it’s a great little writing story, too.
Wow, song of Denna alright. And how much weirder is that she even kind of looks like I picture Denna.
SONG=GOOD
Pat,
Reeading this brought out two main responses:
1) Yeah they are a great. With the right hook they could end up on VH1 in those rare moments when they consider playing something other than the BSDM-pop-retrofunk-punk-grundge-lollipop kids they usually feature. Glad you let your readers in on these kid’s music.
2) Dude! We pay money to read your book. We don’t pay money to read everyone’s books. We harass antagonize and otherwise do everything we can to get the chance to pay money for your next book. Some of us are hoping for the opportunity to similarly harass you about a third and fourth. You turned on a whole new audience for these kids AND gave them free copies of your book. All you got was a free set that you shared with all the other people at the Coffee Bean, Cici’s or Starbuck’s where you hide in order to work. Modesty’s one thing but buck up man.
Giving away your books is a favor not an imposition.
Okay now I fade back into lurkerdom.
PS Your baby is cute and provided an interesting perspective on the scale of a printout in fixed point pica.
Pat.
First point: the part where you talk about sitting and reading with pretty girls walking by to distract you – instant flashback to the Bast/Kvothe/Celum Tinture conversation at the start of the book. (Having read it three times, I remember minute details.)
Second point: love the band. That song is pretty much tailor-made for Denna, isn’t it? And the girl singing has a really pretty voice.
Third point: I am so going to draw a picture of Denna singing, Kvothe on the guitar and Bast on the bongos. If it’s any good I’ll send a link.
Great post.
Senkura
I really like this music; I’m listening to it on the MySpace page right now.
As I was Googling, trying (unsuccessfully) to find a place to download some of the songs, I came across this site: http://hillaryreynolds.com/live/. Under “Downloads” is a scholarship request letter she wrote, that tells her story. It’s very touching. According to her MySpace, proceeds from the CD she’s releasing are going to a cancer charity; the letter explains why that’s so important to her.
I’m glad you wrote this post–from what I can tell, you’re promoting someone who is not only a beautiful musician, but also a wonderful person.
That’s a good link.
My toddler definitely liked this song. He was bobbing his head in time and clapping.
Have to agree with those that don’t like Denna, at least as the story goes so far. Fela’s way, way ahead at this point.
Pretty sure my day was scary as hell, until that song. Made me think “hey, this too shall pass” Thank you for the motivation and support Guys-who-make-great-tunes! And thanks pat, once again for your awesomeness
That was really quite cool. I thought the petal plucking was a nice touch.
I feel like sharing now too, Pat. This girl is apparently from Rock Island IL. I don’t like Grey’s Anatomy(sorry everyone) but caught one of her songs at the end of a rerun. It inspired the shit out of me, so, here ya go. Maybe you heard it too, but just in case.
the song was “Everywhere I Go”.
http://www.myspace.com/lissiemusic
I played “Strong Enough to Catch My Fall” in the same room with my 6 month old, and she giggled and laughed through the whole thing–she *loves* that song!
Love this song… I need to own their music!
It’s kinda creepy that she looks a lot like how I imagined Denna looking.
Honestly I was a bit worried at first that the music would be bad, because around here the bands that play in our local coffee house tend to suck horribly.
Thank you Pat for sharing this Awesomeness with us minions!
I’m like 99% sure that by “the local coffee shop” you mean Emy J’s right? I love that place! And as much as I loved it before, it got like 45% cooler knowing you hang out there. Someday it’s going to be a nerd pilgrimage site like that coffeeshop in Edinburgh where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter.
It’s upbeat; I don’t know why this surprises me, when you said, more than once, it was Denna’s song.
Also, ask them to use a tripod next time. :P
(… I hate noticing these things. S’pose this is what studying film will do to you. :/)
Well, it’s really nice, but not my kind of music; but I guess if y’all enjoy it so much, maybe it would be a cool idea to record the song, press it on one of those mini CD thingies (the cute small ones), and put it into the hardcover edition of “The Wise Man’s Fear” – that is, of course, if everybody involved agrees. Just an idea.
Hey Pat, you never said what coffee beverage you drink. Some of us will judge you harshly, but I strongly hope you don’t support the nasty, vile chains that destroy the priceless effulgent drink of coffee.
I’m Tall, Dark, and Handsome i.e. 2oz espresso in coffee. Any day with one of those is a whirlwind of caffeine euphoria :)
Greetings Pat.
I’ve been really busy recently, so I’ve not had much time to sling in a wee comment on my favourite writers blog. But, as Joe Abercrombie’s not got much on, I thought I’d check out what you’ve been up to!
Only kidding.
Anyway, I’m glad I tuned in. Having just got back from the pub, and although I’m feeling ever so slightly pissed on Glayva and Moscow mules, I was very impressed by Miss Reynolds and her handsome band.
Thinking that might be my usual drunk reaction to anything melodic, I proceeded to check out your link to her myspace, and I was completely blown away by her song, ‘Something’s missing’. That’s a beautiful song. Drunken tears welled up in my 30 something eyes, and I swear I felt angels rubbing my feet. She’s certainly got the voice, the lyrics, and the milky legs to make it. So here’s wishing her and the band all the best.
Aw ra best to oot and the Mrs too.
Marky
Very cool.
When you start wanting to cast for the movie, check out this guy:
http://www.patrickpageonline.com
I’ve seen him in NYC, DC, San Diego, Utah… we literally fly across the country to see him perform. We saw him in his award winning performance of Iago in Washington DC and Othello will never be the same.I could definitely see him as a member of the Chandrian or one of the masters.
Just a thought… you won’t be disappointed.
Again, very cool link; thanks for sharing.
Wow. That was perfect. It makes me want to read NotW again, and play that song when Denna enters. Sadly, both copies I have are elsewhere. Yeah…maybe it’s time to get an e-copy…and a kindle…
Another great post, Mr. R. And the comment were good, too!
comments*
I listened to their MySpace and I’m hoping that if and when you find some people who are going to do an awesome job on a movie that these guys will be playing at the Eolian. I can also imagine hearing a few of those songs at the end of a movie, they seem like nice pieces of music to play during the credits of an epic fantasy movie (i.e. hint hint it’s totally what should play at the end of any NOTW film.)
And whoever suggested the supergroup with Bast on bongos; nice!
Lyrically this song works, even if it is a little…well, on the nose. Musically I can’t think of something less NOTW or remotely connected to Kvothe’s world. I’m glad you enjoyed this band Pat, but I have to say this is one of 9 zillion bands exactly like them clogging open mic nights in coffee houses around the world. I think if this were done without the backing band I could see and feel the connection, but the generic jam band guitar work and lame bongo/congo drumming just turnes me right off.
Pat,
I have a couple of other musical suggestions for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwFYwfQL9RM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xpkRj99FH0
Don’t be alarmed by the breasts in the first one.
– Nick in PDX
A lot of things tend to alarm me. Breasts, not so much….
I was thinking of some awesome music that kvothe could play, and although a lady plays this, and its a bit celtic, and a violin, its pretty amazing, its what I think of when he plays, except kvothe probably plays something with a story, and maybe a few words… anyway, heres the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wzMfSiOkMQ
I love looking up old folk music and picturing Kvothe singing with his lute. Here is a link to my favorite. I have no idea who sings it but in my mind he is has bright red hair and a beautiful face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-IDnauu91A
The tune does indeed draw children over – my 15 month old daughter heard it playing and walked in from another room to sit on my lap.
Very nice. I’m just slightly biased because of a friend of mine whose singing voice sounds similar to Joan Baez, but clearer and slightly higher. I just wish I could find a video of her singing…
Lovely song, definitely sounds like Denna to me! Another song that reminds me of this book every time I hear it is Gypsy by Susanne Vega. Anyone else think so? Perhaps it’s just the gypsy theme making me think of the Edema Ruh.