AW May Musical Blog Chain

Look at that! It’s May already, which means a whole new blog chain with the Absolute Write Water Cooler forums’ gals. Since I am organizing this one, I get to start the chain and as usual, you’ll find the list of all the participants along with a link to their blog at the end of this post.
I proposed to approach this month’s blog chain from a musical standpoint. Essentially, I wanted to know how the character(s) and/or story(ies) of my fellow AWers sound like. This means that this post is going to be a little peculiar in its structure.
I strongly advise that you turn on the speakers (or put on your headphones) and plan a bit of time to undertake this musical journey. I’m giving you direct links to YouTube so you can truly experience my soundscape.
Again, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the Unforseen Dives, you are welcomed to discover it here on my blog. The serial is published 2 times a week (Wednesday and Sunday) and I will end my shameless promoting with a direct link to the beginning of it all. 

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Cassidy
Tartini – The Devil’s Trill Part One, Part Two
For me, Cassidy always was a violin; capable to play the energetic and joyful Irish reels yet, simultaneously unable to ever shed its soft whine. The violin has this inherent emotional weight that is just undeniable. It can lead complex orchestrations through ebbs and flows of feelings though it’s one of the smallest instruments on the stage. It doesn’t bellow like the trumpet. It is far more breakable than the flute. It won’t sparkle with the brasses or crush your cartoon head like a piano. But no one can ignore the violin.
I also always knew that Cassidy is classical music; deep and heavy even through the lighter melodies. She is not epic in nature though, which came as a problem when I had to sum her up with one song.
I chose Tartini’s Devil’s Trill because it’s one of the more technical songs on the violin and Cassidy’s life is anything but simple. It also navigates sad, happy and adrenaline-filled feelings on its path to the final notes. And the title. Those of you who have read the Prologue and the Roman numbered chapters can but understand.

Rebecca
Emilie Autumn – I know where you sleep
Rebecca is percussions. Loud drums beating everything down on their path to affirm who they are, lead troops and protect their country. It can be incredibly alluring when it dictates the movements of a belly dancer’s hips but is more often than not a force to reckon with. And let’s be honest, it’s a little scary. It is what you hear first when your neighbour is listening to his music too loud.
I chose Emilie Autumn’s I Know Where You Sleep because it is mostly led by drums, yes. I also chose it because of the lyrics (which are in the linked video). Listen to them from a telepath’s point of view: “I know the sickening thoughts that slither around your head.”
Rebecca knows and she has the potential violence to sound as menacing, and beat you to a pulp, if you mess up with her or her loved ones.

Casey
Sugar Ray – Fly
If I had to pick a musical instrument for Casey, as I did for the two girls, I think I’d give him the flute. Yeah, I know, doesn’t sound all that masculine, does it? Beg to differ.
The flute doesn’t do dramatic very well. It’s playful. It’s sunshiny. It’s light. It sparkles. And last, but not least, it has a phallic shape. Now, try and tell me this is not Casey?
Admittedly, the song I picked doesn’t have any flute. However, it does convey this “cruising under the sun in a convertible car” feel. It has Casey’s smooth moves and crooked smile. The lyrics are fitting too: “I just wanna fly. Put your arms around me baby.” Added bonus: dress Mark McGrath (the singer) with a suit and it’s pretty much what I have in mind when I think of Casey!

Cassidy and Rebecca
Apocalyptica – Quutamo
The both of them complete each other perfectly. Rebecca supports and guides Cassidy. Cassidy modulates and softens Rebecca. The harmony of Apocalyptica’s Quutamo perfectly shows that and nicely shadows the story’s plot.
There is even a little bit of Casey at about 1 minute 45.

Cassidy and Casey
Yiruma – River Flows In You (piano and violin duet cover)
I had a hard time picking the perfect song for their relationship. There is definitely something between them. Is it the playfulness of two friends? Is it romanticism? Will they come together or grow apart? There are a lot of feelings to portray.
The original River Flows In You by Yiruma is simultaneously sad, romantic and joyful. This violin and piano duet posted by s0ggywaffls adds the layer I needed to get it to a point that really represented Cassidy and Casey. Both instruments work together but remain separate entities. At times, it sounds like the violin is escaping the piano as it gains energy and freedom while the piano stays behind. Yet, as it ends, they share a few notes and you’re left hoping.

The Story as a Whole
Sarah Moir – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons’ Winter remix
The Four Seasons of Vivaldi immediately came to my mind when I thought of summing up my whole story with one musical oeuvre. But then, as I listened to it with that in mind, I found that it was missing harshness. And percussions. I decided to browse a bit for a version played with an electric violin and a little bit more aggression. Something a bit more foreboding. Sarah Moir’s rendition does that.

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So there you have it! This is my auditory perception of my characters and story. For those of you who are familiar with Cassidy’s story, what song(s) would you put to it? Any song you would like to bring to my attention? As you can see, I have a very diverse repertoire (though the songs I picked are violin-centric due to Cassidy) so don’t be shy!
And if you are lucky, I might post something similar for my work in progress (The One Who Sees) too. Would that interest you?
Time for me to stop writing now and leave the stage to the next person on the chain!

The AW May Musical Blog Chain’s Fantabulous Participants:
Aheïla (me)
Stefanie Gaither
AuburnAssassin
xcomplex
Proach
8thSamurai
vfury
CScottMorris
RavenCorinnCarluk
Hayley E. Lavik
FreshHell
LadyMage
DavidZahir
Aimée Laine
egoodlett
Semmie
Sbclark
Razibahmed
ArcticFox
Lilain
truelyana
CowgirlPoet
defyalllogic
circlexranch