BELLS HELLS PLAYLIST: FEARNE

This week’s Bells Hells playlist explores the wildness of Fearne, curated by Ashley Johnson.

Our playlists are curated carefully by each player and our previous character playlists can be found on Spotify via the official Critical Role profile or you can listen to the playlist embedded below. For more music selections inspired by Fearne, check out her first playlist from Exandria Unlimited, here.

All yours, Ashley!

In thinking of a new character to play for Campaign 3, I was having a hard time. Especially knowing the characters we were playing in ExU were coming along with us to C3. I wasn’t ready to leave Yasha. It felt like I was just getting started with her, in some ways. But the end of C2 was so sad and beautiful and bittersweet, and it really felt like the story that we’d all been telling together, was finally complete. It was a wonderful jumping point to try something wildly different. Ha!

I knew I wanted to play someone from the Fey Wild. Someone that moves and does the first thing she feels. You can’t pin a morality on her because there’s no such thing to her. Her moral compass is constantly spinning and that feels dangerous. Like how a clown can be fun and playful, but also may give you nightmares because they’re definitely going to be hiding under your bed and possibly try to kill you in your sleep. At least, that’s my interpretation of someone from the Fey Wild. Also, I can make up whatever I want and it could quite possibly be true.

I didn’t realize I would have so much fun playing a button pusher. Fearne is… chaotically fluid and I’m trying to bring a little fun to life because, well… these past couple years have been depressing and dramatic and just the absolute pits (just me?). Fearne has been so light and fluffy to play and it’s a nice headspace to be in and escape to, for 3+ hours. Just a moment, a break from the drama (and trauma) we’ve all collectively been living in and dealing with, as humans.

I’ve learned so much about Fearne since the last playlist. She’s changed and shifted and grown. I’m letting her be moved by the wind and truly learning the meaning of… “Yes and…” and YOLO.

Most of my life, I’ve always had a script. I know what my character’s “end” will be. You do all the preparing. Studying your character’s arc, knowing where they are emotionally in their journey depending on where you are in the story, all that dumb actor shit that helps you make it “real.” Blah blah blah.

But when you sit at the table, all bets are off. It intimidated me for a long time (still does if I’m being honest). It feels like being in a pinball machine with your pals. Bumping up against each other and changing the trajectory of a story together. You don’t know what’s going to happen and that is so fucking exhilarating. I’m addicted to the feeling.

Now, about the playlist. I love music so much and there’s nothing I enjoy more than giving/receiving a mixtape. I’m v v particular and I have tried my darnedest to whittle this list down and yet, here we are with 19 tracks (King would be proud) ;).

Fearne is extra and I guess I am too. Deal with it.

Enjoy (or don’t, you do you).

-AJ

P.S. Warning, this playlist is out there and all over the place… But each song serves a purpose. And it is one hundred percent, completely Fearne.

P.P.S. I’m sorry that was so long winded okay let’s get to the music GEEZ LOUISE stop reading this already.

Pure Imagination from “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

This playlist is a musical mood board, if you will. The inspiration behind building Fearne (Maybe one day I’ll share her visual mood board/inspo). Wonka was a big influence for Fearne (I love Gene Wilder so very much). Whimsical, but a darkness bubbling underneath it all. Something a little…off. Fearne is deeply curious and has quite the imagination. What’s true? What’s completely imagined? Could it all be true? Surely not. 😉

Take Five by Dave Brubeck

I can’t NOT move to this song. It feels smooth and lazy and don’t even get me started on the bouncy piano. I feel like it would be so fun to play. This feels like accessible jazz. If you want weird shit, I can bring you weird shit. I just don’t want to scare you away just yet.
I actually do really love jazz. Grew up with it because my dad loved it, so it gives me the warm and fuzzies. He played the clarinet and had one of the most beautiful voices. He was also an incredible whistler. I know that’s a weird thing, but when you hear a good whistler, you’ll get it. Music was a big part of my youth and still is. No art makes me FEEL more than music. It quite literally moves you. And yes, Jazz is chaos. Beautiful, messy, floppy and frenetic chaos.

Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite bands. This record was on repeat in my house.
I’ve always been charmed by the woman she sings about in this song. A woman taken by the wind. And that is a perfect description for Fearne. There are oh so many directions she could go and for someone like Fearne who teeters, that’s a scary thought. Which way will she land? Which way will the wind take her?

Lil Red Riding Hood by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

Oh Chet. Big boys needs some scritches!

Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band

*shrugs* Sure…why not.

Part of Your World by Jodi Benson

Fearne collects so many trinkets and treasures, whozits and whatzits galore. They may not be special to anyone else, but they are to her.

The Way I Walk by The Cramps

Ashton and Fearne walk into a seedy bar. They drop a coin in the jukebox, drink some ale, milk and whiskey, pick some pockets, making sure to have a dance before they leave…(directed by Quentin Tarantino obvi)

Tempo by Lizzo (feat. Missy Elliott)

I don’t think I need to explain this choice.

Dialogue 4 (Sunflower) by From Harold & Maude

I love this movie so much. Maude was one of the first inspirations for Fearne. She’s so full of life and truly knows how to live in the moment and FOR the moment. This is such a beautiful scene.

Wolf Like Me by Lera Lynn

Wildshape feels so good. Twists and turns you into something new and strong, slippery and fast, moving in a different way than your natural shape. It’s quite fun really and Fearne likes it.

Storms by Fleetwood Mac

Imogen. We must help her get free from this. Each dream, a test. To be taken by the storm…or learn to control it.

Riders on the Storm by The Doors

We’ll ride the storm with you, if we have to. No matter how far it takes us. Strap in bitches, we’re going storm hunting.

Mother by John Lennon

One day, Mama Birdie and Papa Ollie. One day.

Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland

I hope we get to go to Grandma’s house. It’s quite dreamy and charming. It’s home. And Grandma is Fearne’s favorite person in the whole wide world.

Now, we are winding down and entering into the (mostly) instrumental portion of our journey. Please feel free to lounge and relax if you would like.

Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller

Ruidus, serenade us.

Mother’s Love by the Vernon Spring

I have a few different playlists that are just instrumental. I love it because it can be so fluid and make you move, without a voice telling you what the song is about and how to feel. You make it up. You can feel happy or sad, depending if it’s in a Major or Minor key.

I imagine Fearne in the woods, picking flowers with her pals, dancing, smiling, lounging in the peachy fey sun, running her hands through the river.

Skogsraah by Glen Gabriel

😉

My Lagan Love by Lisa Hannigan

“And like a love-sick lennan-shee
She has my heart in thrall
Nor life I owe, nor liberty
For love is lord of all”

An Ending (Ascent) by Brian Eno

Where do we go from here? Only time will tell…

Official character art by Hannah Friederichs (@agarthanguide)