The Music of The Wicked + The Divine

It’s no secret that the minds behind The Wicked + the Divine love music. It’s also no secret that many of the characters in the series are directly inspired by specific artists (and in some cases, more than one). Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie have done numerous interviews about their inspirations and subsequently, what sort of music they’re into themselves as the unofficial Go To Music Nerds of Comics.

On a personal level, music was one of my first loves in my life. I didn’t really have regular access to movies, TV or video games so the thing that I bonded with my dad over was music (I swear he had mixed tapes that all looked the same and yet he always knew exactly what was on each and how far he had to skip to get to the song he wanted to listen to). He introduced me to everything that he loved and in turn, I have a penchant for 80s new wave and alternative and other such inspiring things. Of course, that has turned into a love for many other things that draw from that style as their inspiration and I like to think that I have pretty decent taste in music. Of course, taste is subjective but still.

I’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of characters from The Wicked + the Divine, researched the inspirations (as mentioned by Gillen and McKelvie) and I have additionally come up with some other musical suggestions based on those artists.

AMATERASU

Inspired by: Kate Bush, Florence + the Machine, Stevie Nicks, Bjork
You May Like: Paloma Faith, Marina and the Diamonds, La Roux, Bat for Lashes, Ladyhawke, Regina Spektor, Oh Land

MORRIGAN

Inspired by: Siouxsie and the Banshees, My Chemical Romance
You May Like: Esben and the Witch, The Irrepressibles, Zola Jesus, Hole

SAKHMET

Inspired by: Rihanna, Grace Jones
You May Like: Cheryl Cole, Nicki Minaj, Leona Lewis, The Noisettes, Janelle Monae, Lulu James

LUCIFER

Inspired by: David Bowie
You May Like: Talking Heads, Blondie, Echo and the Bunnymen

BAPHOMET

Inspired by: Nick Cave
You May Like: Leonard Cohen, PJ Harvey, Mark Lanegan, The Cramps, Gang of Four

WODEN

Inspired by: Daft Punk, deadmau5
You May Like: Justice, Kavinsky, Wolfgang Gartner, Nero, Rusko, Knife Party, Skrillex

BAAL

Inspired by: Kanye West, Drake, Bo Diddly
You May Like: The Weekend, Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Run the Jewels, Tyler the Creator

TARA

Inspired by: Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift
You May Like: Grimes, Kesha, Lily Allen

CASSANDRA

Inspired by: Elastica, Savages
You May Like: Jarvis Cocker, Happy Mondays, Anna Calvi, Souls of Mischief

Kieron Gillen has made a Spotify playlist for you if you want to give a listen to a number of choice songs that helped inspire the characters. Find it embedded below: