One thing I’ve noticed a lot of younger writers doing is creating a soundtrack that captures the vibes of their novels. I have never really been one to do that, preferring to write with either a TV series or a podcast on in the background. There’s something about the hum of conversation that helps me focus.
And this is strange, considering that one of the purposeful choices I make when writing is inserting the names of songs that capture the mood or the action of the characters. So, while “the curtain may be blue just because,” if I insert a song title, that is symbolic.
What I have done, however, after I’ve written the novel is to put together a playlist “inspired” by it. Songs that I think capture the essence, the flow, and the mood of the book.
And so, for my recent release, Blue Moon, I offer this soundtrack.
- “Bury a Friend” – Billie EilishThe ominous beat and whispered vocals reflect the ghostly presence that lingers throughout the story, much like the spirits that haunt Coal Creek. I’m not a super huge fan of Eilish, but she does have a haunting voice in this one, and I think it really fits.
- “Seven Devils” – Florence + The MachineThis track’s apocalyptic energy fits the cursed and tormented spirits that refuse to rest, paralleling the miners’ lingering presence. I love Florence + The Machine, and any chance to include one of their songs, I will take. It’s dark, tormented, sexy…everything I look for. And hopefully everything I offer.
- “The Killing Moon” – Echo & The BunnymenA song drenched in fatalistic romance, much like Tiffani’s eerie dance with her supernatural suitor. What can I say, I like fatalism and romance in the darker corners of life.
- “House of the Rising Sun” – Lauren O’Connell (Cover)A haunting folk song that matches the desolate, ghost-town setting of Coal Creek and its tragic history. If there’s any classic folk and blues song I love more than “House of the Rising Sun,” I don’t know what that could be. And there is a hauntedness to this cover that I adore.
- “No One Believes Me” – Kid CudiThe slow, creeping dread of this song echoes the investigators’ realization that something far worse than folklore exists in the shadows. I happened upon this song by chance, and it stuck with me as perfect for a world where a few people learn the truth about the existence of supernatural beings but can’t share it with everyone.
- “Sixteen Tons” – Merle TravisWhat can I say? Yes, this song about owing your soul to the company store in a mining town is perfect for the fate of Coal Creek. It was resonant when the song was written, and it’s doubly so now.
- “Ghosting” – Mother MotherA playful yet eerie song that reflects the investigators’ attempts to communicate with the dead, unaware of the true dangers awaiting them. This song really reminded me of a more innocent version of Ghost Adventures, which was part of the inspiration for Butcher’s Bend Paranormal.
- “Blackout Days” – PhantogramThe dark synth beats and ethereal vocals convey the sensation of slipping between reality and the supernatural realm, and for Sam, this song might become much more prophetic soon…
- “Come Little Children” – Erutan (Cover)This chilling lullaby-like song matches the eerie spirit of the haunted locations and the supernatural presence that calls to the living. I honestly thought about “Cry Little Sister,” from the Lost Boys soundstrack, but I feel that song might be more appropriate later in the series.
- “Dead Man’s Bones” – Dead Man’s Bones (feat. The Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir)A theatrical and ghostly track that embodies the lingering spirits, much like those who rise to watch the lovers dance in the cemetery. I came across this song thanks to my niece’s piano recital. Some of the younger children sang this, and it struck a chord with me. I wasn’t sure why at the time, but now I know.
- “Tear You Apart” – She Wants RevengeThis darkwave track perfectly represents the dangerous, obsessive nature of supernatural love and possession in the manuscript. Look, I heard this song in American Horror Story, and well… you know.
- “Gods & Monsters” – Lana Del ReyWhat can I say? I love blending the dark and erotic, and any song that is this sultry and eerie with its exploration of divinity and darkness will grab my attention.
- “Werewolf” – CocoRosieSensing a theme yet? Innocence and darkness, the passion of life and death… these are the themes that inspire me. A blend of innocence and darkness, this track represents the cursed and predatory forces within the novel.
- “Moonlight Sonata” – Beethoven (Dark Orchestral Remix)The classical depth and eerie, melancholic tone of this version encapsulate the haunting atmosphere of Blue Moon. I don’t usually get excited over remixes, but this one is even eerier than the original. It’s beautiful but dangerous, the way I like things.
I love music. I’ve played violin since I was nine. Maybe I’ll try writing to music more often, so I can post the soundtrack of drafting.
Remember, my latest urban fantasy thriller, Blue Moon, is available across the internet (Paperback and eBook). You can buy paperbacks directly from me at my website, and I’m working on direct eBook sales.
cursingravenbooks.com 