Dive into the musical world that inspired M.L. Rio’s captivating novella, Graveyard Shift. For fans eager to explore the atmospheric depths of dark academia and the chilling themes of her latest work, Rio shares a curated playlist of Rio Songs that served as the sonic backdrop to her writing process. Just as music is integral to her life as an insomniac and writer, these tracks became essential in capturing the mood and essence of Graveyard Shift. Explore the eclectic mix of genres and artists that fueled this fast-paced and atmospheric narrative.
Rio reveals that music is her “Point Zero” when writing, spending weeks immersed in songs that resonate with the book’s atmosphere. This is especially true for Graveyard Shift, a story deeply intertwined with sleep and sleeplessness, a familiar state for Rio herself. These ten tracks, along with a longer list in the book’s back pages, have been constant companions since the manuscript’s inception.
1. Tom Waits, “Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard”
Rio envisions this track as the opening theme, setting a spooky yet darkly humorous tone as the five main characters converge at the cemetery. She describes Graveyard Shift as a black comedy, balancing humor and horror to mirror the contradictions that keep her characters awake at night. This song encapsulates the gallows humor they employ to navigate their unfortunate circumstances until dawn. The track choice immediately establishes a connection to the book’s title and central themes, showcasing Rio’s intentional use of rio songs to build atmosphere.
2. The Specials, “Ghost Town”
The Specials’ iconic track, celebrated for its unique sound and social commentary, mirrors the genre-defying nature of both the song and Graveyard Shift. Blending reggae, punk, and new wave, “Ghost Town” reflects the urban decay and social unrest of 1980s UK, themes that resonate within the novella’s narrative. Rio draws parallels between the song’s depiction of societal issues and the book’s exploration of privilege and the consequences when marginalized individuals challenge the established order. This song choice highlights Rio’s appreciation for music that carries social weight, further enriching the context of rio songs influencing her work.
3. Modest Mouse, “Bury Me With It”
The raw, nihilistic energy of Modest Mouse’s “Bury Me With It” embodies the breaking point experienced by each of the five protagonists in Graveyard Shift. This track became a leitmotif, representing moments where characters disregard consequences and embrace risk-taking. Rio explains that chronic overwork and underpayment lead to a sense of futility, making the idea of surrendering to despair almost appealing. The song’s “fuck it” attitude mirrors the characters’ desperate actions, illustrating how rio songs capture the emotional core of the narrative.
4. Misfits, “Horror Business”
Rio succinctly states that “Horror Business” by Misfits is the sonic representation of the Hostile Incidents within Graveyard Shift, avoiding spoilers while hinting at the song’s intense and perhaps chaotic nature. This track choice suggests a darker, more aggressive element within the novella, showcasing the diverse range of rio songs that contribute to the book’s overall atmosphere.
5. Bauhaus, “In the Night”
Bauhaus’s The Sky’s Gone Out album was a constant presence during Rio’s writing process, with “In the Night” standing out. The lyrics, filled with unease and uncertainty, perfectly capture the novella’s atmosphere and its nocturnal setting. Rio connects humanity’s fear of literal darkness with a fear of figurative uncertainty, highlighting how the song’s dangling lines and unsettling reminder that “you never know” propel both the narrative and Edie’s investigative drive. This selection demonstrates Rio’s preference for rio songs that evoke a sense of gothic unease and psychological depth.
6. Echo & the Bunnymen, “Nocturnal Me”
Choosing “Nocturnal Me” over the more famous “Killing Moon” from Echo & the Bunnymen’s repertoire, Rio points to the martyr complex within the song as particularly resonant with Graveyard Shift. She draws a vivid image of the Church of Saint Anthony the Anchorite in the book, with a Bosch-like mural behind the altar, and sees “Nocturnal Me” as its musical counterpart—a “demented hagiographic fantasia.” This song selection reveals Rio’s appreciation for rio songs with complex emotional layers and artistic depth, mirroring the novella’s rich imagery.
7. Siouxsie and the Banshees, “Trust In Me”
Siouxsie and the Banshees’ cover of “Trust In Me,” originally from Disney’s Jungle Book, is a surprising yet fitting choice. Rio notes the song’s origin—Kaa the snake’s hypnotic lullaby—is “pretty on point for Graveyard Shift.” Siouxsie Sioux’s unique take on the song transforms it into something “deliciously insidious.” This unexpected choice demonstrates Rio’s broad musical taste and her ability to find thematic relevance in diverse rio songs, even those from seemingly disparate sources.
8. Concrete Blonde, “Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)”
“Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)” by Concrete Blonde is the only song on the playlist explicitly mentioned in Graveyard Shift. Rio explains that character Hannah, a rideshare driver, listens to the Bloodletting album to drown out her passengers. Hannah’s choice of this album before picking up the gravedigger at a bar highlights the song’s thematic and aesthetic appeal to the character. This inclusion of a directly referenced song underscores the personal connection between rio songs and the narrative, adding another layer of depth.
9. Beat Happening, “Pine Box Derby”
Similar to earlier tracks, Beat Happening’s “Pine Box Derby” is described as darkly funny and unapologetically weird. While Graveyard Shift lacks literal witches, Rio points to the presence of “biomedical hocus-pocus” informed by her academic study of witchcraft panics and their potential psycho-pharmacological origins. She humorously suggests that “Big Pharma” might be capable of similar far-fetched scenarios. This song choice emphasizes Rio’s appreciation for rio songs that blend dark humor with unconventional themes, hinting at the novella’s quirky and thought-provoking elements.
10. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!”
Rio acknowledges the enigmatic nature of Nick Cave’s lyrics, admitting that “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!” defies precise interpretation. However, she connects with the song’s central idea of “reluctant resurrections,” suggesting that “sometimes it’s better to let things die.” This final track adds a layer of philosophical ambiguity to the playlist, reflecting the complex themes within Graveyard Shift and showcasing the depth and range of rio songs that inspire M.L. Rio’s writing.
Through this playlist, M.L. Rio offers readers a unique glimpse into the creative process behind Graveyard Shift. These rio songs are not just background music; they are integral to the novella’s atmosphere, themes, and character development, providing a richer understanding of her darkly compelling world.
