Post-Rock and Horror

Post-Rock and Horror

Author: Ross Payton, Birk McBirkinson February 14, 2022 Duration: 36:42
In this episode, we examine the link between post-rock music and horror. We explore the ways in which the thematic elements of post-rock, such as despair and passion, make it a profound companion to the revelatory nature of horror media.

Ever find yourself drawn to a melody that feels like it's echoing from an empty mall or a soundtrack for a forgotten dream? That's the territory explored on Night Clerk Radio: Haunted Music Reviews. Hosts Ross Payton and Birk McBirkinson act as your guides through the often-overlooked corridors of sound, focusing on genres like vaporwave and dark ambient where nostalgia and unease intertwine. Each episode is less a standard review and more a deep dive into the history and emotional resonance of this "haunted" music. You'll hear curated selections of tracks, but the discussion goes much further, unpacking why certain retro aesthetics or melancholic tones hold such power over us. The podcast regularly features interviews with artists and enthusiasts, adding layers of context and personal insight to the commentary. It’s for anyone who’s ever wondered about the stories behind the strangely comforting, sometimes unsettling music that exists just outside the mainstream. Tune in to discover not just what to listen to next, but to better understand the quiet pull of the shadows in our playlists.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Night Clerk Radio: Haunted Music Reviews
Podcast Episodes
September New Music: VIDEOFUNK and Leviathan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:05
In this episode, we're diving into some new September music. With summer coming to a close, it seems we were both inspired to explore some of our favorite comfort genres. For Birk, that's the hazy and nostalgic VIDEOFUNK…
The Curious Case of the Dungeons and Dragons Promotional Cassette [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:23
In this episode, we dare to enter Ross’s cherished domain: the tabletop role-playing game! We’re checking out “First Quest,” a 1985 promotional cassette released by TSR UK. The cassette features a wide variety of tracks…
August New Music: Xeeland and Nmesh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:20
It’s time for our August new music episode. This time there’s no obvious overarching theme between our picks so no clever episode title, sorry! We’re starting off with Master Builder by Xeeland, an album that takes you o…
A Dungeon Synth Picnic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
In this episode, we’re finally breaking out the summer dungeon synth. But first we ask: what even is summer in music when freed from the burden of marketing and publicity? After that mild diversion, we chat about five du…
Summer Dungeon Synth? No, Summer and Dungeon Synth! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:10
In this episode, Ross and I set out to find some new summer dungeon synth. That didn’t work out, so by complete chance Ross went with dungeon synth and I went with summer. It doesn’t matter! We ended up finding two super…
Vibing with The Rat Man in Vermis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
In this episode, we’re exploring one of our favorite metagenres: haunted media about media that never existed. This time, we’re delving into Vermis, a strategy guide for a game that doesn’t exist. It’s a beautiful and ev…
June New Music: Suburbia After Dark and Vistas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
It’s time for June new music explorations and in this episode Ross and Birk have once again shown up with two very different albums. We’re discussing Suburbia After Dark, a compelling sample-laden darkwave journey, and V…
Seeking More Sanctuary (Sanctuary 2025 Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:16
In this episode, we’re back to checking out a bunch of great live and URL sets from Sanctuary 2025, a charity show for the TransOhio Emergency Fund organized by Nostalgia Lounge in March of 2025. We go through sets that…
May New Music: celadonDREAM Suite and  ZIAD! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
It’s time for us to gather around the Bandcamppole and celebrate the working artists of the world with our May new music episode. We’ve once again (completely unplanned!) have selected albums that represent both the comf…
A Sanctuary Sampler (Sanctuary 2025 Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:52
In this episode, we’re starting our series covering as many IRL and URL sets as we can get our hands on from Sanctuary 2025. Sanctuary is a charity show put on by Nostalgia Lounge (run by Crystal Eternal) to raise money…