Fall… the season of change. School has started back up and everyone is experiencing the annual reinvention of identity. Your music taste is no exception.

What is the first thing you think of when you think of autumn? Is it the changing leaves, warm sweaters, or Halloween festivities? Whatever it may be, you’ll need music to cover it and there is no better time for exploration than the time of year for self-discovery. With many people getting back into the routine of assignment deadlines and preparation for the upcoming holidays, music should be about the fun in it all.

Aesthetic plays a big role in the music we listen to. We need just the right song to fit our mood or to get us into a specific mindset. My recommendation is to curate playlists with these images and feelings in mind. Ask yourself what a song makes you feel as you’re listening and don’t be afraid of mixing and matching sounds, genres, and artists into one playlist!

Let’s start with a given: the study playlist. Find the rhythm that gets your brain into the groove of reading pages upon pages and typing up responses. Personally, I need some quiet and soothing music to relax me while I work. Not to mention, imagine myself in my favorite fictional worlds getting myself ready for the big test. Billie Marten, Rosemary & Garlic, and instrumentals are the key to any successful study session. If there is one thing classes have taught me, it’s that whatever I’m listening to has a huge impact on my work and motivation.

Imagine yourself walking down cobblestone streets, the colorful leaves falling and crunching beneath your feet, and the breeze chilling your cheeks. What song are you listening to? Something unexpected that just so happens to match in time with your steps or something a little more fitting to your surroundings? I know lately I’ve been drawn to the same songs and artists when I’m finding myself going from place to place. I can’t help it. “Doing the Best That I Can” by Stevie Nicks is the perfect commute song and Mazzy Star is an autumn rite of passage to me. Find the songs that make your walk time fly by or mellow you out.

And what of the Halloween lovers? Or those really into the spirit of fall? Well, you can stick to the nostalgic classics. Of course, we all love “Monster Mash”, “Thriller”, and “Ghost Busters” all courtesy of your typical Halloween party. My festive favorite is Donovan’s “Season of the Witch”. So, put on your costumes and hit the town with the unmistakable sound of terrifying tunes. Then again, there’s another feel to Halloween, too. If you have a craving for some fun at the pumpkin patch or are in need for some music to decorate to, I’ve got the picks for you. “Pumpkin” by the Regrettes and “1980s Horror Film II” by Wallows give you that subtle dose of Halloween you’ve been needing.

Most importantly, remember to have an open mind and indulge in the cliché as well as the discovery. It’s the time of year for fun and trying new things. Whether you want to play Halloween movie soundtracks, throwbacks, or feel-good songs, listen to what will get you into the spirit. Autumn is the season of change and memories, your music should reflect all that makes you, well, you!

The post Autumn: The Season of Music appeared first on SCAD Radio.

The types of media are divided into three groups: Spooky, or the goofy, silly kind of Halloween themed fodder; Scary, classic stuff–it might give you a good jump, but nothing too haunting; and Genuinely Terrifying, which taps into feelings like existential dread and abject, skin-crawling horror. Tag us on Instagram if you try out any of our suggestions!

Music 

Spooky: “Scare Me” by Ludo has an upbeat, 80s feel to it. The lyrics are full of playfully creepy imagery. It’s a guaranteed hit for an impromptu at home Halloween dance party. 

Other Suggestions – “Addams Family Theme”, “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” from 30 Rock, “When He Died” by Lemon Demon

Scary: “The Hearse Song” is a perfect fit for this category. The Marshmallow Ghosts are a Halloween themed project native to Savannah, and this song is a perfect example of their October niche. It’s a perfect inbetween, with enough doom and gloom to be actually scary, but not quite panic inducing. The upbeat nature of the song helps, too. 

Other Suggestions – “You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega, “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads, “Special Death” by Mirah

Actually Terrifying: “Zombie” by the Cranberries is a rare song that effectively conveys a chilling message in a poetic manner. Though most likely know the song for Dolores O’Riordan’s distinctive vocal delivery, there’s actually a deeply tragic narrative behind the lyrics stemming from conflict in Ireland.

Other Suggestions – “Western World” The Casket Girls

Check out the rest of SCAD Radio’s Halloween Playlist here. 

Movies 

Spooky: Rocky Horror Picture Show – If you’re wanting to watch an occult classic with a “Sweet Transvestite” (played by Tim Curry, the man himself), a hit musical track, aliens, incest and sex, then Rocky Horror Picture show is the spooky movie for you.  -Anne Connor

Other Suggestions – Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus

Scary: Psycho is an absolute staple of the horror genre. Audiences back in the day were surely given some nightmares after viewing this flick, but our modern sensibilities allow for a tamer reaction. 

Other Suggestions – The Silence of the Lambs, Carrie, The Witch

Actually Terrifying: Green Room tells the story of a punk band trapped in a Neo-Nazi club. I know, that’s already some pretty scary stuff, and that’s only the barest of bones of the story. Patrick Stewart plays a chilling villain that reveals the true inhumanity that one can reach. 

Other Suggestions – Hereditary, Get Out, Midsommar, Coraline

TV Shows

Spooky: Over the Garden Wall is a Cartoon Network animated miniseries that aired over the course of a week in 2014. This highly critically acclaimed show tells the story of two boys trying to find their way home in a beautifully animated manner filled with fall imagery. The cutesy creepy style makes it perfect to breeze through while enjoying some apple cider with friends. 

Other Suggestions – Goosebumps, The Twilight Zone

Scary: The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is yet another Halloween-related cartoon that existed during the youth of millenial/gen-z kids. It revolves around the Grim Reaper and two kids who have him bend to their will. It makes it into the scary category by virtue of the psychedelic imagery and gross-out humor that the show indulges in. 

Other Suggestions – Haunting of Hill House, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors 

Actually Terrifying: Courage the Cowardly Dog is notorious for causing nightmares. Despite the main character’s appearance, Courage explores disturbing topics and incorporates genuinely terrifying villains on the regular. I definitely recommend this one if you want to reignite some childhood terror. 

Other Suggestions – American Horror Story (depending on the season) 

Visual Artists

Jon Macnair – Macnair puts a contemporary spin on the medieval likes of Hireonymous Bosch in his macabre tableaus. His work is full of human faces on animals as well, which is scary enough on its own. 

Peo Michie – Annually, Michie illustrates Halloween-themed WLW pinup girls that are absolutely charming. They’re a really fun and unique way to celebrate the season. 

Ramen Shaman – Ramen Shaman’s work generally consists of some fairly unsettling portraiture that is sure to get you thinking about the macabre. Who knows, maybe a distended face will show up in your subconscious sometime. 

Youtubers 

Defunctland – Kevin Perjurer hosts this amusement park themed youtube channel. On the surface there isn’t too much scary stuff going on, but a deeper dive results in some pretty chilling real life tales, specifically his Son of Beast, The History of Action Park, and the History of America Sings videos. 

Bailey Sarian – Sarian’s videos bring together the worlds of horror and makeup in her true crime youtube series. 

Ask a Mortician – Caitlin Doughty, author and actual mortician, has a youtube series that investigates death related subjects and answers common questions about morticianhood. She has a refreshing “death positive” position that is refreshing and helpful to those with existential fears. She also has a video covering Savannah’s own Bonaventure Cemetery!

Special thanks to all of the staff and volunteers that contributed to this article, including Anne Connor, Billie Redner, Savannah Mendoza, Mel Pezoldt, Maya Looney, Cher Shaffer, Jessica Clary, Hailey Feller, and Sarah Luongo.

The post Spooky, Scary, and Actually Terrifying: A SCAD Radio Halloween Special appeared first on SCAD Radio.

Regardless of your personal taste, everyone can appreciate a strong movie score. Different from the soundtrack, the score is the original music composed to set the mood. And there aren’t many genres that allow the freedom for experimental scores the same way horror does.

So whether you’re looking to get pumped for Halloween, something to listen to while reading a Stephen King novel, or something to fall asleep to—no one’s judging—here’s a list of top 10 horror movie scores that might be of some use.

10. Insidious (2010)

Composer: Joseph Bishara

The pluck, pluck, pluck, the distant whining—Insidious sets out to make you uncomfortable, afraid of what’s behind you,  (it’s probably that red-faced demon.) Its experimental cacophony of frantic strings and ghostly whaling dipping in and out is a textbook example of a score that supports whats on screen without distracting from the terror of the story.  It is both atmospheric and wildly entertaining on and off screen.

9. We Are What We Are (2013)

Composer: Philip Mossman & Darren Morris, Nick Garrie and Jeff Grace

A slow burn movie about a disturbed family of cannibals, We Are What We Are doesn’t require anything flashy. It excels at building dread.  With a gentle whirring, crickets, whispers, and a tragic piano, the soundtrack as a whole has such a strong sense of place. Where are you? You don’t know, but you’re standing in a field, overcast just after rainfall. Something’s wrong, but you can’t say what.  Less is absolutely more.

8. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
   Composer: Charles Bernstein 

A classic for a reason, Nightmare on Elm Street’s soundtrack posses all of the terrifying fun of the movie.  It’s 80’s synth-flare never stopped being blood-pumping, and—in today’s age of 80’s nostalgia—creepily charming, for the lack of a better word. Filled with surprises, you’re not sleeping. Which, of course, is the point.

7. The Exorcist (1973)

Composer: Various Artists

While some may say, “the scariest movie of all time” doesn’t hold up—which is arguably not true—The Exorcist soundtrack absolutely does.  It makes you wait,  playing with your anticipation. Every track ebbs and flows, confusing you. Understanding that the scariest part of horror is the unexpected, The Exorcist exploits it. Serving as inspiration for many of the scores on this list, The Exorcist simply does it best.

6. The Witch (2015)

Composer: Mark Koven

A slow burn in the style of We Are What We Are, albeit more successful, The Witch does not require anything flashy either. With inspiration from many of the scores before it, The Witch finds a way to seamlessly combine them while simultaneously fusing a historical sense of place with modern familiarity. Feeling as if something is toying with you, the soundtrack is haunting with its sudden clacking, melodies, and chanting. Somehow, it’s terrifying and beautiful.

5. Halloween (1978)

Composer: John Carpenter

Absolutely iconic, the score itself feels like October, trick-or-treating, watching horror movies in the dead of night. We can all recognize the theme, but every track shines. It begs to be listened to with it’s building dread, frantic melodies. And while its tropes are very familiar, its sound is so closely tied to the late 70s-80s style of filmmaking and the fun of slashers, it is uniquely its own. Nothing says Halloween like Halloween.

4. The Omen (1976)

Composer: Jerry Goldsmith

The Omen will instill the fear of God into you.  Something evil, stronger than us brews beneath every track. Frightening, twisted and demented, the score grows and grows to terrifying heights. Rightfully so, the Catholic motifs of the movie are infused into its score. With the occasional gentle track, the score itself flows like the calm before the storm, only to damn you to hell.

3. Amityville Horror (1979)

Composer: Lalo Schifrin

Possessing some kind of child-like quality, Amityville Horror’s score feels very much of its time. With almost playful ghostlike voices and piano, there is a dreadful curiosity. The entire score feels like the feeling in your gut as you descend the stairs to a dark basement. You know you need to investigate, but it just might kill you.  It is the musical embodiment of yelling at the screen, “Turn around!  Go back home!”

It’s a surprising choice for a haunted house movie, but perfectly fitting.

2. Suspiria (1977)

Composer: Goblin

Composed by Italian prog-rock group, Goblin, Suspiria morphs the Tubular Bells melody of The Exorcist with the disturbed whispers, chantings and the screaming of “Witch!” to create something uniquely horrifying.  It is an assault, frightful and demented. You are being dragged to hell as the skies open up to the heavens.  It is the cornerstone of horror scores. You simply do not feel safe.

1. It Follows (2014)

Composer: Disasterpeace

It’s hard to pick a score better than Suspiria, and while It Follows may not be “better,” it is most definitely different.  And in this case, different goes a long way.  While there isn’t anything revolutionary, It Follows stands out from the crowd of horror scores. It doesn’t set out for the scares–although it does excel–but instead captures a haunting coming of age. Feeling painfully familiar and odd, Disasterpeace has somehow managed to exploit a shared nightmare. It is a score absolutely worth listening to and picking apart.

The post Top 10 Horror Movie Scores appeared first on SCAD Radio.

Here’s your horror-scope in honor of All Hallows’ Eve. May you avoid the draft for the Skeleton War.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

You’re feeling uneasy for a reason, just ask the man behind you!

Taurus (April 20 – May 20) 

The dark clouds are leading you to an even darker destination.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Are you sure you want to drink that?

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Whatever you do, don’t look up.

Leo (July 22 – August 22)

Keeping your friends close is good, but it’s getting hard to breathe.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Revenge might be sweet, but you’re even sweeter.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

If you think YOUR costume’s great, you should see the guy dressed as you!

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

This will only hurt a bit.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

RUN!

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

You do the mash, you do the monster mash. (It’ll be a graveyard smash.)

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

One of the masks you wear will fall today.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

You’ll find out soon enough.

The post Your Weekly Horror-scope appeared first on SCAD Radio.