Hannah Byczkowski’s fascination with all things spooky has led to her co-hosting the hit podcast Ghost Huns : a weekly dive into the creepiest ghost stories. So, perhaps it’s to be expected that the comedian and season one winner of BBC1’s The Traitors has decided to stick in suitably macabre territory for her debut hour at the Edinburgh Fringe: the death-themed stand-up show Killer.
Ahead of her Edinburgh run, Byczkowski has curated a mixtape that’s a love letter to true crime, hypochondria and slasher flicks.
Blue Öyster Cult – Don’t Fear the Reaper
A catchy tune written after a heart condition diagnosis. Not only is it a banger but I’m a hypochondriac so I’m thrilled that someone got some validation.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Red Right Hand
The theme tune for arguably the best slasher franchise to ever exist, Scream. The song features a handsome but dangerous bloke and, quite frankly, haven’t we all had experiences with loads of those?
Eels – Fresh Blood
Another theme tune reference, fresh blood was the theme tune to The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, one of the best true crime docs made. Can a true crime documentary even be good if its opening theme isn’t a banger?
Soap&Skin – Me and the Devil
A song that makes you feel like the main character, or The Joker in Batman. It is so achingly good that it just makes me want to play a Bond villain. If any producers are reading, I’m available.
Talking Heads – Psycho Killer
“Psycho Killer” can make some people feel uncomfortable, they say “oh it’s just a bit weird” but really, given the chance, wouldn’t everyone want the opportunity to see things from the perspective of a psycho killer? It’s sexy and fun…more fun than being a good person, surely?
Barns Courtney – Sinners
“Sinners” is a song that almost completes the circle of life. Life’s moments should be embraced, bad and good. Even the hardships should be enjoyed and revelled in because in the end….none of it matters really does it? Especially death. (I promise I’m fun in real life.)
Hannah Byczkowski: Killer, Gilded Balloon, 5-30 Aug (not 18), 5.10pm