Here’s a snazzy playlist of songs and artists mentioned as influences or inspirations—-or merely as sonic signposts—-in “The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low.”

It can be loud, it can be weird, but I think you’ll find it entertaining. It might even get you to thinking, “Gee, how in the WORLD does that song/artist/album fit into this story?”

Hopefully you’ll keep coming back to it, find things you’ve never heard before, appreciate things you know in a new way, or just shake your head and wonder, “He’s quite mad, isn’t he?”

So, hit the randomizer, leave your phone in the other room, lock your door, put the dog/cat out (well, put the dog/cat out THEN lock the door), pour yourself a soothing libation, and turn it up.