Horror-Indie Karaoke: A Playlist Inspired by Mitski’s 'Nothing’s About to Happen to Me'

Can't find a karaoke set that matches Mitski's cold, cinematic dread? You're not alone.

Fans who fell for Mitski's horror-tinged single and video — especially the unsettling, Shirley Jackson–inflected mood of "Where's My Phone?" — often run into the same problems: playlists that are either too poppy for the vibe, lyric sources that break copyright rules, or no easy way to get karaoke-ready stems and synced lyrics for the songs you actually want to sing. This guide solves that. Below is a curated, karaoke-ready playlist of horror indie and cinematic tracks you can perform tonight, plus practical production tips, staging ideas, and 2026-forward advice for building polished, sharable performances.

The evolution that matters in 2026

By early 2026 the karaoke landscape has changed: AI-driven stem separation and official micro-licensing deals (rolled out across late 2024–2025) make it far easier to access instrumental tracks and post short-form cover clips legally. Spatial audio and synced-lyrics features are mainstream on mobile karaoke apps, and social platforms now reward cinematic, high-concept performances—exactly the kind of content Mitski fans love. That means a horror-indie setlist isn’t just mood — it’s highly shareable content for Reels, Shorts and other short-form formats.

"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality." — Shirley Jackson (read by Mitski on her promo line for Nothing’s About to Happen to Me)

Playlist: A horror-indie karaoke setlist inspired by Mitski

Curated for singers who want eerie atmosphere, singable hooks and cinematic staging. Each listing includes: why it fits the mood, karaoke notes (key, tempo, duet potential), and how to get a performance-ready instrumental.

1. Mitski — "Where's My Phone?"
   • Why: The single that inspired this list — intimate, anxious, and perfect for a haunted-house aesthetic.
   • Karaoke notes: Mid tempo ~72–85 BPM, vocal lines are conversational; keep dynamics soft then erupt on the chorus. Duet potential: low harmony on refrains.
   • How to get it: Check Dead Oceans' official release for instrumentals; otherwise use AI stems (see production tips) and obtain any necessary micro-licensing for short clips.
2. Angel Olsen — "All Mirrors"
   • Why: Orchestral, widescreen, and cinematic. Big chorus — great for a dramatic, lighting-driven finale.
   • Karaoke notes: Range-heavy; transpose down a step or two if needed. Mid/slow tempo (approx 80 BPM). Add reverb and a lush pad to emulate the orchestral swell.
3. The Antlers — "Kettering"
   • Why: Haunting narrative vocals and a slowly collapsing arrangement; ideal for melancholic storytelling on stage.
   • Karaoke notes: Intimate verses, more intense choruses — use whisper-to-power dynamics. Keep backing sparse at first, then add strings or synths on the second half.
4. Perfume Genius — "Queen"
   • Why: Theatrical and confrontational with a dark glam edge. It’s cinematic and singable — a prime karaoke centerpiece.
   • Karaoke notes: Strong, sustained notes on the chorus. Lower the key if necessary for reach. Encourage dramatic phrasing.
5. Weyes Blood — "Movies"
   • Why: Lush, cinematic pop with vintage horror-movie textures. Great for playback with subtle visual loops.
   • Karaoke notes: Smooth dynamics, careful breath control for long lines. Use stereo reverb to create cinematic depth.
6. Chelsea Wolfe — "Feral Love"
   • Why: Gothic intensity and dense textural soundscapes that read as horror-indie staples.
   • Karaoke notes: Heavy vocal tone, use of low harmonies and distortion on the backing track for texture. Best for singers comfortable with darker timbres.
7. Zola Jesus — "Night"
   • Why: Operatic and ritualistic — it’s pure atmosphere, perfect for closing with a lingering sense of dread.
   • Karaoke notes: Strong, controlled vibrato works well. Consider looping the outro for a cinematic fade-out for social clips.
8. Sharon Van Etten — "Seventeen"
   • Why: Introspective with a cinematic sweep; emotional and highly performable.
   • Karaoke notes: Slight tempo increase (approx 95 BPM) gives it urgency. Harmonies on the bridge can elevate a duet version.
9. PJ Harvey — "The Words That Maketh Murder"
   • Why: Stark, haunting narrative with cinematic percussion; well-suited for dramatic staging.
   • Karaoke notes: Accent the phrasing; percussive backing helps drive the story without overpowering vocals.
10. Radiohead — "How to Disappear Completely"
    • Why: Ethereal and bleak in equal measure — a quiet, cinematic closer that leaves the room unsettled in the best way.
    • Karaoke notes: Very dynamic; keep verses breathy and let the chorus bloom. Use atmospheric pads and reverb-heavy guitar tones.

How to make these tracks karaoke-ready (practical, step-by-step)

Whether you’re making an at-home backing track or prepping for a bar performance, these steps will get you from raw audio to singer-friendly instrumental in under an hour.

1. Source stems legally and smartly

• First check for official instrumentals — some labels now release stems or instrumentals alongside singles (Mitski’s label and similar indie labels occasionally do this).
• If no official instrumental exists, use AI separation tools — by 2026 the best results come from improved models like Demucs derivatives and commercial services that offer high-quality vocal removal. Always confirm license/use rules before distributing stems.
• For social clips, look for micro-licensing options (platform deals that cover short-form clips); many came online in late 2024–2025 and are common by 2026.

2. Adjust key and tempo

• Use a DAW or simple pitch-shift tools (Ableton Live, Logic, or free tools) to transpose keys so the lead sits comfortably in your range. A common change is -2 to -4 semitones for female singers who want lower comfort.
• Use time-stretching to slightly adjust tempo without artifacts — target +/-5% for natural sound. For live karaoke, match BPM to a metronome track if you’ll be using in-ear cues.

3. Polish the backing

• Apply a gentle compressor and a bus reverb to glue ambient elements together — you want cinematic space, not muddiness.
• If the original mix feels thin after vocal removal, add pad layers or string samples to restore depth.
• Create two mixes: a full performance mix and a "practice" mix with slightly louder guide vocals or a click track.

4. Build synced lyrics for sing-along

• Use lyric-sync apps like Musixmatch (which powers many player integrations) or karaoke platforms that support LRC files. By 2026, many small apps offer automatic alignment using AI — it’s a huge time saver.
• Manually tweak critical lines (turning points, breaths) so on-screen cues match phrasing — this elevates the karaoke experience.

Stagecraft: How to perform a horror-indie karaoke set

Good songs become unforgettable performances with three elements: visual concept, dynamic pacing, and smart transitions. Here's how to deliver on all three.

Visual concept and wardrobe

• Lean into a single motif — dishevelled 1950s housewife, reclusive artist, or anachronistic traveler. Consistency makes clips instantly recognizable on feeds.
• Use minimal, high-contrast lighting: one backlight, one cool fill to create shadows. 2026 trend: vertical LED panels with slow flickers to mimic old TV interferences.
• Props: a vintage phone (nod to "Where's My Phone?"), a flickering candle (battery-operated for safety), or an old mirror for haunting reflections.

Dynamic pacing and set order

• Start intimate: open with a whispering track (Mitski) to draw listeners in.
• Build mid-set tension with more textural tracks (Angel Olsen, Perfume Genius).
• Finish with a slow, lingering closer (Radiohead/The Antlers) so the last clip lingers in viewers' minds.
• Between songs, keep transitions tight — 6–12 seconds of ambient sound or a looping visual keeps momentum without losing the cinematic mood.

Collaborations and duets

• Invite a secondary vocalist to add an ominous counterline or harmonize on choruses (works great on "Seventeen" and "All Mirrors").
• For live gigs, assign talk-singing parts or overlapping whispers to bandmates for a 'choir of ghosts' effect.

Legal basics in 2026 — perform and share without headaches

One of the biggest pain points for fans and creators is confusion about rights. Here’s a concise guide so you can perform and post with confidence.

Displaying lyrics

• On personal devices while singing: fine for private use. For public display (bars, livestreams) you must use licensed lyrics providers or obtain permission — platforms like Musixmatch and LyricFind provide licensed displays to partners.
• If you run a lyrics site, use official licensing partners; using unlicensed lyrics risks DMCA takedowns and fines.

Performing live or streaming

• Small venues need blanket licenses from PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the U.S.; PRS in the U.K.). The venue usually handles this, but double-check if you’re organizing a private event.
• Streaming covers: platforms increasingly have in-platform license deals for short-form covers. For longer uploads or monetized tracks, secure the appropriate mechanical licenses or use a service that handles covers.

Using stems and instrumentals

• Official instrumentals are always safest. If you use AI-separated stems, don’t redistribute them publicly unless the license allows it.
• Credit the original artist and label in posts — it’s good etiquette and sometimes required by platform agreements.

2026 trends to use in your horror-indie karaoke performances

• AI stem services: Better separation equals cleaner backing tracks with minimal artifacts. Great for at-home producers.
• Micro-licensing: Short clips (15–60s) are easier to clear for social sharing thanks to deals rolled out through late 2024–2025.
• Vertical-first staging: Record performance clips in vertical orientation for Reels/Shorts with cinematic safe zones in mind.
• Spatial audio: Adding subtle spatialization in your backing tracks (2026-enabled mixers/DAWs do this natively) makes small performances sound huge on headphones.

Quick checklist: Performance-ready in 30 minutes

1. Pick 3 songs from the playlist and decide keys.
2. Source official instrumentals or use a vetted AI stem service.
3. Run a quick key/tempo tweak and export two versions (practice + performance).
4. Create synced lyrics using an AI-align tool and verify timings for the chorus lines.
5. Prep lighting and a single prop; rehearse 1 run-through with fades between songs.
6. Record vertical performance clips (15–45s) for socials and one full-length take for a YouTube upload — consider a compact field kit like the PocketCam-X for run-and-gun setups.

Pro tips from performers

• Less is more with effects. Heavy auto-tune takes away from the aesthetic; subtle pitch correction can enhance tuning while keeping human character.
• Use silence and micro-pauses — letting a line die before the band returns creates tension that feels cinematic.
• When in doubt, lower the key. Many horror-indie tracks benefit from a darker low register.

Final notes — why this matters now

In 2026 the intersection of AI tools, micro-licensing, and reward algorithms for cinematic content means artists and fans can create polished, shareable karaoke experiences without complex production pipelines. For Mitski fans, the aesthetic is more than nostalgia: it’s a modern performance language blending subtle horror, emotional intimacy, and stark visuals. Whether you want to sing "Where's My Phone?" in a dim living room or stage a full haunted-house set with friends, the tools and legal pathways exist — and this playlist gives you a concrete starting point.

Call to action

Ready to build your horror-indie karaoke night? Download our printable setlist and quick-mix templates, or sign up for hands-on stem-edit workshops we run monthly. Share a clip from your performance with the hashtag #IndieHauntKaraoke — we’ll feature our favorites and add successful versions to an evolving community playlist for fans of Mitski and cinematic songs. Start with one song tonight: pick a track from the list, transpose it to your comfort key, and post a 30-second vertical clip — tagging the artist when possible. We can’t wait to see how you haunt the mic.