Author: Jennifer Vasquez

I'm a writer and an avid reader. I was classically trained in voice years ago and once aspired to become an opera singer. I enjoy immersing myself in music, from classical to goth rock tunes. I'm fascinated with vampires, all things spooky, vintage style and old Hollywood films. My website covers events, people, places and topics that embody all that is odd and macabre.
music

Macabre Shoutout: Black Rose Moves Releases New Song “Ghost Town”

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on Macabre Shoutout: Black Rose Moves Releases New Song “Ghost Town”
Grant Leon and Mark Neat of Black Rose Moves
Grant Leon and Mark Neat of Black Rose Moves

Hot on the heels of their debut single “Summer of Sorrow,” Black Rose Moves has released another track for your summer listening pleasure, “Ghost Town.”  If this is your first time learning about the band, allow me to introduce you. The group hails from Birmingham, UK, and consists of Grant Leon and Mark Neat. Their music embraces darkwave and post-punk sounds, exuding rhythms that are easy to dance to. Here’s a closer look at their new song.

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Events, halloween

Midsummer Scream Slays Another Summerween

by Jennifer Vasquez12 Comments on Midsummer Scream Slays Another Summerween
Vamp Jenn at Midsummer Scream
Vamp Jenn at Midsummer Scream

Halloween was in full swing at Midsummer Scream! While I’ve made a tradition of attending this event annually, this year was the first time I purchased VIP Gold Bat Passes for the entire weekend. I was prowling the Halloween and horror convention Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. Plus, I attended the Saturday night afterparty, which was another first for me. Get ready for lots of details and pictures.

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entertainment, Events, halloween

Dark Harbor Returns to Haunt The Queen Mary

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on Dark Harbor Returns to Haunt The Queen Mary
Photo credit: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor/Thirteenth Floor
Photo credit: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor/Thirteenth Floor

Spooky season 2024 witnesses the return of Dark Harbor aboard the Queen Mary. After a three-year hiatus, the Halloween festival is rising from the grave and is aptly themed, “The Spirits Rise.” Many were excited when the news was announced on April 30th, which is Walpurgis Night and the halfway to Halloween mark. It’s no doubt one of the most highly anticipated events happening this fall.

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halloween, holidays, Lifestyle

Countdown to Halloween 2024 Guide

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Countdown to Halloween 2024 Guide
Photo credit: Marko Blažević via Unsplash

So here in the U.S., many have deemed the day after the Fourth of July the official start to spooky season. And, why not? There are no other major holidays that happen in the states until October. I noticed tons of people take to social media on July 5th announcing the official countdown to Halloween. It made me giddy! It also signaled that it’s time to release my annual Countdown to Halloween Guide, which I tend to publish around the 100-day mark on July 23rd (because that’s also a big deal in the Halloween community). While not an exhaustive list, I’ve compiled information regarding shopping, costumes, music, events and more. Happy Haunting!

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Events, occult, spirituality

Exploring the Left Hand Path With Shea Bilé

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on Exploring the Left Hand Path With Shea Bilé
Shea Bilé's The Religion of Satan lecture
Shea Bilé’s The Religion of Satan lecture

I began to stray from my Catholic upbringing and explore other spiritual beliefs as a teen. There was something lacking in my religious education and so I found enlightenment elsewhere. It began with an interest in ancient religions and witchcraft. Then, my teenage self was in absolute awe when I learned there was a Church of Satan and that was how I was introduced to the occult. As I’ve evolved spiritually over the years, I’ve sustained a connection with the Left Hand Path. When I discovered The Crooked Path was featuring a series on the subject with Shea Bilé, who’s an authority on esotericism, I had to attend.

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music

Mörksugga Creates a Cryptic Universe in His Debut Dark Ambient & Industrial Album ‘Så Småningom Tar Allting Slut’

by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments on Mörksugga Creates a Cryptic Universe in His Debut Dark Ambient & Industrial Album ‘Så Småningom Tar Allting Slut’
Mörksugga
Mörksugga 

Dark soundscapes are emanating from Scandinavian lands, generated by Mörksugga. This one-man band was formed by Ulrik who’s based in Sweden and has been involved in the music scene since he was a teen. He recently released his first full-length album titled Så Småningom Tar Allting Slut, which translates to “eventually, everything ends.” The work is riveting and has a pounding intensity that persists from start to finish.

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music

Castle De Crux Releases New EP ‘Demons We Create’ & Single “So Many Monsters” + Special Interview

by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments on Castle De Crux Releases New EP ‘Demons We Create’ & Single “So Many Monsters” + Special Interview
Elysia De Crux and Exor Magus De Crux
Elysia De Crux and Exor Magus De Crux

Much of the music that is popular in mainstream media and plays on radio stations appears to adhere to a fixed formula dominated by monotonous themes and superficiality. So, listening to a group like Castle De Crux is quite revitalizing and enlightening. The band’s debut EP, Demons We Create, and new single “So Many Monsters” aren’t afraid to deviate from the norm and explore the shadows that society attempts to hide.

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Art, Culture, Dining & Drink, entertainment, Travel

The Ultimate Spooky Travel Guide to Long Beach, California

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on The Ultimate Spooky Travel Guide to Long Beach, California
Vamp Jenn's Spooky Travel Guide to Long Beach, CA
Vamp Jenn’s Spooky Travel Guide to Long Beach, CA

Within Los Angeles County, there’s a city filled with spooky things to do—Long Beach. This SoCal city is where I grew up and holds a special place in my black heart. While there are many creepy activities and events sprawled across LA, I wanted to hone in on this slice of the California coast. I figured it’s time I create a travel guide to the LBC, mapping out macabre places you must check out. Whether you’re a visitor or local who’s pining for new spots to discover, this list is brimming with spooky finds and is meant for the traveler who appreciates the darkness.

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entertainment, Events

The Boulet Brothers’ ‘Dragula’ Season 5 Tour Recap: A Night of Dark Magic

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on The Boulet Brothers’ ‘Dragula’ Season 5 Tour Recap: A Night of Dark Magic

The Boulet Brothers have worked their dark magic yet again and put on an amazing show for the LA stop of their Dragula season 5 tour. The fifth season finalists include Blackberri, Orkgotik, Throb Zombie and winner of the Super Monster title, Niohuru X. The wicked coven has been touring across the U.S. for the past month and has been joined by various special guests along the way. Here’s a recap of the night!

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music

Ulvtharm Unleashes a Post-Apocalyptic Soundscape in New Album ‘7 Uthras’

by Jennifer VasquezLeave a Comment on Ulvtharm Unleashes a Post-Apocalyptic Soundscape in New Album ‘7 Uthras’
Jouni Ollila of Ulvtharm
Jouni Ollila of Ulvtharm

When you play 7 Uthras, be prepared to enter a post-apocalyptic world where shadows prevail. This is the second album by Ulvtharm, a musical project from the creative mind of Jouni Ollila, who is also the co-founder of the black industrial group MZ 412. In this new work, he constructs a decaying landscape where all hope is seemingly lost for humanity. The amalgamation of dark ambient and industrial sounds delivers an enigmatic and cinematic listening experience.   

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