Category: music

Events, music, Nightlife

FIRA’s “Endless Night” Music Video Releasing on Halloween at the Virtual Endless Night Vampire Ball

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on FIRA’s “Endless Night” Music Video Releasing on Halloween at the Virtual Endless Night Vampire Ball
Vocalist Hannah Fira and guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd (Photo credit: FIRA)
Vocalist Hannah Fira and guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd (Photo credit: Anabel DFlux)

Dance metal band FIRA will be lighting up this Halloween season with a new music video for the single “Endless Night.” It was filmed during their performance at the Los Angeles Endless Night Vampire Ball back in February where they opened for the rock band Orgy. Last fall, I had the opportunity to check out the group’s energy-fueled show at goth club Bar Sinister in Hollywood, California. Nearly a year later, the duo, consisting of vocalist Hannah Fira and guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd, is also preparing to drop their first studio album titled From Vegas With Blood.

Continue reading “FIRA’s “Endless Night” Music Video Releasing on Halloween at the Virtual Endless Night Vampire Ball” →
music, Performing Arts

Spotlight on Midnight Syndicate: Masters of Gothic Melodies

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on Spotlight on Midnight Syndicate: Masters of Gothic Melodies

Photo credit: Midnight Syndicate
Photo credit: Midnight Syndicate

Midnight Syndicate has been haunting the Gothic music landscape for more than 20 years. Members Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka specialize in creating macabre melodies and their collection of work has become the ultimate Halloween soundtrack. With the fall season approaching, I thought it’d be fitting to present a look inside the machinations of the duo, along with a special interview. Continue reading “Spotlight on Midnight Syndicate: Masters of Gothic Melodies” →

music

The Sixth Chamber Brings the Apocalypse with New Single “Blood of the Prophet”

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on The Sixth Chamber Brings the Apocalypse with New Single “Blood of the Prophet”

The Sixth Chamber (Photo credit: Matthew Fields)
The Sixth Chamber (Photo credit: Matthew Fields)

Are you ready to experience Armageddon with The Sixth Chamber? The metal band just dropped a new single titled “Blood of the Prophet” and it’s being dubbed “the soundtrack to the end of the world.” I’m thrilled to share a look at the official lyric video with you all! Prepare to enter an arcane realm where you’ll witness mysteries from the beyond. Continue reading “The Sixth Chamber Brings the Apocalypse with New Single “Blood of the Prophet”” →

Dining & Drink, Events, Film, Lifestyle, Literature, music, Travel

The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day

by Jennifer Vasquez15 Comments on The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day

From left to right: Bram Stoker, Vlad Tepes and Bela Lugosi as Dracula
From left to right: Bram Stoker, Vlad Tepes and Bela Lugosi as Dracula

On May 26th, 1897, Bram Stoker’s notorious novel Dracula was published. More than a century later, the vampire tale has indeed proven to be as immortal as its protagonist. There have been films, TV shows, music, books, art and entertainment events inspired by the Count. Stoker’s work has left such an indelible mark on, not just the literary world, but the creative world in general that there is a day dedicated to it—Dracula Day. There are many ways to celebrate and following you will find ideas for how to throw a fangtastic vampire soiree, whether alone or with others! Continue reading “The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day” →

Fashion, Lifestyle, music

Growing Up Goth: Finding My Self Within the Subculture

by Jennifer Vasquez16 Comments on Growing Up Goth: Finding My Self Within the Subculture

Vamp Jenn's Corner

How does one know they’re goth? I can’t recall a specific incident that brought me to this realization. There wasn’t some grand transformation that happened, although it would be more exciting to say I underwent a dramatic change similar to Anne Rice’s vampires. These characters shed their mortal shell in a painful process; even their bowels are emptied of all human waste. No, nothing of the sort happened when I began identifying with the goth subculture. The shift for me was subtle, but my family noticed my all-black apparel, heavy use of black eyeliner and polish, and unusual taste in music.

Here’s my coming of “dark age” story of how I found my place within this alternative group and discovered my true colors—black, black and black. Continue reading “Growing Up Goth: Finding My Self Within the Subculture” →

Fashion, Lifestyle, music

Do You Know Your Goth ABCs?

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on Do You Know Your Goth ABCs?

Photo by Matheus Farias
Photo by Matheus Farias

You’ve seen us lurking in the shadows, clad in black, listening to dark tunes and exuding a sense of mystery. We’re goths and there’s more to us than meets the eye. The goth subculture is multifaceted and not a teenage phase. In an ode to Goth Day that is on the 22nd of this month, I wanted to offer an introductory course on this dark and beautiful community. Let’s call it Goth 101. I’ve combed through the alphabet selecting words that are related to the subculture to provide deeper insight.

Ready to begin your lesson? Class is now in session. Continue reading “Do You Know Your Goth ABCs?” →

Lifestyle, music, Spiritual

Exorcising Demons with Dark Ambient Sound Bath

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on Exorcising Demons with Dark Ambient Sound Bath

Photo by Tom Martinez Jr.
Photo by Tom Martinez Jr.

What if I told you that we are all demonically possessed? What if I revealed that an exorcism can be performed by someone who is not a Catholic priest or man? That you can experience the exorcism of your own evil spirits?

Drawing on ritualistic practices and Jungian psychological methods, Dark Ambient Sound Bath provides a healing space that welcomes all who are broken, damaged and tormented. The mantra is, “Redefining wellness by exploring the shadow within,” and it is these inner shadows that you will confront and purge during the experience. Continue reading “Exorcising Demons with Dark Ambient Sound Bath” →

Events, Lifestyle, music, Nightlife

Endless Night Los Angeles Vampire Ball 2020 Edition

by Jennifer Vasquez13 Comments on Endless Night Los Angeles Vampire Ball 2020 Edition

Endless Night Los Angeles Vampire Ball
Endless Night Los Angeles Vampire Ball

For the third consecutive year, I attended the notorious soiree for nocturnal, fanged creatures—the Endless Night Vampire Ball at the historic Globe Theatre in the City of Angels. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may have read my accounts of past years’ festivities. The event offers new forms of entertainment when it comes to town and making this occasion all the more memorable was that it was the first vampire ball of, not only 2020, but of the decade. Here’s a look at what transpired. Continue reading “Endless Night Los Angeles Vampire Ball 2020 Edition” →

music, Nightlife, Performing Arts

A Night of Goth Metal with The Sixth Chamber

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on A Night of Goth Metal with The Sixth Chamber

band-pic2

For nearly two decades, The Sixth Chamber has been gracing the metal music scene with heavy riffs, mesmerizing rhythms and haunting lyrics that transport listeners to a dark, mythological realm. The band’s sound delivers an intoxicating blend of 70s rock, psychedelia and goth metal interspersed with exotic embellishments. I got to see these self-declared “denizens of otherworldly realms” perform live recently at the iconic Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip for an energy-fueled show. Continue reading “A Night of Goth Metal with The Sixth Chamber” →

Events, music, Nightlife

Metal Band FIRA Ignites at Bar Sinister

by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments on Metal Band FIRA Ignites at Bar Sinister

Metal band FIRA performs live at Bar Sinister
Metal band FIRA performs live at Bar Sinister

“We are made of music and fire!”

This is part of the manifesto of fantasy metal band FIRA who hails from Hollywood, California. The group’s latest show at goth club Bar Sinister gave the crowd a dose of heavy beats mixed with vampiric whimsy. It was my first time seeing the band live and it was thrilling! Continue reading “Metal Band FIRA Ignites at Bar Sinister” →