Rose Sinister: Vampires

The early 2000’s graphic novel “Life Sucks” is a gem for anyone obsessed with Y2K nostalgia- but like most nostalgic things from the early aughts, the story has more than a few “yikes” moments.   Join me as I deconstruct the impact of the Columbine High School Shooting on the American goth scene, learn some fascinating True Facts about blood plasma, and stumble down a rabbit hole of personal history, for good and for ill.   I hope you enjoy the second episode of the 4th season of Rose Sinister: Vampires.

One of the most memorable, influential, and frightening vampire novels of the 20th century, Stephen King’s 1975 novel “Salem’s Lot” can be approached through many lenses.    Re-reading the novel in the midst of the largest global pandemic of the last 100 years revealed new insights to me that I did not anticipate discovering, when I first encountered the novel in my early 20’s.    Rose Sinister Vampires is now proudly sponsored by Endless Night Productions, connecting the vampire world through creative, immersive events, from virtual gahterings to intimate salons to the grand Halloween Ball in New Orleans- will you be in attendance? Tickets to Endless Night Events are available at EndlessNight.com   This year, I am excited to announce that I will also be in attendance at the upcoming Court of Babylon in Las Vegas, NV on May 20th. Information about the vampiric Court of Babylon can be found online at CourtOfBabylon.com   Season 4 of Rose Sinister: Vampires is officially afoot!    

Apologies for the less-than-stellar sound quality folks, we had a couple of last-minute snafus (which ought to be expected when one has put off uploading any new episodes for a yea), and we've got a slight delay in editing and polishing episode 1 of season 4.    Since I promised that the season would start today, the Ides of March (honestly, what was I thinking?), here's a rundown of what the season is going to look like.   In a lot of ways I'm starting from scratch here after a tumultuous year. We all know 2020 wasn't kind. In a few more hours, my episode on Salem's Lot will be up, but while you wait (patiently, I hope), here's a teaser.   Hello Friends. This is not the podcast you were looking for.   Due to an unfortunate series of last-minute snafus, the first episode of this season, Salem’s Lot, has been delayed by about 12 hours or so- not long, I promise! But I didn’t want to not release anything on the day I promised to, so I thought I’d use this opportunity to give you a rundown on what vampire stories you can expect me to cover for the next several months.   First up, very shortly I’ll be dropping an in-depth analysis of the 1075 Stephen King Novel, Salem’s Lot. I won’t be going into the 1979 TV miniseries so much, but maybe, if I get enough requests, I can do a small supplemental episode about the significance of the ways the TV adaptation diverges from the novel, and what those changes mean to any critical analysis of the story. I’ve had an idea for a while to release small episodes in between the big drops, so if that’s something you’d personally like to see, do reach out on social media and let me know.    Next, we’re going to be moving to a Friday release schedule beginning March 26th with the release of my deep dive of the indie vampire graphic novel, “Life Sucks.” I’ve been working on this one for almost a year, actually. If you like the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show, you might find the graphic novel worth hunting down and reading. I quite enjoyed it.   On April 9th I’ll be talking about Martin, George Romero’s take on the vampire genre. His take is deeply rooted in folklore in a way that few other modern vampire films have been, and I’m excited to tackle it. If you’re interested in a supplemental episode discussing various forms of undead creatures in mythologthy that have made their way into pop culture, from zombies to vampires to dragur, again, let me know. I think that might be fun but I’ll only add supplemental episodes if I get enough feedback   April 23rd’s episode will be all about Christoper Moore’s 1995 novel, Bloodsucking Fiends. It’s shocking to me to contend with the fact that this quirky gem of a vampire romantic comedy has had its 25th anniversary come and go already- it was definitely a book that was highly influential on me as a babybat vampire fan and scholar, and I hope all of you enjoy a bit of 90’s nostalgia alongside me.   Moving into May, I’m going to be doing a two-parter of sorts, with an episode concerning  Bill Gunn’s 1973 underrated black vampire classic romance, “Ganja and Hess” dropping on May 7th, which will be followed up with an episode about Spike Lee’s 2015 remake, “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus” on May 21st. There’s a lot to be said about the pointed symbolism both filmmakers use in their own versions of the same story. I know you won’t be disappointed to learn more about that.   June 4th I’ll be revisiting an episode I covered all the way back in my podcast’s first season in 2018: a much more nuanced and in-depth analysis of the 1987 classic vampire film, “Near Dark.” So many of you have asked me for more information on that movie, and I am more than happy to oblige.   Another vampire story I’ve been asked to cover time and again is Gerorge R R Martin’s “vampire on the Mississippi” steamboat horror novel, “Fever Dream.” We all know that Martin can write tension, tragedy, and and heartbreak into the most fantastical stories, and Fevre Dream is no exception. If you liked well, the first few seasons of Game of Thrones anyway, I think you’ll really enjoy submerging yourself into the world building of Fevre Dream, as well. That episode drops June 18th.   Finally, on July 2nd and 17th, I’ll be releasing a much-anticipated 2-part deep dive into the world of Vampire: the Masquerade. There’s honestly just so much to say about this enormously popular RPG that I know I won’t be able to cover everything in 2 episodes, but I’ll be interviewing individuals with insight into the game over the years as part of my research process, and my Patreon supporters will get access to as many of those interviews as I am given permission to share. Definitely let me know if you have any specific questions you want answered in those episodes, because while a lot of the work is already done, I’ll do my best to accommodate any burning questions you might have.   After that, I’ll be taking the months of August and September off. That’s the height  hurricane season here on the Gulf of Mexico, so I’ll be taking a bit of downtime and working on the second have of 2021’s episodes of Rose Sinister: Vampires, returning in October, 2021.   And that’s it! Again, you only have to wait a little bit longer for my episode on Salem’s Lot. Until then, I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into upcoming episodes. If you’d like to avoid spoilers, please remember that none of my podcast episodes are spoiler-free, so be sure to get a head start on the stories before I cover them.   You can keep in touch with me online at Rose Sinister.com. I’m on instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and now- TikTok! I’ve also been planning a foray into Twitch for the longest time now- I’ve already reserved the Username Rose sinister which i use for all social media accounts, and you can expect some announcements about the Twitch channel in the next few months.    Remember, vampires may or may not have reflections, but their stories do. Their stories, of course, are reflections of us.    It’s good to be back.   Rose   www.rosesinister.com

Is it a vampire movie, or a movie about an unkillable ancient cannibal who consumes blood to take the edge off of his hunger for human flesh?   Whatever your thoughts on whether or not He Never Died is a vampire movie, it IS a story that delves into concepts such as ennui and depression, the challenges of sobriety, and gnawing questions about the existence of god that invite the inevitable questions about good and evil and the possibility for redemption, which means that this bleak, bloody, nihilistic film is exactly the kind of vampire story Rose Sinister likes to sink her teeth into, this time with an extra helping of Biblical exegesis with help from my friend and fellow vampire nerd, Rabbi Uriarte.   That’s right. I consulted a Rabbi on this episode for you, dear readers. All errors in pronunciation and interpretation are entirely my own, however.   This was a fun episode to make, and while it’s been delated by travel, Mardi Gras, and my own bout with Covid-19, it’s here at last, and a lot more content on the way, since what better time than quarantine and lockdown than to work on new content to be published from here on out?   The delay in publishing this episode has also allowed me to hammer out details with this podcast’s new sponsor, EndlessNight.com : welcoming the vampire world by keeping Endless Night culture alive   The transcript for this episode has already been shared with my Patreon Patrons, and will be available on my website, rosesinister.com, in about a week or so. If you’d like first dibs on my episode transcripts, or access to other fun, exclusive features, consider supporting me on Patreon, patreon.com/rosesinister.   Support from my patrons and sponsors help make this podcast possible. Thank you for listening and sharing.

It's the second week of January 2020, so here's the first episode of season 3 of Rose Sinister: Vampires, all about Elizabeth Kostova's 2005 novel "The Historian," which ruminates on history, evil, and Dracula.    If you like these episodes, please consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RoseSinister    

Surprise, fans!  On the 3rd day of January, 2020, I give you... the final episode of the truncated second season of Rose Sinister: Vampires, an episode that is literally so many months overdue that I had to go back and re-edit out some of the stuff that was no longer relevant. Astute listeners will easily find the spot I didn't edit out.    THERE WILL BE A SEASON3! It is in the works and currently fairly far along. Season 3 will be more like season 1 was: regular uploads every 2 weeks. 

Polyamorous vampire communes from space. What makes a vampire a vampire? When vampires and their prey have a symbiotic relationship, who is addicted to who? Also, melanin is a vampire superpower in the 4th episode of season 2 of Rose Sinister: Vampires.    Join me as I examine the life of sci-fi writer Octavia Butler, her strange vampire novel Fledgling, and why I am so committed to going beyond the obvious on this podcast.    Spoiler alert: if the phrase "Black Lives Matter" makes you angry, you won't like this episode.   Halloween is fast approaching and if you're going to be coming to town for Endless Night, use the code "RoseSinisterNOLA2019" when you checkout online.    Even if you won't be at the ball, but you will be in New Orleans, keep an eye out for me in the French Quarter the entire month of October. I'll have special in-person only Rose Sinister merch and goodies to hand out to anyone who finds me and says hello,   Support me on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/RoseSinister Or Buy some cool merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/rosesinister

I'm back from a long, much needed, self-imposed hiatus, and excited to be in the thick of creating and publishing content again. This episode, lucky number 13 (!!!) is a bit on the long side, but it covers some important historical ground that I felt was really helpful in understanding this 2010 German film with the contextual nuance that I, a sometimes embarrassingly ignorant American, didn't grasp the first time, or even the first three times I watched this film.   Knowing what I know now about the German history and cultural identity alluded to by the filmmakers when creating this vampire movie, I find it so much more enjoyable than I initially did- although I'm terribly disappointed that I couldn't get my hands on a simply subtitled version, and had to make do with the dubbed version for my own research, and the perspective of my German friends who could point out the places where the over-dubbing over-simplified or mangled the script somewhat. If anyone knows of a good English-language subtitled version of this film, without the dubbing, let me know.   I'm starting to experiment with some sponsorship shoutouts in this episode. The truth is, even with Patreon, this podcast doesn't exactly pay for itself yet, and acknowledging the individuals and businesses who have given me so much support in this endeavor is the least I can do.   If you'd like to support Straight Outta the Coffin, head on over to www.straightouttathecoffin.com and be sure to use the code "rosesinister" at checkout for 10% off. I've got an enamel pin that lives on my work purse, and I've got my eyes on a couple of their t-shirts, as well. Thankfully here in New Orleans, it's t-shirt weather pretty much year-round, but they also look great layered over long-sleeve tops as well.   And hey, don't forget that there's also official Rose sinister Merch available on my Etsy store, https://www.etsy.com/shop/rosesinister. I'm going to be offering some cooler weather items soon for our listeners in the Northern Hemisphere, and some seasonal summer items for all you Antipodeans. Be sure to send me a message if there's a particular item you're dying t get your claws on, that I don't offer- yet.    And finally- look, I know AirBnB is a controversial subject, especially in cities like Los Angeles or New Orleans with staggering housing costs and rising homeless populations, but there are still AirBnB's that offer incredible accommodations and whose owner/operators live on-site, and The Scarlet Dahlia in Downtown Los Angeles is exactly one such listing. I am obsessed with this AirBnB and consider it my "home away from home" when visiting LA- especially since Colette, the owner, is such a wonderful supporter of the Rose Sinister podcast. I hesitate to share my secret! But I also want Colette to get lots of awesome guests! If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles, check out her AirBnB listing at https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/plus/18793627?source_impression_id=p3_1565036537_bt9%2FETbcNgQTnxjY or look her up on Instagram

1998's vampire hunting summer blockbuster, "Blade," actually has quite a bit more to say that simply, "vampires bad. Blade kill."   But yes, in this movie, vampires are unambiguously bad guys- but the why might surprise you.   Two online essays helped immeasurably when constructing this episode, and it is with gratitude that I share the links here.   "Daywalkin' Nightstalkin' Bloodsuckas: Black Vampires in Contemporary Film by Francis Gateward https://www.colorado.edu/gendersarchive1998-2013/2004/07/02/daywalkin-night-stalkin-bloodsuckas-black-vampires-contemporary-film   Some Vampires Are Real: Stereotypes and Dominant Fears (Re)presented in the Black Vampire of American Popular Film" by Sarah Broderick http://www.gnovisjournal.org/2011/11/21/sarah-broderick-journal/

Rose Sinister: Vampires is back for season 2, and I'm so excited to feature local New Orleans author and bestselling indie author and Wattpad phenom Alys Arden's post-Katrina novel, "The Casquette Girls."   Borrowing heavily from folklore I, as a professional vampire tour guide am well acquainted with, Arden's novel weaves together real history, folklore, and a thoroughly modern approach to vampires among us.   On this episode, I mentioned a few books that curious listeners might wish to check out, so here are the links:   New Orleans Ghosts, Vampires and Voodoo by Kalila Smith: https://amzn.to/2UKH7lG New Orleans Vampires: History and Legend by Marita Woywod Crandle:https://amzn.to/2TDHjGV   Please note, by clicking on these affiliate links I may receive a small commission, which helps to offset the cost of this podcast project.   For tickets to the Endless Night Vampire Ball and VampireCon, April 19th-21st, 2019, go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/endless-night-vegas-vampire-ball-weekend-vampirecon-2019-tickets-48476514560 Use the code "SinisterVegas2019" for 10% off your ticket price   Also, my Etsy shop is live (but not bug free). Browse, shop, and please let me know if you see anything that doesn't look quite right. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseSinister   One final note: I apologize for some of the background sounds in this episode. They've been doing construction outside and we got a puppy recently. It's been loud and I've done the best I can to minimize the background noises, but there are a handful of distractions throughout the episode. Someday I'll remaster it.    

Rose Sinister:Vampires concludes its first season with the second half of the Dracula season finale two-parter. In this episode, the historical Vlad Dracula is examined, both as a source of inspiration for Bram Stoker, but also for the filmmakers creating Dracula adaptations across the 20th century and into the 21st. What role does religion play in understanding the life and legacy of Dracula, both historic and fictional? And what does the ebb and flow of religiosity in cinematic Dracula entries communicate about larger cultural patterns across that period of time?

Part 1 of the season 1 finale of Rose Sinister: Vampires, this extra-long episode takes some time to point out things you may have missed about Bram Stoker's famous novel, by framing both the creator and his creation in the context of some of the political, artistic, and moral attitudes and aspirations of the late 19th century. Hint: it's about way more than the naughty stuff.

Nearing the end of the first season of Rose Sinister: Vampires, episode 8 examines the impact of faith and culture on the creative process, representation versus appropriation, and the overall impact Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga has had on vampire stories. 

The latest installment of Rose Sinister: Vampires is a deeply personal reflection on a vampire story that had a huge impact on my life- and why sometimes, revisiting the magic of our youth can challenge us to re-examine the stories that shape us. One of the best, and most disturbing, vampire novels ever written, Poppy Z. Brite's shocking 1992 novel, Lost Souls has had a huge impact on the lives of many of its readers. It's not a novel for the faint of heart, and while this episode isn't explicit, it does come with a content warning for disturbing subject matter and, of course, spoilers. I'm particularly interested to know what your thoughts on this novel are, if you read it when you were young, and if you've re-read it as an adult. 

The Sixth installment of season 1 of Rose Sinister: Vampires tackles the 1936 Univeral Pictures film, "Dracula's Daughter." Produced as a point in cinema history when expression to a back seat to moralizing lip service, a film that was shockingly bold for its era comes across as tame and problematic by modern standards. But the themes of Dracula's Daughter would do more to establish the tropes of the modern sympathetic vampire narrative than dear old dad ever did. 

Season 1, episode 5 of of Rose Sinister: Vampires ponders the frightening interplay of innocence and monstrosity at work in the Swedish vampire film, Let The Right One In. This episode does contrain references to the original novel, and the American film, "Let Me In," but overall this episode focuses on the 2008 Swedish film, often called "one of the best vampire movies ever made." There are numerous spoilers in this episode. 

Season 1 of Rose Sinister: Vampires continues with Episode 4: The Lost Boys vs Near Dark. What do these movies say about the decade that produced them, and more specifically, how do the central narratives shift when we examine the perspectives of the female characters throughout each story?

Season 1, Episode 3 of Rose Sinister: Vampires tackles 2003's Underworld, and how a franchise was started. What sort of radical lessons can we take away from its message? And can science actually support the existence of vampires?

Season 1 of Rose Sinister: Vampires continues with Episode 2, a look at the making, and legacy, of 1922's Nosferatu. This episode, and all others that follow, contain spoilers.

Season 1 of Rose Sinister: Vampires kicks off with Episode 1: Interview With the Vampire. How Anne Rice's 1976 novel, told from the perspective of the monster, changed vampire storytelling- and lives. This episode, and all others that follow, contains spoilers.