Last week we began our  new weekly interview series "Dissecting Fear" where we discuss childhood experiences and memories with horror films as well as what we want out of today's horror films. Today we continue exploring those same questions with artist Travis Falligant. Travis is a gifted illustrator who is well known for his "Lost Mysteries" series of drawings where he blended classic Scooby Doo gang images with classic horror villains, it is these along with his penchant for stylized charicature work that captures a characters essence perfectly that really makes his work stand out and be something special. Travis contributed an awesome Patrick Bateman from American Psycho portrait for our Art Show last Halloween and has always been a supporter of our site.We are really appreciative to have him participate in this series of interviews while being able to showcase some more of his art. 

Travis Falligant/
Terminator inspired David from "The Guest"

Lost Mysteries "Daphne meets Leatherface" by Travis Falligant

As a child what horror film and/or character scared you the most and why do you feel they had this effect on you.

I remember sneaking downstairs when I was younger and saw my dad watching Body Double on cable. It was the part where the Indian Driller Killer was killing the woman. It scared the shit outta me! Freddy Krueger also scared me when I was younger (I had a thing for being scared of melty faced, hook nosed monsters I guess). I think both of those characters freaked me out because they were stalking their prey and their facial features and evil grimaces were terrifying!

Do you have an example telling of an instance or two where this fear really manifested itself and had an impact on you and your behavior? 

I had night terrors when I was younger for a number of years. I could hear my parents watching scary movies in the bedroom and having nightmares based on the screams and sounds from the tv they were watching. I have a very wild imagination. When I say night terrors, I mean bolting up in my bed, screaming my little lungs out night terrors.

What VHS covers or horror movie posters scared you as a kid and why do you feel the poster or cover had that effect on you?

Ummm...there were SO MANY great horror movie VHS covers and posters. I remember asking my dad when we were going to see Indiana Jones and I first saw the Nightmare on Elm Street poster where the claw was over the girls head. He told me it was a bear claw to make it seem more innocent (yeah right). That poster left an impression. Going to the video store, the poster for "Fright Night", the 1972 Sally Field slasher "Home for the Holidays" and "Mother's Day (original) stick out in my head as ones that frightened me as well as intrigued me. 

Do you have a specific example of a time you may remember that you have come across one of these and it had that effect on you when you were younger? 

I remember when i went to the local Circuit City where they were renting VHS tapes (yeah go figure) and saw the Mother's Day box. The Front Graphic was so insane to me and I looked at the sparse photos on the back and was even more intrigued  and frightened because I didn't know what the movie inside the box would show. How depraved the contents of the film would be.

What is your definition of "scary" when it comes to modern horror films these days? So many people are quick to say a film isn't scary but each person ha sa different definition of what scary means.

So many films rely on violence or loud jump scares to be "scary". For a movie to be scary these days, it's all about the story. Is it a compelling one? Are the situations relatable? Does the film use tension to build the scares? 

What is a modern horror film you would say actually scared you?

The last modern horror film I can remember that truly frightened me was Session 9. I am talking goosebumps and hairs raising on my arm scary.

What do you NOT consider scary or not like in your horror films?

Exorcism films, ghost/supernatural films (for the most part) zombie films. I'm over all of those. NOT scary and too played out these days. 

What do you look for/to get out of horror films these days? 

I tell ya, these days, I look for an 80's aesthetic in horror films. Stuff like "It Follows". I think it's because of my age and the fact that I attribute a lot of my fear from movies of my generation. It's a total nostalgia thing I guess. 

What is your favorite recent horror film and why? 

It Follows poster design by Travis Falligant

It Follows. For it's creativity on a small budget. For it's ability to pull thrills and scares from it's premise (call it a hokey one or a simple one). The mood, settings, music, EVERYTHING worked in that film for me. Everything. 

Lastly, do you feel there is a certain way or mindset to have to watch a horror film as far as it being effectively frightening?

I think it's subjective. What we fear is very specific to one's life experiences, phobias, etc. For something to be effectively frightening, it has to tap into the individual's fears. My fears may be different than yours. The most successful horror films tap into a universal fear of something.

We would like to thank Travis again for his participation in this interview and have posted some more of his artwork as well as links where you can see more below. 

Jaws versus Michael Myers

Nancy Thompson from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and Jay Height from "It Follows" by Travis Falligant

Terminator by Travis Falligant

Pamela Voorhees by Travis Falligant

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Be sure to check out more of Travis' work for sale at the following link: webstore 

And see much more on his Instagram and twitter accounts: @ibtrav

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Fear is something we all first experience in some shape or form at a young age. Whether it be the fear of the dark, fear of sleeping alone, and of course the dreaded monster under the bed. As children we are at our most impressionable and our imagination knows no boundaries, so you never know just what might make the wrong impression in terms of frightening you and you may not even know why it had such an effect on you. You just know you don't like it and want to stay away from it. As adult horror fans, we seek out the fear, anticipating and hoping for it whenever we watch a new film or enter that haunt during October. We crave the experience of being scared and the rush that comes with it. Fear and horror go hand in hand, yet no matter how creepy the latest film is or how cool the new poster for it looks, there is nothing like that fear you felt as a child when watching those first horror films or coming across that eerie VHS cover art.

One of the main things I wanted to focus on when I started this site was to put a personal spin on things when possible, especially when it came to talking about films and my experience with them, particularly associating my memories of my youth with their first time viewings and how those shaped and informed my likes and dislikes today. I find it supremely interesting to delve into just what makes something scary to someone as horror fans are such a finicky bunch, that we all have different tastes and expectations when it comes to what a horror film should be. I wanted to further explore this subject by reaching out to other horror fans who are invested in the genre in many different ways, and learning about their early experiences when it came to the combination of fear and horror films. So I came up with a list of questions and will be asking those same questions to all of the participants. I am excited to share these interviews with you all as I feel they will bring a personal touch to the site and help you better understand your fellow horror fan. This week for our first "Dissecting Fear" interview, we are honored to have Fright Rags founder Ben Scrivens, who was kind enough to take time out from his busy schedule and delve into a bit of his history with horror.

As a child what horror film and/or horror character scared you the most and why do you feel they had this effect on you?
I suppose most of the main iconic characters spooked me out at least once or twice as a kid. However the one that got me the most was Michael Myers. As a child, he scared me more than anyone and was the reason I started liking the genre.

Do you have an example telling of an instance where this fear really manifested itself and had an impact on you and your behavior?
Since there was a span of about 7 years between Halloween films that featured Myers, I grew up watching the original Halloween and the sequel for the most part, I recall one time when I was 10, having watched those back to back and not being able to sleep all night because I kept picturing him coming into my room. I ended up sleeping on my parents' bedroom floor.

What VHS covers or horror movie posters scared you as a kid and why do you feel the poster or cover had this effect on you? 
What affected me most were the posters and standees in video stores. Films like Prom Night 2, Child's Play, Hellraiser, any A Nightmare On Elm Street or Friday the 13th film; they all intrigued me. Of course just browsing through the horror section at any video store. That's why we have a VHS video wall at the office with all our horror VHS lined up...it brings back fond memories.

Do you have a specific example of a time you may remember that you have come across one of these and it had that effect on you when you were younger?
I don't recall any in particular, just the excitement of walking into a video store or theater and seeing a poster of what was being released soon. Those are some of my most vivid memories.

What is your definition of "scary" when it comes to modern horror films these days? So many people are quick to say a film isn't scary, but each person has a different definition of just what "scary" means. 
I think scary should be timeless. Many films seem to overuse modern techniques in an effort to "scare" audiences but it just comes off as cheap. That has been happening for decades though. But the ones that cut through and are scary to me are the ones that focus on atmosphere and not just effects.

What is a modern horror film you would say actually scared you?
"Insidious" was a film in recent memory that scared me in the theaters. While it shares many of the hallmarks of modern ghost films, I felt that it established mood and atmosphere quite effectively so that any effects complemented that, rather than were the main focus. Well, at least until "Darth Maul" came in at the end! Another recent film I enjoyed was "It Follows". While it didn't scare me, it really set a mood that stuck with me afterward. That is a sign of a good film to me.

What do you NOT consider scary or not like in your horror films?
Any film with no heart that just tries to cash in on trends to make a quick buck.

What do you look for or want to get out of horror films these days?
I don't look for much - just to be entertained. If it makes me think, great. If it's just fun and entertaining, great. If I done with the film and felt that I would not want to see it again or that I was bored, then I'm not a fan. I'm pretty easy to please. I don't think there will be anything that comes close to the films of my youth - not because they were somehow better - but because of the time I watched them. We all have this yearning for days gone by that gets us all nostalgic when we talk about watching horror films as kids. I don't expect  that to happen again watching a movie as an adult. There have been times it has come close, but nothing gives me the same feeling as a movie like "Halloween" or "Night of the Living Dead" do, because of all the memories attached to those films.

What is your favorite recent horror film and why?
I've really enjoyed a few recent ones like The Babadook, It Follows, and Starry Eyes. While they are different films, I felt each one really focused on mood and atmosphere. It's too early to call them classics, but I think they are some of the better films to have come out in recent years.

Lastly, do you feel there is a certain way or mindset to have to watch a horror film as far as it being effectively frightening.
I have to go into a film with no pre-conceived notions, for example, if I am expecting to be scared, I will be let down. I remember seeing "Stir of Echoes" in theaters and not expecting much and was quite frightened by it. It didn't hold up on video, but in the theaters it really got me.
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Be sure to check out the Fright Rags website where you can see all of their awesome and original horror shirts and products. 

Full Disclosure up front, I am not the biggest fan of the Scream series overall. I do genuinely love the first one and still remember fondly the night me and my friends went to go see it for the first time. It was a refreshing horrific blast and everyone was into it. It at the time saved horror as well as damned it in a sense that everything that followed, stuck to the Scream template. The sequels at the time of their release were certainly enjoyable for what they were and there is no denying that the Ghostface costume itself is a horror icon even if it's rep has been tarnished by the goofy appearance it takes on in the Scary Movie films. Still as much good as I can say about the first film, there is twice as much bad as I can say about the 3 sequels that followed. With each sequels killer reveal growing increasingly silly, they lacked the excitement and even care that the first was handled with. They each certainly had their moments, but overall I find them to be not so great. Still with that being said, I have no problem with any horror fans loving them. I can totally see why fans of the series like it, regardless of my appreciation or lack thereof for it's sequels. The one thing the Scream films always had going for them, were characters you could relate to and or root for. Whether you were a fan of Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott, Jamie Kennedy's film geek Randy, David Arquette's bumbling yet heroic police deputy Dewey or Courtney Cox's bitchy yet somehow still likable reporter Gale Weathers, there was someone you could grasp on to and take interest in to see how they would deal with the events that were unfolding. Even for myself, as a person who doesn't hold the series in high regard, I like all those characters and was always interested to see what they would be up to in the next installments. They were the heart and soul of the series and you didn't want to see them get offed by Ghostface. Which brings us to my thoughts on MTV's SCREAM: The Series.

When it was announced that MTV would be bringing Scream to the small screen, I originally thought to myself, well that can't be a good idea being that it's MTV yet it can't be any worse than Scream 4 was, can it? To provide you with further context let me provide you with my thoughts on part 4. I was actually pretty excited when it was announced, I was there opening day to see it and was supremely let down, mostly because I really was hoping for something that would help align it with the grimmer style of horror that had become so popular, and was hoping to see a slightly more serious and menacing take on Ghostface, as I felt there is still alot of potential with that costume,character and setting. What I got was nothing at all like that, it was bloody sure, but it was also extremely goofy and too cute for it's own good with all the excessive focus on being meta and webcams, etc. I totally get the intention and the statement they were trying to make with it, I just feel it was handled so clumsily and the ultimate reveal was so underwhelming and "silly" that I just checked out. So part of me probably thought maybe THIS will be the way to get the Ghostface and Scream story I was hoping for in part 4. Well, I could not have been more wrong.

As much as I disliked Scream 4, at least it had a few real new characters who's personality, in addition to the series stars of Campbell, Arquette and Cox were interesting. Which brings us back (finally) to this new TV incarnation of Scream. The first GLARING problem with his new series is the characters, I didn't buy them at all. I did not buy them as high schoolers, I did not buy them as friends and I did't even buy them as actual people. Aside from probably the one character Audrey (who for some reason carries a video camera with her like the kid from American Beauty) played by Bex Taylor-Klaus, the rest of the bunch are just a terrible collection of way too old, one note cliches, who as of this first episode couldn't even breathe any new life into said cliches. Granted nobody in the original film really screamed high schooler either, and whomever was responsible for assembling this cast might have been forgiven for casting far to mature looking had they actually got some actors with personalities that stood out. I cannot recall a more bland, unlikable cast, which is funny as the Randy-esque character Noah goes on a diatribe about how we are supposed to care about these cliche'd characters for a horror tale that revolves around them to work. Well I certainly did not, not in the least. It is the cast that was the major failure for me in this show, nothing felt real or organic and thats a problem that can come with an MTV production.

I haven't even touched on the actual STORY of Scream the series yet. No longer is Woodsboro the focus or main setting and I would have been okay with that since the sequels ventured outside of it before returning home in 4, but I watched the episode and still can't remember where this new story takes place, I DO remember some bizarre inclusion of a backstory of some deformed killer with an elephant man complex who terrorized this new town many years ago. It was such a weirdly out of place concept to throw into the mix and I am not sure I will be sticking around to see how it pays off or plays out, but we do get a "someone grabbed me from under the water in the lake scene" that would feel much more at home in Friday the 13th than Scream. There are some threads set up to try to make us wonder who the killer may be and that is done successfully enough aside from the fact that I honestly didn't even care because everything else that accompanied it in this episode was so damn dull. I can't leave out my thoughts on the new killer who I don't even know if we can refer to them as Ghostface because well, they have a brand new mask that is not Ghostface, but still doesn't look quite as bad or as blow up dollish as it did in the promo photo it released. It wasn't bad, but their "voice" was a poor man's impression of the orginal Ghostface voice which is iconic in it's own right. Still this new killer didn't do enough in this episode either, except ripoff the Drew Barrymore murder from the first one in a sequence that in all honesty was probably the highlight of the show, yet still was not anywhere near as effective as the original scene it was ripping off. Not to mention there is a big loose end from that scene that is never mentioned again and I am hoping that is on purpose because if not, it is simply laughable how that could be overlooked.

Overall I was skeptical on this new take on the Scream concept, especially with it being an MTV production. I went in with zero expectations and turned out to be still disappointed. To give you an idea of how much I disliked this show, I generally never bother to write negative reviews for the site, to me it's just a waste of time. However "SCREAM" is a big deal for horror fans, and a show based on that should be as well. There is plenty of potential for a GOOD and REAL Scream series, but I am pretty certain this won't be it. Time will tell if it gets better, but I am pretty sure by that point I won't care or bother to find out.

It's been just over four years since the first Insidious film hit theaters and turned a relatively small 1.5 million dollar budget into a worldwide gross of over 97 million. I still remember sitting down in the theater having no real clue what I was getting into as I stayed away from the trailers as I often try to do. It was a great movie going experience, the crowd was into it and there were plenty of screams throughout. I remember thinking what an unexpected yet pleasant surprise it was that I found so much of it to be extremely creepy. The cast was great, with Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne lending the film and it's proceedings plenty of credibility. Even when things could have gone horribly wrong with the introduction of Elise (played by the always reliable Lin Shaye) and the comedic ghost hunting duo of Specs and Tucker, the film still managed to hit all the right marks and leave a lasting impression. I was sure to tell everyone that would listen to check it out and mostly everyone that did enjoyed it.

When news broke of Chapter 2 being made, I was particularly enthused to see what Wan and Whannell had up their sleeve. When the time came to finally check it out, I ended up being split on how I felt about it. There were plenty of things I genuinely loved as I found certain scenes to be chilling and eerie like the hidden room with the church pews filled with sheet covered corpses. Other aspects of the film I was less than enthused with. I thought some of it crossed the line into camp or came off as a bit unintentionally silly, particularly some of the Elise versus the ghosts stuff. Still once I knew what to expect those elements felt a bit more at home and were less jarring on subsequent views. The film still had strong and likable characters, and James Wan did some great things with the stylish look of the whole thing which is always one of his strengths. So while some of the film didn't go where I may have wanted it to I still loved where it left off.  Which brings us to Chapter 3...

Right off the bat, Chapter 3 does not take place where the previous film left off. Chapter 3 is a prequel that takes place before Insidious 1 and 2, yet AFTER the prequel portions featured in Chapter 2. You still with me? So Chapter 3 focuses on two distinct storylines. I would consider the main one the story of Quinn Brenner (played perfectly by horror newcomer Stefanie Scott) and her stern yet loving father Sean (Dermot Mulroney). The second storyline focuses on Elise Rainier who begins the film as a much different Elise than we know from the previous two installments. Everything kicks off when Quinn, mourning the loss of her mother, seeks out Elise in an attempt to contact her mother from beyond the grave. As you can imagine things don't go as planned for anyone and all hell breaks loose. The films story is built on the theme of learning how to cope with the loss of a loved one is front and center and creates a parallel narrative for both Quinn and Elise. Now If you have read my reviews before I tend to not go into spoiler territory and will do my best not to do so here. I just don't care for reviews that recap the story of the entire movie, thats not a review to me, it's a summary.

For the first two acts I would say the film really sets everything up nicely and has a great sense of dread and everything is played dead serious. Which is something I was really pleased to see being that I had hoped this installment would take on a more serious tone than the previous one. The actors are all game here, especially Stefanie Scott who really is able to get you on her side early on with her innocent and likable performance. It is that performance that makes you feel all the more sympathetic and fearful for her when things start to take a turn for the worse. Mulroney does well enough with what he is given to work with here, where a lesser actor may not have provided a strong enough presence, Mulroney does so with ease in what could be considered an underwritten part. Still it may have been underwritten by necessity as there is plenty of time and development given to Lin Shaye who is the heart and soul of Chapter 3. This is essentially the "origin" story of the Elise we come to know in the first two films as she struggles to use her gift after suffering a huge personal loss. Whannell and Angus Sampson who reprise their roles as Specs and Tucker are also given a tiny bit more backstory. Though I will say there is a little brother character in the Brenner family who probably could (and should) have been removed altogether and the film wouldn't have lost a step and maybe would have made the Father/Daughter bond a bit stronger as a result. Still the main cast members all bring something worthwhile to the table.

One of the big things about this film is the fact that series co-creator Leigh Whannell is running the show. Whannell in his first time as director (he is the film's writer as well) does a lot of things right here. When I spoke to him a month or so ago, he said he felt this story was worth telling because he really was interested in exploring Elise's past and learning more about the character. He also stated how William Friedkin was a big influcence on his approach for the film, as well as implementing all he learned working alongside James Wan in their previous ventures together. Insidious Chapter 3 looks great, it feels as if it's in the same world as the previous 2 films, yet still carves out it's own space. Whannell also stated the main "demon" of the film was quite scary and I really did like it's design and the scenes it was involved in even if it's backstory or reasoning is thin at best. There are two specific scenes where Quinn comes into contact with it that are simply masterful and show Whannell's understanding of what makes a horror film work. Plenty of creative shots and nicely set up scares fill the first half  or so and I was really excited as it was all coming together nicely. Still the film was not without it's hiccups.

As stated before, the first two acts of the film is particularly strong, creepy and refreshing for the franchise. It expands on the world of the first two films by making it seem larger than whats going on inside those three or four houses where everything prior has taken place. I was totally on board as some of the early set pieces and scary scenes were very intense and well staged. So it was a bit of a letdown for me, when the film kicks into it's final act, and it cannot match the intensity of the first half (sans a pretty cleverly executed possession scene) perhaps the final act felt a bit too familiar of climaxes that have come before it in the series which is possibly what bothered me. I love the concept of the ghost world of "The Further" and would love for them to expand on it just a bit more, but here it felt not where near as scary, a bit rehashed to an extent and that dulled it's effectiveness I felt. This lead me to wishing the whole thing played out a bit differently. There were also a few scenes in that last act that reminded me of some of the unintentionally silly or cheesy stuff that really bothered me in the second film. Some of that stuff here, especially scenes where Elise must physically go toe to toe with one of the dead/ghosts, doesn't play well on screen, and kind of took me out of a film that I was really wanting to get behind due to all the love and care it is made with. Make no mistake though Chapter 3 isn't one of your run of the mill "product" films such as the dead on arrival Poltergeist remake. Leigh Whannell and the cast put their all into this film and they truly believe in the material and their characters and even when the film falters at times, that love for what they are doing still shines through.

Insidious is a strange franchise in a sense that it seems to have divided horror fans into groups who like it and don't like it. Some people just do not like this type of horror film no matter how much care is put into it and they feel it is more of a studio product pg-13 ghost movie when it is really not. It is essentially an independent film that hit it big, just like another of Whannell and Wan's creations did, when they created the Saw franchise. People were very split on those films as well and the sequels worked to varying degrees of success. So in the end my initial feeling on Insidious Chapter 3 was that it starts out extremely strong and intense and along the way kind of loses steam and brings in some of the elements I had hoped might not resurface while leaving me wishing for a much more intense and scary climax, Still for die hard fans of the series, you will have another solid installment that expands on the Insidious universe and it's characters while also opening up room for more unique stories in the future. For non fans of the franchise, this one won't be the one that makes you change your mind, as it wears it's pedigree proudly on it'sleeve. I myself lay somewhere in the middle of those which makes sense seeing as how my feelings on the film are split down the middle, for all the good and creepy things it does well, it also does some things I would rather it didn't that stymied my excitement. That can be a problem for a lot of films that start out so strong and then falter a bit towards the finish line.

Still as someone who has enjoyed the franchise well enough, I can certainly say you definitely should check out the film for yourself as it is still worth watching and you will certainly get some superbly crafted horror moments throughout. I feel even for myself that I may enjoy it much more on a second viewing as I did with the second knowing what to expect. I can also say that I do look forward to what director Leigh Whannell does next because despite the things I did not like in the film, he has proved himself to be a more than capable director with the work he has put on display here while getting solid performances from his cast who help carry the film even when it doesn't work as well. Insidious Chapter 3 went back to the past for its story and I am now interested in seeing what the future holds for Chapter 4, just like the Saw franchise there are a few paths that are set up it can take and after all is said and done,and even with a few bumps in the road, I am still interested in seeing how deep into the Further this franchise can go.

Just about a month ago we had the opportunity to sit down with Insidious Chapter 3 director (and series co-creator) Leigh Whannel and talk a bit about the new film. It was a great time and you really got the sense of how passionate he was about the project. Now we were lucky enough to be able to chat for a bit with two of the stars of the latest installment in the Insidious series, Dermot Mulroney and Stefanie Scott. Having watched the film the night before (review will be up later this week) it was all fresh in my mind and had a number of questions planned out for the duo. You never know what an interview will be like and it can be slightly nerve wracking before you sit down, however Dermot and Stefanie were two of the nicest and enthusiastic people I have come across while doing this. You get the feeling just from talking to them that they are genuinely excited about the film and their work in it. So while I only had so much time to talk with them, they provided plenty of insight and info into the process of making what would actually be the first horror film of their careers.

please note this interview contains minor spoilers if you haven't seen the trailer.



As you can see they were a particularly lively interview, especially Dermot who really gets in depth with his answers. Stefanie was just a vivrant personality whom you could tell was very excited for this opportunity to star in a film series she was already a fan of prior to coming on board. It was the type of interview where you definitely wanted to ask more questions and discuss more with them. They both also were very quick to praise Leigh Whannell for whom this is first time in the director's chair.  I can't thank them both enough for an enjoyable time. We will talk more about their contributions to the film when we post our review later this week.

One person who was not in attendance was Lin Shaye who plays series mainstay, Elise Rainier. The film is as much hers as it is Mulroney's and Scott's. Recently she was honored at Wizard World Philadelphia as "The Godmother of Horror" as she has appeared in more than 20 horror films in her career including A Nightmare on Elm Street and many more.

"Honoring Lin Shate as the Godmother of Horror was a no-brainer as we celebrate Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia this Mother's Day weekend," said Wizard World spokesman Jerry Milani. "Lin's legacy in films of all genres make her queen of the movie scene, and her unparallelled, haunting performances in so many movies, especially the INSIDIOUS franchise, make her the obvious and deserved choice for the Godmother of Horror Award"

Of her role in INSIDIOUS:CHAPTER 3, Share says "I'm kind of the unlikely hero. I'm not the hot young guy or the gorgeous girl. I love the character, and so do the fans. I have a really youthful fan base, which is so much fun for me because I'm so old. I am the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. "

Aaron Sagers, renowned horror and film enthusiast, officially presented Lin with the honor during a special Wizard World Presentation. Shaye provided fans with insider information on the new film and discussed her statys as the rare older woman to defy industy stereotypes while staking her claim in the horror genre.

Insidious Chapter 3 opens Thursday Night, June 4th.

TrueHorror Music proudly presents the second single "Zebra Kids" from the upcoming debut album "As Days Go By" by La Garçonne.  Zebra Kids was the song that started it all for this project between La Garçonne and TrueHorror.net. It was upon first hearing this track in the background of the acclaimed horror film "Starry Eyes" (directed by Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kölsch), that prompted us to do a bit of digging to find out more about this song and the artist that created it. We listened to it non stop and eventually contacted La Garçonne herself and got the wheels rolling from there. The track provides a melodic yet bouncy, dream like soundscape thats perfect for late night lounging. Listen for yourself below! and also check out our write up on Starry Eyes here

As Days Go By releases on 5/26/2015 and is now available for pre-order digitally and as a limited edition purple cassette (digi download included) You can pre-order them at the following links below.

Limited Edition Cassette Pre Order
Digital Pre Order

Listen to the previously released first single "I'm On Punch" below.

So yes, we started an independent record label, TrueHorror Music is now a reality. Our first release "As Days Go By" by La Garçonne is not what one would call "horror music" so we have often been asked "What does any of this have to do with horror?" Which is a reasonable question, but beyond the fact that the label, which is an extension of our site, was never intended to strictly be "horror themed" music, that doesn't mean our first release doesn't have it's own ties to the horror genre. 

It was while watching the horror film Starry Eyes that her music first caught my ear, afterwards being the music lover I am, I did some research which eventually led me to contacting her and listening to more music which had a wonderful new wave, night time listening vibe that I love, it was after listening to it over and over again that the decision to launch this label was made, with the intent that the music of La Garçonne aka Ranya Dube, would be our first release. Which as it all turned out was the perfect project and the perfect person to deal with in our first venture. I have had alot of fun getting to know her while we put this project together and wanted to ask her a few questions so that you the potential listeners could get a better feel for just who it is putting together this amazing music that inspired us to take a chance. 

One concern I had when approaching her about this project was the fact that while her music had just been featured on the soundtrack to an acclaimed horror film, I wondered how she would feel about having all her music be associated with a horror based website/company. As it turns she out was more than okay with it. 

TH: Being a horror website and a record label titled "TrueHorror Music" what made you comfortable about being involved with us as your music isn't necessarily horror themed music? 

LG: As a kid, horror movies were all I watched! I still remember going to the video store with my older cousin Shelly, they had a massive horror section and we would rent 3 or 4 films every weekend until we made our way through every VHS box on those shelves. I am so inspired by the 80's, and our generation watched those films all when they were brand new and at some point in time everyone was scared of Freddy, Jason or Michael. These days when you see photos of them or the cover art for those old VHS tapes, it helps place you at that point in time to when the horror genre was so huge and every new film was like an event. Obviously horror is still huge, but I will always have a great deal of love for those older films and how they scared me. To this day those are still the ones that scare me the most. So your site being based on horror was cool with me since I am a horror fan and have so many fond memories involving the genre. It didn't feel odd to me at all moreso like a good fit!

TH: Being that you are a big horror fan what are some of your favorite horror films?

LG: All of the Halloween films, Friday the 13th specifically 6, 7 & 8, Pet Sematary, Cujo, A Nightmare on Elm Street especially 3 & 4. I also love American Werewolf in London andthe original Piranha. I could go on and on as we literally would watch whatever we could get our hands on, but those I named would be the ones I love most. 

TH: We will get back to the horror stuff momentarily as I obviously find it interesting and I know our readers will as well, but can you tell us some more about your music background? What are some of your earliest memories of getting into music?

LG: When I was about 3 years old, my dad gave me a huge bag full of 45's and I am pretty certain that is when my obsession began. I remember in my early years listening to KISS and ABBA religiously until my grandparents got Heart of Glass by Blondie on vinyl. It immediately became my favorite song and the rest is history. I would say though the album I listened to the most in my life is Appetite For Destruction by Guns n Roses. I always wanted to be a Black Sabbath type band but when I was living in England everyone loved Oasis so I just ended up making synth music instead. I love synth music too but I always thought I would be comfortable on stage rocking out. 

TH: The songs on "As Days Go By" have a very 80's new wave electro feel, can you tell us a bit about what led you to the creation of the music found on the album?

LG: A long time ago I tried to figure out what music meant to me and what I needed it to be in my life. I knew I needed to be making music so I played in bands that werent doing what I wanted to be doing until one day, I met my friend Paul. He was the first person I played with where what we made sounded good to me. I started my first band Villa Cola with him and he taught me alot about engineering and how to record things. We tried to play live but we weren't very good because we were both very shy and as it turned out didn't like people watching us. Our band eventually fell apart becayse we realized we were making music for all the wrong reasons and it left me in a really weird place. Since I was a bit down at that point. I just started playing music for the sake of playing music. I didn't go out much and just lived in a bubble where I would just sit with headphones for hours at a time, writing tons of songs, some I actually finished and these are the ones which are being released on the album. 

TH: The album has a very 80's new wave feel, could you explain why you went that route when creating it all? 

LG: It mostly sounds 80's because of what I had access to while making it. To make guitar music you need pedals and all sorts of expensive equipment. It sounds 80's but when I start a song I just start it with a beat or a melody and just add on from there. Since I use a computer, it really dictates my sound so it's not always planned the way it eventually turns out, for me it is definitely a bit of a spontaneous process when it comes to creating the actual song. I if I had more equipment I could probably hone my sound to be more specific to how I initially hear it in my head, but it never turns out that way, though I think that describes alot of creative mediums really. As far as the 80's sound goes, when I write, I go through all the snyth sounds and then layer them until I get the feeling that I am looking for so that I can sing over it. I also love reverb which gives it the more lo-fi feeling. I have always said I am not the biggest fan of modern production so with what I have done, it's just turned out sounding 80's due to my methods and tools. 

TH: Having discussed this with you before, while it's clear you are obviously very passionate about music and have a knack for it, you are also very much into video and film now, how did that come about and what are you working on now? 

LG: A while back I made a few music videos with my friend Emily for my first band, then I decided to edit a short film for a friend which showed me the other side of editing which to me is the hardest part of making a film. Over the next couple of years I worked as a DP, producer, camera assistant/focus puller and did more editing. I also made some music videos for myself with my other friend Stella, most so I could learn more technical things like using a green screen and advanced editing techniques.  Finally I worked on my first feature and that was when I realized that I actually dont want to work on other people's stories which was a good feeling in a sense that I had always aksed myself what I wanted to do with my life and that really helped me figure that out. 

TH: Getting back to the horror side of things, what are your thoughts between music and film, especially in horror films? 

LG: Music for me will make or break a film. I'm pretty extreme when it comes to this stuff though because if I don't like the music they've chosen for a film, I will stop watching something immediately but when music is used properly, it will elevate a film to the next level. It really dictates how we feel when we are watching something. Horror films are scary in a lot of ways because of the music. If you watch it on mute, it will more than likely not be anywhere near as scary or effective. 

TH: What would you say is your favorite music from a horror film?

LG: Well to me it's more of a sound effect but the signature percussive sound and breathing effect in the Friday the 13th films (ki ki ki or kill kill kill ha ha ha) As soon as your hear it, you know Jason is coming and it's going to be disasterous when he shows up. We used to play the Nintendo Friday the 13th video game all the time as kids and I love the music on there as well!

TH: Your music has been featured in horror films, most recently Starry Eyes, how did you feel about this and why do you feel that your music fits in the horror genre in some way. 

LG: Thats a good question, I am not totally sure but I guess it might have to do with the fact that when I write my songs, I am thinking about movies or scenes in my head, so perhaps this quality comes through in them? Also there is the DIY aspect of it. Most of those films are made out of passion and not because of huge budgets from studios creating a product. My songs are the same so maybe thats why they go well together? Another of my songs will be appearing in the upcoming film

The Demolisher , it's director Gabriel Carrer put me in touch with the producer of Starry Eyes so I owe alot ot him as well. 

TH: While you are focused on the other side of the lens now, would you ever consider filming or scoring your own horror film? 

LG: Absolutely! scoring one would be pretty cool for sure. If I made my own horror film it would be more psychological like a Starry Eyes as opposed to a slasher. David Fincher is one of  my biggest influences so something like "Seven" would be more my style. Perhaps it's not exactly horror but it would have that grim vibe that I find frightening.

TH: We know now you are all about the classic horror films we all love, but what are some of the newer horror films you have enjoyed? 

LG: I don't know if I would classify these as pure horror but I am a big fan of Guillermo Del Toro and his group of director proteges. Stuff like Pan's Labrynth and The Orphanage creeps me out. On a personal note I thought Starry Eyes was brilliant when you think of how small their budget was and that they were able to make something that was so much better than alot of stuff coming out of Hollywood. Off hand I also really enjoyed Let The Right One In, Drag Me to Hell and The Descent a great deal. 

TH: So getting back to your music before we close this out, how does it feel to see your music collected in cassette form? 

LG: It feels actually insane to me that in 2015, this has happened to me. As a kid my cousin and I used to take advantage of a loop hole in the old Colombia House's "get 12 tapes for a penny" deals. We amassed huge collections of tapes. So my headphones were permanently glued to my ears throughout those years, So this tape means a great deal to me and I hope whoever finds one in their possession gets that same great feeling they used to have when they would listen to a new tape for the first time way back when.

La Garçonne - As Days Go By is now available for pre-order digitally and in limited edition purple cassette. Release Date is May 26th. 

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