Nicholas Diak's Blog, page 42
June 11, 2015
Review/Interview - Ride the Tiger by Changes
Hello everyone!
I have an actual new entry at my own blog (not Heathen Harvest!). I did an essay/review/interview-type spiel with the viny "Ride the Tiger" by the American neofolk band Changes, including excerpts from both Nicholas Tesluk and Nathalie of Autre Que. I hope yall check it out!
http://heiligetod.blogspot.com/2015/06/reviewinterview-changes-autre-que-ride.html
I have an actual new entry at my own blog (not Heathen Harvest!). I did an essay/review/interview-type spiel with the viny "Ride the Tiger" by the American neofolk band Changes, including excerpts from both Nicholas Tesluk and Nathalie of Autre Que. I hope yall check it out!
http://heiligetod.blogspot.com/2015/06/reviewinterview-changes-autre-que-ride.html
June 8, 2015
Call for Papers - Anthology on Space Horror
Hello everyone!
Michele Brittany, editor of James Bond and Popular Culture has just put out a call for her second anthology: Space Horror films.
If you're a scholar or academic and are interested in being part of this anthology, check out her CFP!
Here is a link right here:
http://spacehorrorfilms.blogspot.com/2015/06/call-for-papers-essays-on-space-horror.html
And here is a copy/paste from the website:
----
Call for Papers
Essays on Space Horror in Film, 1950s – 2000s
Abstract Submission Deadline: August 25, 2015
In 1979, the word A L I E N was spelled out across the top of an ominous movie poster, conveying a sense of foreboding of something unknown. An eerie yellow light seeped out of the egg-shaped space pod with the tagline: In space no one hears you scream. Audiences were drawn along with the Nostromo crew as they explored the mysterious abandoned ship on LV-426 and encountered a new and hostile alien species. It was one of the first movies to successfully combine science fiction and horror in an interstellar setting, spawning several inferior imitations in the 1980s while also inspiring standout films that furthered the genre, such as Event Horizon (1997), Pitch Black (2000), Sunshine (2007), and Europa Report (2013). While it may have seemed like space horror was a new genre after the release of Ridley Scott’s film, the genre has a rich history that took hold of movie audience-goers almost thirty years prior with the space horror films that could best be classified as invasion films. With a plethora of films, much has been written about science fiction, horror or on individual films (mostly the Alien franchise), yet surprisingly, little analysis can be found on space horror as its own genre in cinema. Essays for this anthology will seek to deconstruct and analyze the genre via the films from 1950s through the present offerings with the goal of exploring and bridging the gap of critical analysis that currently exists between science fiction and the horror genres. The intended audience is expected to include individuals studying and/or curious to increase their understanding of science fiction, horror and of course, space horror.
There are several themes worth exploring when analyzing space horror, utilizing any number of theoretical framework of your choosing. Here is a brief list of ideas, which is by no means exhaustive:
•Claustrophobia, Outer Space fears (Pandorum, Dark Star, Europa Report, The Black Hole)
•The influence of slasher films (Alien, Event Horizon, Jason X, Sunshine, Leprechaun 4: In Space)
•Psychological (2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris, Sunshine, Moon)
•Body Horror and/or transformation (Supernova, Event Horizon, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Slither)
•Final girl (Alien, Prometheus, Dead Space: Downfall)
•Paranormal/Occult (Event Horizon, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Dracula 3000, Ghosts of Mars)
•Cold War fears (most invasion films of the 1950s – 1970s)
•Doppelganger (Event Horizon, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing, Moon)
•Compare/Contrast maleficent vs. animal “aliens” (Xenomorphs in Alien franchise vs. alien species encountered in Pitch Black, Apollo 18, Europa Report for example)
•Alien abduction (Communion, Fire In The Sky, Extraterrestrial)
•Found footage (Europa Report, Apollo 18)
•Sacrifice of self and/or self-destruct sequence (Alien franchise, Event Horizon, Critters 4, The Last Days on Mars)
•Role of AI, robotics and/or the concept of “uncanny valley” (Alien franchise, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Prometheus, Dracula 3000)
•Bram Stoker and Space Vampires (Dracula 3000, Planet of the Vampires, Lifeforce)
•Exploring Literary roots such as H.P. Lovecraft, H. G. Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, etc.
I am accepting up to two abstracts in order to assemble the most cohesive arrangement of essays that will provide a well-rounded exploration and representation of this little discussed genre. The deadlines are as follows:
•August 25, 2015: Abstract of 300-500 words, 1 page CV, preliminary draft bibliography
•September 1, 2015: Notification of acceptance/rejection (editor will send comprehensive style sheet)
•January 31, 2016: Essays due of 5,000-8,000 words in length (earlier submissions welcomed and encouraged)
•February 1 - April 20, 2016: Essays will be edited and returned to the author for review and revision. The final version of the essay, author’s release and a brief contributor’s bio is due to the editor by April 20, 2016
•June 1, 2016: Manuscript is received by the publisher
Accepted essays received on or before January 31st will continue through the editing process. The editor will utilize Microsoft Word’s tracking function to record all edits and return the edited version back to the author for final correction.
The final manuscript will be delivered to the publisher June 1, 2016. Contributors will receive a complimentary book copy when published, which is anticipated for late 2016.
Please direct all correspondence to:
Michele Brittany, Editor
Email: SpaceHorrorFilms@gmail.com
Blog: http://spacehorrorfilms.blogspot.com
Website: www.spacehorrorfilms.com
Michele Brittany is an independent popular culture scholar residing in Southern California and is the editor of James Bond and Popular Culture: Essays on the Influence of the Fictional Superspy (2014, McFarland & Company). She is the James Bond, Espionage and Eurospy Area Chair for the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association’s annual conference. She is a West Coast Correspondent for Bleeding Cool and writes daily on all things spy related at her blog, Spy-Fi & Superspies. She annually presents at the SWPACA and has presented at Wondercon Anaheim as part of the Comic Arts Conference series. She is also an academic member of the Horror Writer’s Association in Los Angeles.
Michele Brittany, editor of James Bond and Popular Culture has just put out a call for her second anthology: Space Horror films.
If you're a scholar or academic and are interested in being part of this anthology, check out her CFP!
Here is a link right here:
http://spacehorrorfilms.blogspot.com/2015/06/call-for-papers-essays-on-space-horror.html
And here is a copy/paste from the website:
----
Call for Papers
Essays on Space Horror in Film, 1950s – 2000s
Abstract Submission Deadline: August 25, 2015
In 1979, the word A L I E N was spelled out across the top of an ominous movie poster, conveying a sense of foreboding of something unknown. An eerie yellow light seeped out of the egg-shaped space pod with the tagline: In space no one hears you scream. Audiences were drawn along with the Nostromo crew as they explored the mysterious abandoned ship on LV-426 and encountered a new and hostile alien species. It was one of the first movies to successfully combine science fiction and horror in an interstellar setting, spawning several inferior imitations in the 1980s while also inspiring standout films that furthered the genre, such as Event Horizon (1997), Pitch Black (2000), Sunshine (2007), and Europa Report (2013). While it may have seemed like space horror was a new genre after the release of Ridley Scott’s film, the genre has a rich history that took hold of movie audience-goers almost thirty years prior with the space horror films that could best be classified as invasion films. With a plethora of films, much has been written about science fiction, horror or on individual films (mostly the Alien franchise), yet surprisingly, little analysis can be found on space horror as its own genre in cinema. Essays for this anthology will seek to deconstruct and analyze the genre via the films from 1950s through the present offerings with the goal of exploring and bridging the gap of critical analysis that currently exists between science fiction and the horror genres. The intended audience is expected to include individuals studying and/or curious to increase their understanding of science fiction, horror and of course, space horror.
There are several themes worth exploring when analyzing space horror, utilizing any number of theoretical framework of your choosing. Here is a brief list of ideas, which is by no means exhaustive:
•Claustrophobia, Outer Space fears (Pandorum, Dark Star, Europa Report, The Black Hole)
•The influence of slasher films (Alien, Event Horizon, Jason X, Sunshine, Leprechaun 4: In Space)
•Psychological (2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris, Sunshine, Moon)
•Body Horror and/or transformation (Supernova, Event Horizon, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Slither)
•Final girl (Alien, Prometheus, Dead Space: Downfall)
•Paranormal/Occult (Event Horizon, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Dracula 3000, Ghosts of Mars)
•Cold War fears (most invasion films of the 1950s – 1970s)
•Doppelganger (Event Horizon, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing, Moon)
•Compare/Contrast maleficent vs. animal “aliens” (Xenomorphs in Alien franchise vs. alien species encountered in Pitch Black, Apollo 18, Europa Report for example)
•Alien abduction (Communion, Fire In The Sky, Extraterrestrial)
•Found footage (Europa Report, Apollo 18)
•Sacrifice of self and/or self-destruct sequence (Alien franchise, Event Horizon, Critters 4, The Last Days on Mars)
•Role of AI, robotics and/or the concept of “uncanny valley” (Alien franchise, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Prometheus, Dracula 3000)
•Bram Stoker and Space Vampires (Dracula 3000, Planet of the Vampires, Lifeforce)
•Exploring Literary roots such as H.P. Lovecraft, H. G. Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, etc.
I am accepting up to two abstracts in order to assemble the most cohesive arrangement of essays that will provide a well-rounded exploration and representation of this little discussed genre. The deadlines are as follows:
•August 25, 2015: Abstract of 300-500 words, 1 page CV, preliminary draft bibliography
•September 1, 2015: Notification of acceptance/rejection (editor will send comprehensive style sheet)
•January 31, 2016: Essays due of 5,000-8,000 words in length (earlier submissions welcomed and encouraged)
•February 1 - April 20, 2016: Essays will be edited and returned to the author for review and revision. The final version of the essay, author’s release and a brief contributor’s bio is due to the editor by April 20, 2016
•June 1, 2016: Manuscript is received by the publisher
Accepted essays received on or before January 31st will continue through the editing process. The editor will utilize Microsoft Word’s tracking function to record all edits and return the edited version back to the author for final correction.
The final manuscript will be delivered to the publisher June 1, 2016. Contributors will receive a complimentary book copy when published, which is anticipated for late 2016.
Please direct all correspondence to:
Michele Brittany, Editor
Email: SpaceHorrorFilms@gmail.com
Blog: http://spacehorrorfilms.blogspot.com
Website: www.spacehorrorfilms.com
Michele Brittany is an independent popular culture scholar residing in Southern California and is the editor of James Bond and Popular Culture: Essays on the Influence of the Fictional Superspy (2014, McFarland & Company). She is the James Bond, Espionage and Eurospy Area Chair for the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association’s annual conference. She is a West Coast Correspondent for Bleeding Cool and writes daily on all things spy related at her blog, Spy-Fi & Superspies. She annually presents at the SWPACA and has presented at Wondercon Anaheim as part of the Comic Arts Conference series. She is also an academic member of the Horror Writer’s Association in Los Angeles.
June 1, 2015
Interview with Lisa Duse of Porta Vittoria
Hello everyone!
A few months ago I have the honour to interview Lisa Duse of Porta Vittoria, and tonight the interview got published at Heathen Harvest:
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/06/02/world-crashing-down-an-interview-with-lisa-duse-of-porta-vittoria/
This is an important interview for me. Anyone who has followed my neofolk studies knows I hold Porta Vittoria in the highest of high regards when it comes to making music, but also being great friends. This was my opportunity to give Lisa some much deserved spotlight.
I hope yall enjoy!
A few months ago I have the honour to interview Lisa Duse of Porta Vittoria, and tonight the interview got published at Heathen Harvest:
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/06/02/world-crashing-down-an-interview-with-lisa-duse-of-porta-vittoria/
This is an important interview for me. Anyone who has followed my neofolk studies knows I hold Porta Vittoria in the highest of high regards when it comes to making music, but also being great friends. This was my opportunity to give Lisa some much deserved spotlight.
I hope yall enjoy!
May 27, 2015
The Way to Light Review
Holy moly! Not three days later and blammo! Another review I submitted to Heathen Harvest got published.
Check out my review of the album "Cleansing" by the American Dark Folk / Dark Ambient band The Way to Light.
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/05/28/the-way-to-light-cleansing-silence/
Check out my review of the album "Cleansing" by the American Dark Folk / Dark Ambient band The Way to Light.
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/05/28/the-way-to-light-cleansing-silence/
May 24, 2015
Werewolf Songs Review, Cthulhu Unbound
Good afternoon everyone.
It's the day before Memorial Day, I hope everyone is having a great long weekend? I think tomorrow we are going to go see Mad Max. Today was otherwise a lazy day.
I did have a new review published at Heathen Harvest. I bought the limited edition version of "Werewolf Songs" by Stone Breath and simply had to do a review of it. You can read it here:
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/05/24/...
I also finished reading Cthulhu Unbound 2, which was alot of fun. I'll type of a review here on Goodreads soon.
It's the day before Memorial Day, I hope everyone is having a great long weekend? I think tomorrow we are going to go see Mad Max. Today was otherwise a lazy day.
I did have a new review published at Heathen Harvest. I bought the limited edition version of "Werewolf Songs" by Stone Breath and simply had to do a review of it. You can read it here:
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/05/24/...
I also finished reading Cthulhu Unbound 2, which was alot of fun. I'll type of a review here on Goodreads soon.
May 17, 2015
Interview with Sara Lux of Hidden Place
Ahoy everyone!
There was a call for papers for an academic anthology - the subject: horror films and food!
I submitted an abstract to the two editors - I thought proposing a paper about the meteor horror films: The Blob, Deadly Spawn, Die Monster Die, etc warrant some academic analysis.
I didn't actually hear a confirmation from the two editors of receipt, so my guess I probably didn't wow them. Cross fingers thought that I get accepted!
However in more positive, publishing new, I had an interview published at Heathen Harvest. Two months or so ago I interview Sara Lux of the Italian synthpop/new wave band Hidden Place, a band I hold in high regards. So, it's awesome to see it published! I hope yall check it out!
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/05/18/a-day-without-time-an-interview-with-sara-lux-of-hidden-place/
There was a call for papers for an academic anthology - the subject: horror films and food!
I submitted an abstract to the two editors - I thought proposing a paper about the meteor horror films: The Blob, Deadly Spawn, Die Monster Die, etc warrant some academic analysis.
I didn't actually hear a confirmation from the two editors of receipt, so my guess I probably didn't wow them. Cross fingers thought that I get accepted!
However in more positive, publishing new, I had an interview published at Heathen Harvest. Two months or so ago I interview Sara Lux of the Italian synthpop/new wave band Hidden Place, a band I hold in high regards. So, it's awesome to see it published! I hope yall check it out!
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/05/18/a-day-without-time-an-interview-with-sara-lux-of-hidden-place/
April 27, 2015
Weekend Adventures: Elmer Batters exhibit, Mexican food..
This past weekend was an adventurous weekend!
Last week had been a meh week – just normal work woes and minor things, so having a great weekend to refresh oneself and come back with stories is so important.
Friday started off lazy enough: oven pizzas from Trader Joes while Michele worked on Bleeding Cool articles and I played Minecraft.
Saturday we drive to LA to the Taschen Exhibit. Taschen was showcasing the work of Eric Stanton and Elmer Batters, which I was very eager. Batters is one of my favourite photographers, and I really love his many pictures of girls in seamed stockings and hosiery. Seeing all his photography up on the wall, I felt legitimized his craft, gave it a much needed reconsideration. I had an Eric Stanton book, and while his art is sometimes a bit too “bondage-y” for me, many of his pieces where excellently executed. There’s an era captured in both Stanton’s and Batters’ work that I am really drawn to. I did wind up plucking up the new Stanton book, and Michele got inspiration for a Bleeding Cool article after seeing the Stanton/Ditko (the comic book icon!) work that was on display. However, my true love was the photography of Elmer Batters, so I was very glad to have seen the exhibit: photos, magazines, letter head and other articles. Not to brag – but I also own a few of the artifacts.
After the exhibit we went to The Grove to shop around and kill time. I was running low on hot sauces, so I managed to replenish my Marie Sharpe’s habanera sauce along with some spicy peanuts.
We met our friends Barbra and Bryant from Fanboy Comics at El Coyote for Mexican food for dinner. Michele and I are still in the market of trying to find an excellent Mexican restaurant down here to haunt, and El Coyote was quite good. I was so hungry, I GORGED on my chile rellano and washed it down with 2 margaritas (ultimate and house one – the house one being the best). I believe we were at the restaurant for over two hours, talking about important nerd things: Wondercon, comic books, gamergate and video games, writing, space-horror things – all pleasant dialog for a nice evening out. It’s really good to see and have food with folks important to you. And even better when your tummy is so stuffed with yummy food!
Michele and I didn’t get home until way late, but a box was waiting for us: Try the World. It’s one of those services were every month or so you get a box of random stuff inside. Try the World is good oriented – a box of a different country every 2 months. We opened ours the next day to see it was grub from Marrakesh: couscous, rubs, oils, cookies, etc. It was fun to do, but at almost $40, it’s a little too expensive to really subscribe to.
The rest of Sunday was a lazy day: shopping, Minecraft, and being lazy on the couch. Refreshed - attitude and spirits renewed - time to take over the world this week!
Last week had been a meh week – just normal work woes and minor things, so having a great weekend to refresh oneself and come back with stories is so important.
Friday started off lazy enough: oven pizzas from Trader Joes while Michele worked on Bleeding Cool articles and I played Minecraft.
Saturday we drive to LA to the Taschen Exhibit. Taschen was showcasing the work of Eric Stanton and Elmer Batters, which I was very eager. Batters is one of my favourite photographers, and I really love his many pictures of girls in seamed stockings and hosiery. Seeing all his photography up on the wall, I felt legitimized his craft, gave it a much needed reconsideration. I had an Eric Stanton book, and while his art is sometimes a bit too “bondage-y” for me, many of his pieces where excellently executed. There’s an era captured in both Stanton’s and Batters’ work that I am really drawn to. I did wind up plucking up the new Stanton book, and Michele got inspiration for a Bleeding Cool article after seeing the Stanton/Ditko (the comic book icon!) work that was on display. However, my true love was the photography of Elmer Batters, so I was very glad to have seen the exhibit: photos, magazines, letter head and other articles. Not to brag – but I also own a few of the artifacts.
After the exhibit we went to The Grove to shop around and kill time. I was running low on hot sauces, so I managed to replenish my Marie Sharpe’s habanera sauce along with some spicy peanuts.
We met our friends Barbra and Bryant from Fanboy Comics at El Coyote for Mexican food for dinner. Michele and I are still in the market of trying to find an excellent Mexican restaurant down here to haunt, and El Coyote was quite good. I was so hungry, I GORGED on my chile rellano and washed it down with 2 margaritas (ultimate and house one – the house one being the best). I believe we were at the restaurant for over two hours, talking about important nerd things: Wondercon, comic books, gamergate and video games, writing, space-horror things – all pleasant dialog for a nice evening out. It’s really good to see and have food with folks important to you. And even better when your tummy is so stuffed with yummy food!
Michele and I didn’t get home until way late, but a box was waiting for us: Try the World. It’s one of those services were every month or so you get a box of random stuff inside. Try the World is good oriented – a box of a different country every 2 months. We opened ours the next day to see it was grub from Marrakesh: couscous, rubs, oils, cookies, etc. It was fun to do, but at almost $40, it’s a little too expensive to really subscribe to.
The rest of Sunday was a lazy day: shopping, Minecraft, and being lazy on the couch. Refreshed - attitude and spirits renewed - time to take over the world this week!
April 22, 2015
Review - Waffenruhe - Stuka
Good evening everyone!
I've got a new review published at Heathen Harvest: the free digital EP "Stuka" by the martial industrial band Waffenruhe. I'd appreciate it if yall checked it out!
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/04/23/waffenruhe-stuka/
I've got a new review published at Heathen Harvest: the free digital EP "Stuka" by the martial industrial band Waffenruhe. I'd appreciate it if yall checked it out!
http://heathenharvest.org/2015/04/23/waffenruhe-stuka/
April 19, 2015
Horror Writers Association and HP Lovecast
What an awesome Sunday!
I woke up with an acceptance email saying I passed muster to join the Horror Writers Association (Academic member). I'm thrilled! With Michele's book proposal just around the corner on Space-Horror and popular culture, this is going to be a nice boost to get me motivated to keep on writing!
Also of note, I was part of a Podcast today! I've never done a podcast before, but Adam Crowley wanted to get together over Google Hangouts and talk HP Lovecraft. Ashley Barry wound up recording it, and myself, Michele and Jule was also there. Have a listen as we talk about The Color of of Space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjNqTQVe0u8
I woke up with an acceptance email saying I passed muster to join the Horror Writers Association (Academic member). I'm thrilled! With Michele's book proposal just around the corner on Space-Horror and popular culture, this is going to be a nice boost to get me motivated to keep on writing!
Also of note, I was part of a Podcast today! I've never done a podcast before, but Adam Crowley wanted to get together over Google Hangouts and talk HP Lovecraft. Ashley Barry wound up recording it, and myself, Michele and Jule was also there. Have a listen as we talk about The Color of of Space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjNqTQVe0u8
April 12, 2015
Concert Report: Rome, Worm Ouroboros and Daemonia Nymphe
Good day everyone!
Last Friday Michele and I went to see Rome perform over in LA. Rome is one of our favourite bands, and opening for them was Worm Ouroboros and Daemonia Nymphe. It was a excellent show!
I did a blog posting about the event here:
http://heiligetod.blogspot.com/2015/04/concert-report-rome-worm-ouroboros.html
Please give it a read!
Last Friday Michele and I went to see Rome perform over in LA. Rome is one of our favourite bands, and opening for them was Worm Ouroboros and Daemonia Nymphe. It was a excellent show!
I did a blog posting about the event here:
http://heiligetod.blogspot.com/2015/04/concert-report-rome-worm-ouroboros.html
Please give it a read!
