Art. Zombies. Rock ‘n’ roll. Catching Up with Lara Hope

Greetings, Crypt Dwellers! This is B-Sol of The Vault of Horror making a very special appearance to tell you all about one very special woman whose band will be headlining Captain Cruella’s 4^th annual Village Invasion on October 19 in Saugerties, New York. The woman is Lara Hope, and the band is Tigeriss. Lara was on hand and tore it up last year, and knowing her as well as we do, it’s a lock that she’ll be tearing it up once again.

But as if one band isn’t enough, the overachieving Ms. Hope happens to be a member of several rockin’ ensembles. Her rockabilly band Lara Hope and the Arktones is prepared to launch an ambitious fundraising campaign on Indiegogo to help them record their very first full-length album—a project they’ve been dedicating a lot of hard work to as of late. On top of that, Lara is gearing up yet another group, the Misfits tribute band known as the Miss-Tits (!!), to make a boobalicious debut at her very own Rosendale Zombie Festival.

Yes, you heard that right. In addition to her musical endeavors, Lara is also the brains behind the Hudson Valley’s other undead extravaganza, the Rosendale Zombie Festival, which will also be celebrating its fourth year on Saturday, September 28! This one will be used as a fundraiser for the Rosendale Food Pantry. Check out the official Facebook page right here!

In addition to this, as part of the Gold Hope Duo, Ms. Hope had the opportunity to be a part of the northeast leg of the Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival, in which she opened for Dave Chappelle and Flight of the Conchords. After Halloween, both the Gold Hope Duo and Tigeriss will be embarking on a northeast tour along with fellow New York band S.S. Web.

And as if the whole music and zombies thing wasn’t enough, did I mention that Lara Hope is an artist as well? Recently, she has begun focusing on up-cycled, functional artwork, which includes turning cigar boxes into mini coffins, as well as painting picture frames, mirrors and other items. On Friday, September 13, she had her very first show opening at the Ark Riot in Kingston, New York. Her work will continue to be on display for the rest of the month. For more info, check out the official Facebook event page.

There’s no doubt about it—Lara Hope is a true renaissance woman and a match for even Captain Cruella herself in the events and arts departments. Be sure to check out the Rosendale Zombie Festival later this month, and then we “hope” (heh) to see you on hand to watch Lara and Tigeriss perform at Village Invasion IV!

Rock Bands and Zombies. On the set of a music video shoot!

Greetings kittens! As you may or may not have been aware I had been counting down the days until I was going to be dragging my corpse on to the set of a music video shoot. I was extremely excited as Blondie is a childhood favorite of mine, yes THE Blondie. Leading up to the big weekend I had been back and forth with the production company as to what I might be doing and how I could assist. I've worked in film before and have a background in special effects make-up. I was more than willing to be of help and realize now that I'll be rethinking those tactics if and when I ever do another shoot, I'll get back to that later.

The usual hurry up and wait game occured as it does at any shoot as the crew shot different scenes in seperate areas of the building and the surrounding areas. The time waiting did enable me to meet some really amazing people and I'd say out of the entire experience at least I walked away with that. I met another larger than life online presence, the fantabulous Isis Vermouth, who I secretly stalk online. Suppose my secret is out now kitten, I truly adore you! I did get to meet the band and hang with what I later found out to be some of their closest friends and learned that one of their sons is a fan of mine! Holy crap, really?!

The down side to all this is that I was so busy being asked to help with make-up that I started to feel like that's all I really ended up there for. I showed up as myself, Captain Cruella, as I was asked to do. I'm not a gory zombie nor am I a 1980's club going personality. I'm me. I'm unsure that my look fit what they were needing and instead of asking me to change to fit the look, they just ended up not knowing what to do with me. It went from me asking if I could assist to me being the make-up go-to person. I wouldn't have minded but after 7 hours of that I decided it was really time to bail, especially since I'm not being paid for time as make-up person and no one was reimbursing me to replenishing my supplies. I showed up on time, in costume and ready to go, unlike the majority of extras that I ended up doing make-up for--who by the way will be in this music video. Seems kind of shitty right? I'm not a diva but I did really feel slighted and it ruined my happy to be here feeling. I ended up walking off set when the producer yelled cut during a club scene. I couldn't go on pretending I was excited to be there as that feeling had diminished hours before.

To end on a positive note, overall I did have a great time. The people were fantastic and it was an experience of a lifetime. Even though I know I won't be seen in this video at least my skillful make-up work will be and I can now add a Blondie music video under my rotten belt. Viva la zombie and keep on rockin'!

Here are some more shots from the music video shoot, enjoy kittens!

Don't mind us we're just laying about with the other dead bodies.

Some of the beautiful people in thrilling outer wear.

Isis Vermouth and her zombilicious partners in crime.

What's a little blood between best ghoul friends?

The lovely Estelle hanging with Allen Midgette, the real Andy Warhol impersonator!

The Gore Gore dancers!

 

Mingling with the props on our down time.

Trying to stay warm on set which is sort of silly since we're all a bunch of the undead.

And here's the music video. I some how managed to be in it for about 5 seconds. Yay!

Blondie-Mother

Plus here's some footage from behind the scenes!

Blondie behind the scenes