Oshkosh, Wisconsin could look like an arbitrary location for a vampire rock popera, however for songwriter and producer Dru DeCaro, it made excellent sense. “We simply want the entire thing to suck you in,” he tells AP. “This little city does that. It is method spookier than LA.”
Hosted by the “haunted,” historic Howard Theater is Blood/Love, a contemporary vampire musical expertise helmed by prime pop hits and raucous punk music. Co-written by DeCaro and Carey Sharpe, the two-night-only occasion transforms the aforementioned venue into “The Crimson,” a gothic nightclub teeming with vampires. The story blends vampire lore and the fun of nightlife to create its personal model of theater expertise.
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For DeCaro, the songwriter behind Em Beihold’s viral hit “Numb Little Bug” who has collaborated with Miguel, Vic Mensa and FLETCHER, this has been an exciting ardour undertaking.
Forward of the 2 performances Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, we spoke to DeCaro concerning the spooky topics that impressed Blood/Love and the way the success of “Numb Little Bug” modified his life.
How did you give you the idea behind Blood/Love?
Carey Sharpe, my writing associate, owns a haunted theater, for starters. We knew we had been going to place some huge, elaborate story collectively; it was the start of lockdown, and all people was making an attempt to occupy themselves. Anyway, we saved throwing paint on the wall, simply writing to write down. After we stepped again, it seemed like stunning blood splatter, and actual stylized. Someplace alongside the best way, it began to write down itself like a damned Ouija board. It nonetheless feels fairly out-of-body.
How did the success of “Numb Little Bug” change issues for you?
I signed a publishing take care of Place Music. I like them. The circle is increasing, and I am discovering individuals in these locations that I genuinely care about and lean on and who I would not have allowed myself to belief even just lately. The success of “Numb Little Bug” began lots of people reaching out.
Are you able to inform me concerning the premise of Blood/Love?
A trio of vampires terrorizes a bustling metropolis, and one dusky nightclub particularly so. This fateful night time a band performs, whose singer has his personal darkish secrets and techniques and unnatural powers, and whose path ought to by no means have crossed with the toothsome threesome. There may be love, there’s demise, there’s dance and rock ‘n’ roll and all method of devilry. Finally, the vampires should resist their inescapable humanity, simply because the rock star is questioning his godlike fame and cultural immortality. Will give up and sacrifice save all these unholy souls? Or will urge and habit condemn that they don’t go light into that good night time?
Why select Wisconsin for the rock popera?
The theater has an immaculate vibe. Final yr round Halloween, we had been locations to run the present in LA, and nowhere got here near what we wished. I feel once we take the present to New York or Vegas or wherever is subsequent, we’ll must construct a complete spot in our picture.
Why did you select this particular home to host the rock popera in?
I want I may simply present it to you. You’d get it. The Howard is precisely the place anyone would need to do that. After I first moved to LA, I acquired a job bartending at Viper Room. For years, each week I would be serving drinks, reserving exhibits and taking part in units there, simply tremendous home-field benefit. I would be the one on the finish of the night time hanging off the roof, placing my very own band’s identify on the marquee for the subsequent night time. Even touring throughout for years after that, it is nonetheless my favourite venue on the earth. The Howard is like that now.
What was the method of creating Blood/Love like?
We did not actually watch a variety of horror flicks or take heed to a variety of musicals or something. Carey and Erin Boheme had been already coming from a theatrical, fantastical sort of place, and me and co-producer Snakechild had been already punks who relished a possibility to interrupt in and spike the punch of a scene that in any other case would not invite us. So, it was an ideal storm of opposites attracting. We hardly agree on something, so once we unite on Blood/Love particulars, we all know it is good and new and possibly magic. Largely Carey and I sit round late at night time and attempt to inform a narrative that we would need to go see.
[Photo via Dru DeCaro]
What different vampire media/leisure impressed the manufacturing?
I’ve by no means correctly watched one of many Twilight movies, so I haven’t got a lot to attract from there. However I like Bela Lugosi, Blade, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe and peculiar, darkish East Coast writers like that. And Elvira and Lily Munster? I imply, come on. A lot type.
Which artists had been you impressed by when creating this?
I listened to a variety of Bauhaus and Danzig. We have been at it for two-plus years, so I listened to a variety of music. I feel possibly it appears like that, like a complete journey. We did not know the way it ended till we acquired there. I acquired to write down a lot of songs. All of the stuff I dig made it in there someplace.
Do you could have plans for the rock popera to hit different cities?
You know I need Broadway so unhealthy. I need the East Coast power. I need the gothic shit. I wanna kick within the door. So, that undoubtedly looms on the market. However I simply learn just lately that Pricey Evan Hansen began in D.C. That is the place I am from. I would not thoughts an excuse to return house and scare the hell out of all people.
