Mistress Dominae Draconis @ MySpace   Asif Murad is the producer of the Vampyre Lounge on Manhattan cable as well as the internet. He is a dear friend of Mine since I entered the scene and a man who has set out to show everyone the beauty of the true Vampyre scene and community. His show covers many aspects of the Vampyre scene - interviews with artists and performers and relevant people of the scene. It is always an entertaining and enlightening show.
  Dominae: So Asif, how did you come up with the idea of doing this show?
  Asif: When I was in my last year in college I was doing a paper on the persona of the vampire and how people used it to enhance their self image. I had no idea that there was in fact an entire scene out there that actually had a great reverence for the vampire mythology. During my research into the vampyre phenomenon I met with a couple who were making a cable access tv show called Vampyres. Subsequently I joined them and helped out with their show. As it happens those folks decided to drop the show and move out to Florida. Thus I decided to make my own show that would cover the vamp/goth scene and so that is really how it all began. Im leaving a lot out but that is really the gist of it.
  Dominae: What is it about the scene that you like most?
  Asif: The people. Im in love with each and every individual who make up the scene. They are the most charismatic, sincere and quite often just the most gracious and friendly freaks one could ever meet.   Dominae: What do you think makes the vampyre such a strong influence in peoples lives?
Asif: The vampyre persona has been around before people actually even knew about vampirism. A long time ago, the Babalonians and the Aztecs had vampyre imagery on their pottery. This is a thousand years before Christ. The image and quality of the vampyre is a universal concept and has a collective consciousness behind it. If there were no Bram Stoker or Sheridan Le Fanu to read, if there was never a Christopher Lee or Bela Lugosi to act out their own portraiture of The Count, even if there were no Anne Rice to think about, we would have nevertheless met the vampyre lurking in the dark chambers of our collective consciousness. You see, the vampyre is a part of our own psyche. The vampyre is really us in many ways and will always be a part of our own passions and longing to live forever. At least the dark side of our passions.   Dominae: So how do you go about making The Vampyre Lounge? Do you have helpers?
  Asif: I have many people who lend me their time and energy. Usually they help with conducting interviews and such. Recently my friend Kitty even videoed a performance at the Court of Lazarus for my show. That was a first for me. I usually do most of my taping and editing. The way I make the show is really not too complicated. I just seek out whatever venues, events and interesting happenings that are taking place in the vamp/goth circle (mostly in the east village area) and I simply go there with my trusty camera bag and see what happens. Thats about it. Talk about the art of just winging it. heh heh.   Dominae: Does the show have an agenda? Is there a reason why you cover the vampyre lifestyle?
  Asif:The main purpose of The Vampyre Lounge is to present the Vamp/Goth scene in its true form. No stereotypes, just the real people speaking their own mind. The vamp/goth scenes are very much vilified by the general media and also in this world of fundamental diehards who have chosen their own brand of crazy religious beliefs where anyone or anything that looks or thinks differently than the so called norm is to be shunned and hated, it is I think a good idea to have a visual forum where everyone and anyone can come and see what these folks are really all about. So in effect, The Vampyre Lounge is a platform for the vampyre and gothic lifestylers to have their own say.   Dominae: Who is your favorite band or artist that you have had on your show?
  Asif: There are too many to mention. I recall one time I shot The Empire Hideous at CBGB Gallery. Myke Hideous did a cover of Pink Floyds Comfortably Numb. It was just the most amazing performance I have ever seen. I was just stunned! It was simply breathtaking. But as for anyone artist, well thats kinda hard. I always have admired Voltaire for his comical genius and the way he brings such a lighthearted mood to a sullen Goth audience. From the very first time I went out with my video camera trying to tape various bands around NYC, Voltaire was one of the first to say sure you can tape me anytime. So he kind of sticks out in my mind.   Dominae: Now that The Vampyre Lounge is on the Internet, how has that effected your show?
  Asif: Having The Vampyre Lounge on the internet for anyone in the world to see has been very gratifying. More than a thousand people every month watch the show and the website run by Rockland World Radio has agreed to put up several shows on its site. They were originally going to upload only one show per month but after the enormous amounts of hits came they decided to leave several shows up there on their site.   Dominae: So what lies ahead for The Vampyre Lounge?
  Asif: Well Dominae, The Vampyre Lounge is and most likely always will be just a hobby of mine. It is not something that I make a living out of. Making The Vampyre Lounge has been a great experience and will continue to be one, Im sure. I guess Ill keep plugging away at it until my bones get too old to be chasing around vamp critters. Of course I have a day dream of sorts where someone way up there in the communication field views the show and actually thinks I have the talent to be in the business. But other than that I am having a great time making this tiny little show of mine that so many people have come to appreciate.
The Vampyre Lounge is an video project of Asif Murad who has been covering the goth/vamp circle in the east Village NY area for the last 7 to 8 yrs. The show is now available for viewing on the Internet. Just log onto VampyreLounge.com and click on any of the shows archived. The latest show is at the bottom. Also check out Myspace.com/vampyrelounge


THE VAMPYRE LOUNGE


MYSPACE PROFILE FOR THE VAMPYRE LOUNGE    

I'm so happy for you, look at far you have gotten its amazing. i would love to interview someone. if you could help me out with getting started i'd greatly apprecitate it, if not its ok. at least one of us is moving up. you look great and did fantastic in this interview. good luck to you

Awww- thank you, Love. There will be more coming from Me soon and I'll be more than happy to help start with interviewing people. The easiest way - make an offer on a bulletin in on myspace and interesting people will respond to you. I have an interview with the most famous male Elvira impersonator coming up soon :)
xxxooo vv