Strangers in a Car Park will be available on digital and on demand on November 11, 2025. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.
New Movie Spotlight: Strangers in a Car Park
🎬 Strangers in a Car Park
The truth will always come to light
Available On Digital and On Demand – November 11
Written and Directed by: Stuart McBratney
Starring: Brenton Prince (Home and Away, Underbelly), Lawrence Ola (Upright, Wellmania, face of STEP ONE underwear), and Arnijka Larcombe-Weate (Boy Swallows Universe)
When a cleaning lady spots a celebrated surfer being honored with a medal for heroism, her world comes crashing down. She recognizes him as the man who assaulted her years ago. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
With only a streetwise courier by her side, she sets out to expose the truth, risking everything to confront the man who’s built his life on lies.
Strangers in a Car Park is an unflinching and unorthodox drama about memory, justice, and the lies we tell ourselves and others.
Release Date: November 11 Watch: On Digital & On Demand
Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.
Toby Gad ushers in the season with his first holiday album. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
🎹 Toby Gad Unveils Piano Diaries – Christmas: A New Chapter in Holiday Music
GRAMMY®-winning songwriter Toby Gad releases Piano Diaries – Christmas on November 7, a deeply personal, all-original holiday album featuring Jordin Sparks, Victoria Justice, Loren Allred, and more.
Los Angeles, CA — After decades shaping some of pop music’s most defining hits, GRAMMY®-winning and Diamond-certified songwriter Toby Gad turns inward this season with the release of his first all-original holiday album, Piano Diaries – Christmas, available on all digital platforms November 7. Pre-save here. (Miller PR, 2025)
Known for writing emotional powerhouses like John Legend’s “All Of Me,” Beyoncé’s “If I Were A Boy,” and Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” Gad now turns his songwriting lens toward the most nostalgic and heartfelt season of the year.
✨ A Modern Holiday Songbook
Each song on Piano Diaries – Christmas was born from authentic, intimate collaboration. Gad invited twelve world-class vocalists to sit at the piano and transform their most personal holiday memories into original songs. The result is a modern seasonal songbook that blends intimacy and sophistication through piano, orchestral, and vocal performances.
The twelve-track collection features performances by:
Jordin Sparks (American Idol)
Victoria Justice (TV star and pop singer)
Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman)
Megan McKenna (Celeb-X winner)
Michael Huntley (The Voice Season 24 winner)
Louisa Johnson (X-Factor winner)
Anthony Gargiula (TikTok sensation)
Sam Ryder (Eurovision star) …and more.
🎶 Stories Told in Song
A deeply personal project, Piano Diaries – Christmas radiates warmth and reflection. Each track unfolds like an entry in Gad’s musical journal: intimate, cinematic, and timeless.
“With Piano Diaries – Christmas, I wanted to create a timeless soundtrack that feels like a letter to the season itself. Every song carries a personal story of the artist singing it, and each performance reflects a sentimental truth about their own experience of the holidays.” – Toby Gad
The album strikes a rare balance between reverence and reinvention:
Jordin Sparks’ “Christmas Takes Me Back Home” and Michael Huntley’s “Mama Made Christmas” channel nostalgia and family tradition.
Megan McKenna’s “Feels Like Hallelujah” and Anthony Gargiula’s “Fall in Love with Christmas” radiate pure joy.
Victoria Justice’s “Blessed” and Dionne Bromfield’s “Christmas For One” bring emotional depth and quiet introspection.
Together, they capture the many shades of the holiday season.
🎄 Release Details
Piano Diaries – Christmas will be available November 7 on all streaming platforms via Kite Records. A limited-edition vinyl will also be sold at The London Shard, accompanied by two exclusive Christmas Live performances on December 15 and 16.
🎵 About Toby Gad
Toby Gad is a GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, celebrated for crafting timeless pop anthems across genres from pop and R&B to rock. His catalog of hits spans decades and includes collaborations with some of the biggest artists in the world.
Beyond his chart-topping success, Gad has expanded into filmmaking, directing and producing documentaries centered on environmental causes close to his heart.
With Piano Diaries – Christmas, Gad steps into the spotlight under his own name, creating an original and heartfelt collection that feels destined to join the canon of modern holiday classics.
Piano Diaries – Christmas Tracklist:
Joelle James – “Kiss Me for Christmas”
Loren Allred – “What a Wonderful Night”
Huntley – “Mama Made Christmas”
Sam Ryder – “Holy Night”
Megan McKenna – “Feels Like Hallelujah”
Gavin James – “We’ve Really Loved Someone”
Louisa Johnson – “Follow the Stars”
Victoria Justice – “Blessed”
Jordin Sparks – “Christmas Takes Me Back Home”
Dionne Bromfield – “Christmas For One”
Anthony Gargiula – “Fall in Love with Christmas” Bonus Track:
The final PechaKucha of 2025 will take place this Thursday November 6. Photo: PechaKucha San Antonio, used with permission.
PechaKucha San Antonio Closes Out 2025 with Volume 47 at the Tobin Center
SAN ANTONIO, TX —PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series known for its fast-paced storytelling format, is excited to announce Volume 47— the final event in its 2025 series. (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2025)
📅 Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025 📍 Location: Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205 🕕 Schedule:
6:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception
7:30 p.m. — Presentations Begin
A Night of Creativity at the Tobin Center
Nestled along the banks of the San Antonio River, the historic Tobin Center is a downtown landmark that blends its original facade with a state-of-the-art performance space. This beautifully restored venue has become a beacon of creativity, fine art, and urban revitalization and it’s the perfect setting for PechaKucha’s final 2025 event.
Meet the Volume 47 Presenters
This edition of PechaKucha San Antonio will spotlight seven inspiring local voices, each sharing their passions through the signature 20×20 format — 20 images, 20 seconds each.
✨ The evening’s emcee will be Naomi Shihab Nye, San Antonio–based poet, educator, editor, and former Poet Laureate.
Music, Food, and Community
The welcome reception will feature live music by Kitten Mitten, a band of animal-loving friends turning their pets’ antics into anthems, blending heart and humor to amplify both furry and human voices that too often go unheard.
Guests will enjoy complimentary bites from local favorites including: 🍽 Liberty Bar • Tio Pelon’s Salsita • Cheesy Jane’s • Bakery Lorraine • Tobin Catering
The Tobin Center will also offer drinks and cocktails for purchase throughout the night.
Tickets
🎟 Tickets: $10 per person 🔗 Purchase here:Tobin Center
About PechaKucha
PechaKucha (pronounced PEH-chuh KOO-chuh) is a global arts and culture event where presenters share their passions through 20 images x 20 seconds — a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds per talk.
The format was created by Klein Dytham Architecture in Tokyo in 2003 to encourage creative professionals to share ideas in a concise and engaging way. Since then, PechaKucha has grown to over 1,200 cities worldwide.
San Antonio hosted its first PechaKucha Night in February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees each quarter, featuring architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders, and more.
Charlie, a notorious serial killer known as The Midnight Mangler, finds himself trapped reliving the same violent night over and over. At first, he embraces his grisly urges but as the cycle continues, desperation sets in. Haunted by his actions and unable to escape the endless nightmare, Charlie begins to unravel both mentally and morally. It is available for streaming for free on Amazon Prime and The Roku Channel and for rent/buy on Fandango at Home, Google Play Movies, among others.
Review
Kill Me Again is a gripping psychological horror-thriller that takes the “time loop” concept and twists it into something darkly original. The film follows the Midnight Mangler, a notorious serial killer who becomes trapped reliving the same brutal night again and again and forced to face his own monstrosity with each repetition. It starts off as a regular slasher movie but evolves into a chilling study of guilt, punishment, and the possibility of redemption.
Keith Jardine’s direction is sharp and atmospheric, using shadowy cinematography to mirror the killer’s descent into madness. Even the name of the café, The Killer Café, points to how everything centers around Charlie. Though uncomfortable to watch, Charlie’s initial encounter with Ana shows the depth of his depravity. Each repeated night peels back another layer of his past, revealing brief flashes of humanity beneath the horror. The pacing is relentless yet purposeful, balancing the gore with moments of eerie introspection. Jardine has a small but significant role that comes full circle at the end.
Brendan Fehr delivers a standout performance, menacing yet heartbreakingly human, as the Midnight Mangler. As the loops continue, his torment shifts from physical violence to existential dread. He begins to question his own identity and the meaning of his endless suffering. Towards the end, you can tell he wants to overcome his evil nature, but succumbs every time. The story becomes less about murder and more about moral reckoning.
Stylish, unsettling, and surprisingly introspective, Kill Me Again is a chilling exploration of the cyclical nature of evil and the nightmare of never escaping oneself. There’s plenty of violence and gore to please fans of slasher films, yet the overall message is more of a social commentary.
Pearl ofrenda. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
Where to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Antonio: A Guide to New and Expanded Events
From art-filled altars to soulful dinners, the city honors life, love, and remembrance.
San Antonio is a city that remembers, a place where history, heart, and heritage intertwine beautifully during Día de los Muertos. In 2025, the celebration grows even more vibrant, with expanded events at Pearl, Pullman Market, and Clementine. Whether you’re drawn by the music, the food, or the cultural traditions, these celebrations offer a meaningful way to honor loved ones and embrace the spirit of community.
Día de los Muertos at Pearl
Dates: Saturday, November 1 & Sunday, November 2 Location: Pearl Park
Pearl once again comes alive with color, music, and memory as it hosts its annual Día de los Muertos festivities, now a two-day celebration.
Highlights include:
Large-scale, artist-curated ofrendas across the Pearl campus
Live performances by Grupo Volcan (Sunday)
Children’s art activities hosted by the Consulado de México
A communal procession through Pearl on Sunday evening at 7:15 p.m.
Roaming entertainers, art installations, and food inspired by Mexican traditions
A Catrin & Catrina Contest featuring a partnership with i la Catrina, showcasing seven live fashion Catrinas that tell the story and evolution of La Catrina through the ages
Special Experiences:
Sabores de México at Pearl – November 2 at Stable Hall A ticketed event featuring live-fire cooking, storytelling, traditional gastronomy, and music honoring Mexico’s ancestral flavors and cultural heritage.
Mark your calendars and experience a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and community remembrance at Pearl.
Pullman Market: A Four-Day Celebration
Dates: October 23 – November 2 Location: Pullman Market
Pullman Market honors Día de los Muertos with a lively four-day celebration featuring ofrendas, costume contests, live DJ sets, and family-friendly fun at Mezquite.
Event Highlights:
Ofrenda Live (Oct. 23–Nov. 2): The Pullman Market altar honors San Antonio’s farmers and market pioneers, adorned with fresh produce, baked goods, and a Texas beer as an offering of remembrance.
Muertos Mariachi (Oct. 30, 5–7 p.m.): Enjoy live mariachi performances by the market’s ofrenda, blending music and memory in a community gathering.
Muertos at Mezquite (Nov. 1–2): A two-day celebration of music, color, and community featuring food, fun, and festive beats for the whole family.
Halloween Offerings at Pullman Market
Mezquite Halloween Pachanga – Friday, October 31, 6:30 p.m. to midnight Celebrate with food, music, and costume contests for both kids and adults.
Clementine, the beloved Castle Hills restaurant, is hosting its annual Día de los Muertos dinner in collaboration with 2M Smokehouse and Baked.
Chefs John and Elise Russ, Esaul Ramos Jr., and Grecia Ramos join forces for a one-night-only six-course prix-fixe menu, a heartfelt celebration of remembrance, flavor, and community.
Evening Highlights:
Mariachi performances and a stunning community ofrenda on the patio
Guests can write love affirmations for departed loved ones and place them on the ofrenda
Interactive beverage tasting stations featuring a curated selection of wines
To close the evening, Elise and Grecia will present Día de los Muertos-inspired desserts, including creative takes on pan de muerto, calabaza treats, mini sundaes, and sweet mignardises.
Clementine’s annual dinner is a beautiful tribute to loved ones, where food, music, and shared memories bring the community together in true Día de los Muertos spirit.
Celebrate, Remember, and Reconnect
From Pearl’s grand installations to intimate culinary experiences at Clementine, San Antonio offers countless ways to celebrate life and honor those who came before us. This Día de los Muertos season, immerse yourself in the city’s rich blend of culture, remembrance, and community spirit.
Pivotal 90s hardcore/punks Ink & Dagger announces catalog reissue. Photo: Chris P., used with permission.
Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works — The Vampiric Legends of Philadelphia Rise Again
Philadelphia, PA — From 1996 to 1999, Philadelphia’s Ink & Dagger burned like a Roman candle, blurring the lines between punk, hardcore, and psychedelia. They were an enigma wrapped in rumors, vampire lore, and blood-spattered theatrics. Equal parts chaos and prank, their ever-shifting lineup fed on energy and spat it back as something entirely their own. (another side, 2025)
Controversial, influential, and long out of print, the band’s complete legacy has finally risen from the grave. Trust Records has announced a full reissue of Ink & Dagger’s discography across three standalone LPs:
Drive This Seven Inch Wooden Stake Through My Philadelphia Heart
The Fine Art of Original Sin
Ink & Dagger
All audio has been remastered by David Cooley (M83, Tame Impala, Jimmy Eat World). Each album will be available in stores and on digital platforms for the first time ever on October 31.
The Deluxe Box Set: Ink & Dagger — The Complete Works
A deluxe edition box set, Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works, has also been announced. This limited release (only 500 copies) includes:
All three remastered LPs
A fourth LP titled Experiments in Nocturnal Sound and Energy: Singles 96–99
A book/insert titled “The Almighty” by writer Erik Bader
Box design by visual artist Jeremy Dean
Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works ships March 2026.
The Albums
LP 1 — Drive This Seven Inch Wooden Stake Through My Philadelphia Heart
Includes the band’s first two EPs and a bonus track. This marks the first time the collection is available on vinyl, it was originally CD-only in the ’90s. Featuring blistering early cuts like:
“The Changeling”
“Frigid Shortcomings”
“The Road to Hell”
“Full Circle”
LP 2 — The Fine Art of Original Sin
Originally released in 1998, this was Ink & Dagger’s first full-length album, an unholy collision of punk, hardcore, electronica, and rock & roll. Fine Art captured the band at their creative and chaotic peak.
LP 3 — Ink & Dagger
Released posthumously in 2000 by Buddyhead, this album was the band’s final statement, a swirling, psychedelic soundscape that defied category. It offered a haunting glimpse of a future that never came.
LP 4 — Experiments in Nocturnal Sound and Energy: Singles 96–99
Exclusive to the box set, this LP compiles B-sides, singles, and split releases, a sinister showcase of the band’s boundary-pushing sound experiments.
The Legacy
In 1996, Philadelphia hardcore veterans Sean McCabe (Crud Is a Cult, Mandela Strike Force) and Don Devore (Frail, The Icarus Line, The Lilys) set out to create a new kind of band, a century-ending statement that would explode underground music’s boundaries.
Their vision fused punk aggression with occult mystique and a heavy dose of theatrical mischief. They presented rock & roll as a psychic vampire, feeding on energy to achieve immortality.
Tragically, during what was meant to be a short hiatus, frontman Sean McCabe died in 2000 at the age of 27. His death, like much of Ink & Dagger’s story, remains wrapped in mystery, leaving behind a blazing but brief legacy that refused to die.
For decades, their long out-of-print recordings circulated only among collectors and diehards. Stories of blood-soaked performances and chaotic tours became modern myth.
The Resurrection
Now, decades later, Ink & Dagger’s shock and awe return in full force. A caustic keystone of hardcore history, these reissues don’t just preserve the past, they resurrect it, fangs bared, to inspire a new generation of the wild and the fearless.
Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works Available October 31 (LPs) Deluxe Box Set Ships March 2026
‘The Innocent Days of War’ is a haunting portrait of WWII lives. Photo: Other Press
Book Spotlight: The Innocent Days of War by Mario Fortunato
Fans of John Boyne and Simon Mawer will find much to admire in Mario Fortunato’s latest novel, The Innocent Days of War (On Sale: October 28, 2025). This gripping coming-of-age story unfolds against the sweeping backdrop of World War II, tracing how love, ambition, and destiny intertwine as Italy and England are forever changed by the war. (Other Press, 2025)
A Story of Youth, War, and Intersecting Lives
Set in central Italy on the eve of World War II, the novel introduces a group of young Italians whose lives are about to be upended by history. Among them is Stefano Portelli, a hopeful young lawyer filled with idealism and in love with Eleonora. His sister-in-law Nina hides a secret relationship with Sergio, a partisan leader fighting for his cause.
Meanwhile, across the Channel, the story follows Alastair Ormiston, an English Royal Air Force pilot who finds solace in the works of Virginia Woolf as he dreams of an ideal companion. His best friend, Edna, seeks her own sense of purpose and joy amid the devastation of Nazi bombings in London.
When these characters’ paths intersect, the result is both tragic and transformative—a convergence of love, loss, and fate that consumes everything in its wake, blending joy and pain into a single, unforgettable tapestry.
About the Author
Mario Fortunato was born in Cirò, Calabria, Italy. A longtime literary critic for L’Espresso, he continues to write for Süddeutsche Zeitung and has contributed to The Guardian and Le Monde. Fortunato is a former director of the Antonio Ratti Foundation and the author of several novels, including South (Other Press, 2023). He has also translated the works of literary greats such as Evelyn Waugh, Virginia Woolf, and Henry James into Italian.
About the Translator
Julia MacGibbon has translated fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including Sunken City by Marta Barone. She lives near Rome.
Praise for Mario Fortunato:
“As I read Fortunato’s writing, I have the impression of being faced with that kind of writer, rare in Italian literature, who, despite starting from a poetic state of mind, nevertheless manages to be a storyteller.” —Alberto Moravia
“Mario Fortunato is a natural storyteller.” —Doris Lessing
Miguel Huerta and Pasqual Gutierrez in Pasqual Gutierrez’ Serious People. Photo: Tribeca Films/Memory, used with permission.
🎬Serious People
“Life’s a Movie”
Written and Directed by: Pasqual Gutierrez & Ben Mullinkosson Produced by: Ryan Hahn, Laurel Thomson, Teddy Lee Starring: Pasqual Gutierrez, Christine Yuan, RJ Sanchez, Miguel Huerta
Official Selection:Sundance Film Festival 2025 In Theaters: November 14, 2025 On Demand: December 16, 2025 (all major platforms)
Tribeca Films x Memory Present Serious People
About the Film
Serious People follows successful music video director Pasqual Gutierrez, who faces a life-altering dilemma on the due date of his first child: accept the biggest music video project of his career or finally step back and focus on his family. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)
Frustrated by his lack of balance, Pasqual makes a bold decision, he casts a doppelgänger named Miguel to fill his shoes in his directing duo, Cliqua, while he takes paternity leave. But as he spends more time teaching Miguel how to inhabit his life, the line between real and replacement begins to blur.
The result is a sharp, funny, and emotionally charged look at ambition, identity, and the replaceability of people in clout-driven Los Angeles. The film ultimately asks: What does it mean to be a director, a parent, and, most of all, a real person?
Running Time: 86 minutes (USA, Feature Film)
Behind the Camera
Pasqual Gutierrez
An award-winning American filmmaker, Gutierrez is best known as one half of Cliqua, the powerhouse directing duo behind some of the biggest music videos of the past decade. Together with RJ Sanchez, he’s collaborated with Bad Bunny, Rosalia, J Balvin, Madonna, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd, among many others.
Gutierrez’ work has earned multiple nominations and an MTV VMA, and his debut short film Shut Up & Fish, now Oscar-qualified, has been making waves on the festival circuit. Serious People marks his first narrative feature film, which made its world premiere at Sundance 2025.
Ben Mullinkosson
Co-writer and co-director Ben Mullinkosson brings his documentary sensibility to Serious People, blending realism with dark humor. His 2023 documentary The Last Year of Darkness won the Special Jury Mention at CPH:DOX and was released by MUBI.
Mullinkosson’s earlier work includes Gnarly in Pink (Tribeca Film Festival, 2013), distributed by The New York Times Op-Docs, and a series of acclaimed shorts that have earned Vimeo Staff Picks and millions of online views.
Why Serious People Matters
Serious People is a reflection on modern creativity, work, and self-worth. It’s a satire of hustle culture wrapped in a heartfelt story about fatherhood and identity. The film captures what it feels like to be torn between personal meaning and professional validation, a tension many of us know all too well.
Opening in theaters on November 14, with a Video On Demand release on December 16, this debut feature promises to be one of the most talked-about indie films of the year.
Serious People poster. Photo: Tribeca Films/Memory, used with permission.
Hotel Contessa will host various spirited activations for Día de los Muertos. Photo: Hotel Contessa, used with permission.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos All Month Long at Hotel Contessa
This October, Hotel Contessa invites guests and locals alike to experience a vibrant monthlong Día de los Muertos celebration along San Antonio’s iconic River Walk. The festivities will feature colorful cultural traditions, hands-on workshops, culinary delights, and live entertainment designed to honor remembrance and bring the community together. (Hotel Contessa, 2025)
🎉 Día de los Muertos River Parade Celebration
📍 River Level Atrium & River Patio 🗓 Friday, Oct. 24 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
San Antonio’s Day of the Dead River Parade returns with elaborately decorated floats, catrinas, and costumed riders. Guests staying at Hotel Contessa can enjoy front-row seats to the parade, plus face painting, mariachi music, a live DJ, and local tacos and food vendors.
🎟 Tickets: $50–$110 (via Eventbrite) Status: Sold Out
🌺 Día de los Muertos River Parade – VIP Terrace Experience
Enjoy an elevated view of the River Parade from Hotel Contessa’s private rooftop terrace. This exclusive VIP experience includes two specialty cocktails, private bar access, DJ entertainment, and a flower crown-making station. VIP guests will also be entered into a raffle to win a one-night stay at Hotel Contessa in 2026.
🎟 Tickets: Starting at $175 per person (Eventbrite)
Watch as culinary students from St. Philip’s College compete to create the best taco in town. Guests can enjoy complimentary light bites and refreshments while cheering on the chefs.
Perfect for kids 12 and under, this interactive workshop led by local artist Mary Carmen Sessions teaches the traditions of Día de los Muertos through hands-on art projects. Children will create tissue paper marigolds, colorful papel picado, and mini pan de muerto from modeling clay while learning the meaning behind each symbol.
🎟 Tickets: $25 per child (includes supplies, drink, and snacks) — purchase tickets [here].
An evening for adults to sip, socialize, and create. Guests will design their own mini altar while enjoying a signature cocktail and learning about the cultural significance of altar traditions.
🎟 Tickets: $55 per person (includes cocktail and altar kit) — purchase tickets [here].
🖼️ Monthly Art Fair: Día de los Muertos Edition + CAST School Art Reveal
This special edition of Hotel Contessa’s monthly art fair transforms the atrium into a lively marketplace of local artists and artisans, featuring Día de los Muertos–inspired works. Guests can also enjoy a student art reveal from CAST School, where young artists collaborate with professional mentors.
🎟 Free and open to the public — no RSVP required.
👻 Spooky Spa Halloween Party
📍 Rooftop Spa 🗓 Thursday, Oct. 31 | 6–9 p.m.
Cap off the month with an adults-only Halloween celebration at Hotel Contessa’s rooftop spa. Enjoy spa and jacuzzi access, themed demos, light bites, spooky cocktails, and a crystal sound bath experience. Guests can sign up for up to three spa sessions, including chair massages, Japanese head spa demos, infrared sauna services, and cold plunge stretch sessions.
The evening also includes adult trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and complimentary parking.
🎟 Sound bath tickets: $30 per person (limited availability; RSVP required)
📍 Hotel Contessa 306 W. Market St. San Antonio, TX 78205
The Spells to release debut LP nearly 30 years later. Photo: Nick Zinner, used with permission.
The Spells Unearth Long-Lost 1997 Debut The Night Has Eyes
Long-lost NYC trio The Spells has announced the long-overdue release of their 1997 debut album The Night Has Eyes, arriving Halloween 2025 on vinyl and digital via Garganta Press. The deluxe LP package includes a 16-page booklet filled with never-before-seen photos and stories from the band’s brief but unforgettable run. (US/THEM Group, 2025)
Originally shelved after the band dissolved in 1998, The Night Has Eyes became the stuff of underground legend, whispered about among fans of ‘90s garage punk and NYC’s darker sonic corners. Now, nearly three decades later, it finally sees the light of day.
From Austin to NYC: A Short, Brilliant Flame
The Spells, made up of Nicole Barrick (guitar, vocals), Marisa Pool (bass, vocals), and Leni Zumas (drums) formed in Austin, TX in 1995, rising from the ashes of an earlier project called The Red Scare. They relocated to New York City, where they recorded their debut with producer Greg Talenfeld (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Pavement, The Walkmen) at Waterworks Studio in November 1997.
A Hidden Treasure Resurfaces
The newly mastered LP, produced by Greg Talenfeld and The Spells and mastered for vinyl by Honza Kapak at Hellsound Studio in the Czech Republic, captures the raw energy and shadowy allure of the late-‘90s NYC underground.
The 16-page booklet features unseen photos from Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Iggy Pop) and Lilian Lee, taken during the band’s final years in 1997–98.
SA Examiner 