Women in Horror Month: DJ and photographer LIDIA VOMITO!

ARF: Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Born and raised in Chicago, but as a child I was raised in Mexico. I’m a lover of horror, an amateur film photographer and metal/horror disc jockey at 105.5 F.M., Lumpen Radio, in Chicago.  (LISTEN TO A SHOW HERE!)

ARF: Where did your love for horror come from?
My love of horror stems from my respect for Death — before any fantasy story or movie, it started as a coping mechanism for me. As a child I became obsessed with the macabre and anything related to it due to losing close relatives and trying to understand it all. Horror films only seemed natural to me and I became a full-blown addict! The thrill of watching horror films at night was exciting and of course late nights with horror hosts like Elvira: Mistress of Dark and the Son of Svengoolie, now officially Svengoolie, did a great job of shaping my childhood. Showing cheesy ‘80s campy horror films and, most importantly, schooling us on the Classic Universal Monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man and The Mummy. I couldn’t help but to relate with them. So yeah, long story, short, I was the weird kid in class.

ARF: You are also a radio DJ, what’s do horror and music have in common for you?
For me, music and horror have always been equally addictive and attractive in their otherworldly strangeness... In other words, it ain’t just a fuckin’ costume. Growing up listening to anything related to “Rock n Roll” from industrial, goth rock, punk, hard-rock, glam, on and on, etc., was such a big part of my upbringing. As far as the rock and horror connection, and its sub-genres go, many rock and roll songs were featured in horror films in the ‘80s. I love movies like Return of the Living Dead, with bands like The Cramps and 45 Grave! Accept “Fast as a Shark” in Demons! I loved hearing these songs coupled with the movies I grew up on. Horror films and their soundtracks have become very popular over the years, so much so that you can even see live performances from composers like director John Carpenter and musical acts from the Italian horror maestros, Goblin. How cool is that!?!? But as a radio host DJ, I like to create an atmosphere filled with heavy riffs and killer soundtracks of horror for other living misfits.

ARF: Do you try to create narratives under the lens of horror that are specific to your own identity?
Absolutely. It’s therapeutic. There are moments where I can’t find the right words to express myself; therefore, expressing through imagery is vital! Through photography I’m able to create narratives and create a voice by documenting my surroundings or experimenting with darker imagery. Working in the darkroom is also therapeutic especially with the process and the work that goes along with it. It keeps me sane! 

"My love of horror stems from my respect for Death — before any fantasy story or movie, it started as a coping mechanism for me."

​ARF: Do you feel that it is hard to navigate the horror universe while being Latinx?
Not really. Never really thought about it that way, never been keen on labels when first discovering the “art of horror.” Being of Mexican descent and recognizing my indigenous roots, we as people have always celebrated death just as much as life. Knowing this, I find great comfort in the path that I have chosen.

ARF: What’s your top three horror films and why?
Tobe Hooper’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is possibly one of the best horror film ever produced, in my opinion. When viewing TCM for the first time, I had never seen anything like it before. It blew my mind especially the way the film is shot — to see the sheer terror of what the characters endured on screen had me at the edge of my seat. That’s fantastic movie making! No CGI, all hands on. Anyway, there’s nothing more frightening than a family of isolated serial killing cannibals out in the middle of nowhere. The chase scenes had me tired and I wasn’t even doing the running — definitely one of my favorite films! The soundtrack alone is amazing! It has a genuine eerie feeling that keeps me wanting more.

Mario Bava’s “Black Sabbath.” This horror anthology is a masterful cinematographic work of art! There are three stories, all which are different from each other, but each have strong plots. The Telephone, it’s more of a giallo type story, The Wurdulak, a wonderful vampire story with Boris Karloff, and The Drop of Water, a ghost story and personal favorite. Bava’s creative use of composition and vibrant colors in these stories, especially Wurdaluk and The Drop of Water, made the film look like live paintings. 

This is tough, but another favorite would be ”City of the Living Dead” aka “Gates of Hell” 1980 Directed by Lucio Fulci. Besides that, the soundtrack is off the chain and this movie steps up the gore and splatter. After all, Lucio Fulci is the grandfather of gore! From the moment the film begins at the hanging of a clergy and the opening of the portal to the gates of hell — I was sold. There’s nothing better then a good unleashing of flesh rotting zombies to roam around city. Sure it’s got some terrible dubbing, but still a great film! The regurgitating gut footage in this film is sublime! …heheh.

ARF: Do you have any upcoming projects planned? 
Now that I have the time and space to work on my photography, I’ll be starting some flesh, ghoulish ideas! Also, I’m planning on collaborating and hosting other DJ’s who are involved in horror and metal on my radio show, “Release the Hounds.” Awoooo! That’s it for now, witches. 

ARF: Where can folks enjoy your show and how can we find you on the interwebs? 
Find me on Instagram @lidiavomito and tune in online at 10 pm central every first and third Monday of each month on www.lumpenradio.com or if you’re in the Chicago area, tune in at 105.5 F.M