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Damien Daville, Producer
LA Judge, Editor


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Interview with Damien Daville
Interviewd by LA Judge


When I first came back into the vampire community a few years ago, I was shocked that online community had come to revolve around fictional vampirism. Even the groups that had one foot in reality had the other squarely planted in fiction. And all too often the head of these organizations was a frustrated Dracula-wanna-be claiming to be a local vampire lord, lady, father or elder. Then I stumbled upon the Vampire Church.

Damien Daville is not the man I expected to find as a founder of an online vampire community. He is a quiet, intelligent man completely grounded in reality. A lion in the shadows, not always seen but whose powerful influence and clear reality based approach has guided thousands to an understanding of real vampirism. This strong, quick-witted man runs his organization with his skilled business sense and for over thirty years has taught offline about the realties of living everyday with vampirism.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to learn from the best as this month VC Magazine interviews Damien Daville, Founder of the Vampire Church


LA.: Thank you Damien for joining me in what is becoming an increasingly rare event, the opportunity to interview you. I am going to spare you the questions about "are you a real vampire" because that is simply a no-brainer. We would not be here if you were not. I do have to ask though, why it is that you are doing less and less interviews these days. I know that in this past year you have turned down the request for interviews with some major publications and television networks. Couldn't that be taken as counter productive to your message of getting the information out there on real vampirism? Why not grant every interview request that comes along?

Damien: You are welcome LA, glad to sit here and talk with you. You might say I am slowing down a bit, now that I have entered my 50s in age. I still continue to work a full time business as I always have in addition to the community and educational work I do with the subject of vampirism. Simply put, my stamina just is not what it use to be to put in 16 hours a day worth of work so I am cutting back on a lot of my work. I am still continuing my work with the Vampire Church. This Organization is active online and through offline offices and meetings. I am confident that other educational leaders on the subject will contribute their time. One of the problems I have had with granting interviews to the media is their desire to portray the role playing and movie image of vampirism. As you know I recently did an interview on the Kevin Smith radio show. That is one example where my message is carried to the public for its intended content, and not for some other purpose. The Kevin Smith show by the way can be found online at http://www.kevinsmithshow.com

LA.: What then do you see as your primary vehicle for getting the truth about real vampirism to the people who need the information?

Damien: Well, it has been for some years now through the Vampire Church with online resources and offline meetings and events. The Vampire Church has now been helping the community understand vampirism for ten years now and I see it continuing to grow and help in this way. My time will decrease some, but I am confident of others both in my Organization and in other groups to continue educating the public about real vampirism.

LA.: There is so much misinformation about vampirism out there - even among vampire groups. Spiritual vampirism, vampire lifestyles, vampire gamers - fictional vampires - wow what a confusing mix. Define real vampirism. What is the essence of real vampirism and do any of these other things enter into or influence it?

Damien: Real vampirism has been difficult to define and measure, however some research studies have been helpful. Simply put real vampirism is a physical condition that one is born with for the tendency to need the life giving energies offered by many sources in one's environment for wellness. These can include prana energies such as that found in blood, sex, and the breath of others. Also included are psychic, emotional and elemental energies. So it is important to note that how a person dresses or acts and a person's religion has nothing to do with their vampirism.

LA.: There is a lot of hard scientific research being done by major intuitions that fringes on human energy needs and fluctuations. The work on empathy at University College in London, the research into mediation at MIT sanctioned the Dalai Lama, John Langone's work suggesting that humans have a genetic link for the need to experience spiritualism or spiritual energy, Kay Redfield Jamison's work in psychology on "exuberance" / the energy level at which people approach life and more. Is there a link between all these different areas and where do you see this leading?

Damien: Yes, I believe all of this data conveys a common need for the life giving energies associated with all people and important to those suffering from real vampirism who must rely on "outside" sources apart from themselves for this energy nourishment, simply because as a result of their vampirism. These people cannot access this energy from within and so must "receive" it from elsewhere. These studies validate the need for these energies and how they are sent and received. The fact remains that these energies exist and are a need by humankind. I hope that these studies and this "awareness" will lead to a greater "consciousness" and then to further study of these energies.

LA.: The vampire "community" is a rocky place that you have navigated successfully for over thirty years. You were there in the thick of the 70's Punk scene that eventually morphed into what is now Goth. You even fronted a band, if I have heard that rumor correctly. In the 70's, there was not the use of vampire symbolism the way that it is prevalent today. Why do you think that current Goth culture has picked-up the fictional vampire imagery and how do you think this influences public perception of real vampirism?

Damien: This is definitely an interesting phenomenon. I watched when the internet came into being and became available over time to just about every household in the USA. I saw this "explosion" of interest in the subject of vampires and vampirism on the internet; it actually struck me as uncanny. And what I saw in large part on the internet was this fascination for titles, internet names from vampire books and movies, and "the life style" of a vampire with requirements on dress and belief in someone's ideology. I saw many references to the image portrayed in movies and books about vampires with dark looking people wearing fangs and claiming to have unusual powers. I believe people have always had a fascination for the glamorous and the powerful, and film and books on vampirism have provided them with that.

LA.: Every month there seems to be a new group that comes out of nowhere that makes claims that they are the "true" vampire group. Many of these groups have self-proclaimed elders hardly half your age. Many of these "elders" have first been list members of the Vampire Church. Most of these groups only last a few months and even with the ones that make it beyond that they seem to slowly fade away or deteriorate into chaos. One thing that these groups all seem to have in common is that the first thing they do is criticize the VC. Talk to me about that - how does that affect you personally & professionally.

Damien: This is an interesting observation. I have noticed this over the years, and I think you have this psychology happening where the "new guys" go after the "old guy" and try to find fault with what the "old guy" has been doing in order to justify the reason why the "new guy" needs to be there. I have been online on a regular basis for over ten years and the Vampire Church has had an online presence almost that long. I have never actively recruited anyone for membership, that is not my purpose here. I am here providing a haven for meetings and resources for learning, and I really don't care what any other group is here to do. What does concern me, however, is the amount of misinformation being put out by some groups who regard vampirism as either a lifestyle or a religious belief system. I believe that the Vampire Church has had some measured amount of success with educating the public and attracting people who want to better understand vampirism as a real physical based condition, and there are just some people who are just envious of that.

LA.: So be critical, what do you like best about the VC and what could happen better in your organization?

Damien: I believe the best things that the Vampire Church offers can be seen in its purpose that is to offer an online and offline haven for meetings and to provide resources thru articles and other written avenues that help people better understand real vampirism. I would like to see more involvement by its members in the online and offline programs that the Vampire Church offers, but I recognize that people have other obligations and other things that they would rather be doing. This Organization was founded by me as an active group offering programs that help people meet each other and learn more about the subject of vampirism and it is the involvement of its members that enable this. An organization is only as good as what its members are willing to put into it.

LA.: Another thing that seems to be a common practice of these start-up groups lately is they all claim to want to "unite the vampire community". Is there a vampire community that is structured enough to do that with and do we really need united?

Damien: I can understand the motives of those interested in uniting the online community and getting more dialogue going between groups with common ideals and purposes. I have at different times participated in some efforts at this with other groups, only to see petty bickering and clashes. I think part of the problem here just goes back to too many egos wanting attention for themselves. I have found that "uniting" the vampire community" is just a misnomer and just not possible given the psychology of the human condition. I believe that we are better served by just keeping an open mind and the lines of communication open, that in itself is enough of a task.

LA.: Looking forward in the next 10-15 years where do you see the vampire community heading? Is your organization still a vital part of that mix?

Damien: The online vampire community remains in my opinion a very fractured community of many groups that have their own interests. I believe as I have said that the best approach of any groups or organization is to keep an open mind and be tolerant of other groups with the willingness to keep the lines of communication open. I believe we will see many groups come into being offering help to the public on the subject of vampirism, and many of them will fade away as the founders of these groups tire with the subject and go on to other things. One thing the Vampire Church has done is last and continues offering educational tools for the community over a ten-year period, and I expect it to continue to do so many years to come.

LA.: And where do you see your continued role in that changing community and what inspires you to keep going?

Damien: That is a question I was about to reference in the last question. I see myself getting older and I hope to gain more involvement from others in the managing of the Vampire Church in the future. I no longer have the stamina to continue the pace of a full time job to pay the bills coupled with spending hours afterward online producing the VC Magazine and overseeing the Vampire Church. I am pulling back some of my active time in order to do a better job with the abilities and time I have. I am hoping I can count on more involvement from others in a leadership role in the Vampire Church. I am now in my fifties with age and managing my vampirism only gets more difficult with time. My abilities as with all people erode with age, and managing the many needs of life become more difficult, but I have always believed in helping the vampire community with educational resources and will continue to do so in more of an offline way as in years past.



LA.: A number of the community leaders that have been public as long as you have made a name for themselves and found a away to make a living off of vampirism. Why is that you never went that route, surely you have had plenty of opportunity?

Damien: One of the purposes I have had for the Vampire Church is to run it as a not for profit organization. I believed that if I paid for any online programs or fees, that I could ask people who became members to donate a little of their time in helping run programs that help people who come to the Vampire Church. I have always wanted to offer resources of information and access to meetings without charge. I have also always worked in a career field that supported my living expenses and managed the activities and programs of the Vampire Church at the same time. It is now getting more difficult to put in the hours required to do both as I get older, but I do what I can and depend on the help of other members to continue with the programs of the Vampire Church.

LA.: Another thing that comes up quite often in the general community is issues of trust. Many times people are emotionally battered because they never believed that that would have been lied to or mistreated in some way. How do you find yourself handling trust within the community both those inside & outside your organization?

Damien: It is a fact that trust is a very important factor needed with those you work with and with others whom you meet and establish working relationships. When I brought the Vampire Church to the internet nearly ten years ago, I quickly learned that believability can be a difficult thing when talking in a chat when all you have is another person behind a keyboard. I preferred use of my real name on my part early on for sincerity and believability on my part in the public, however, I understand people who are hesitant to use their real names on the internet. I believe that people need to take time to get to know other people especially on the internet and trust can be difficult to establish, but for long term working relationships, knowing who you are working with is important.

LA.: You have stated that loyalty is everything, yet over the years, your own VC Council has taken some pretty rocky bumps. Many of them have had their own groups to which they dedicated their time and talents. What is your relationship with your council, why even have a council and what are their role / purpose in your organization?

Damien: Well, I established the Council of the Vampire Church to bring together a few people who were willing and interested in helping run various programs of the Vampire Church. Council members put in more time and energy and obviously must believe in what this Organization is doing. I have worked with several people on the Council who have come and gone over the years, and I can say that most have been people I have respected and with whom I have enjoyed working. I think my only regret is not having more time to spend talking with the members of the Council, including just personal chats. The people who are members of the Council are important to me; they are the ones who run the programs of the vampire Church, which I created. I believe that my relationship with them could be better, but I blame little time and physical distance on that. For those reasons, I follow a more business relationship with them in order to achieve the objectives of the Organization. I have often wished I could do better than that, but it is the reality of the Organization.

LA.: Not to be rude or anything, but you are getting older. In fact, at 51, you are the oldest known vampire active in the community. I want to talk to you about that from several angles. In the movies, vampires live forever, but realistically vampires have a much harder time of it as they age. I know myself from getting older, vampirism changes as you age, and you have to adapt to keep your energy balance. How has your vampirism changed and what things do you find you have to do differently?

Damien: Well, we know that real vampires are just people with a problem processing life-giving energies. Therefore people with the vampire condition age just like anyone else in their life. Like any affliction, vampirism just adds another burden to other physical problems that a person has to deal with. I also believe that all people's abilities decline with age. I believe this is especially true in how well one responds to change in his or her environment. Vampirism is just another need one has to tend to and live with among others. With myself, I have found that as I am getting older, managing my vampirism is getting more difficult and my sensitivity to my environment is increasing, which means I must put more time managing my environment and the stress that comes with it.

LA.: Why is it that you don't see any "old" vampires?

Damien: As I have said, vampirism is an affliction or physical condition that just adds another need to manage. As one gets older, abilities decline and that also includes the ability to manage vampirism. Add a greater sensitivity to one's environment, and there is more stress. I believe that real vampires tend to decrease their public view in later years to better deal with their vampirism. Like any other affliction, vampirism becomes more difficult to cope with in age.

LA.: Now that you are aging, where do you see yourself fitting into the community where the average age is in the early twenties?

Damien: Well, I hope that I can contribute in an educational sense through teaching classes and lecturing on the many facets of vampirism. I will continue to do less than I have in years past. I am hopeful I will finish a book I started a few years ago on the misconceptions of vampirism, which I hope will be a benefit to the public and the community. I know I will be spending more time to myself and with personal friends.

LA.: As a teacher / mentor / role model, what do you see as your legacy?

Damien: Well, I hope that people will remember the work that many others and I did through the Vampire Church in our efforts to help other people understand vampirism, better cope with it, and help others meet like-minded people on the subject. I also hope the work I started with the Vampire Church continues when I leave by others who want to achieve the very things I set out to do when I started this Organization. I would like to be seen as a leader who gave to the community all I had in a very unselfish way. Titles and position have never been important to me, but I would like to see the work I started continue without me. I am a realist and understand the reality of vampirism as a true physical condition and I hope that science and research will in time better validate this condition. I have long worked to bring this knowledge out through the experiences I have had in my life, I am sure others will do the same.

LA.: Stepping away from the questions on community a bit & changing gears…you present a bit of an enigma. You are probably the most public vampire that has ever lived, yet you are an intensely private man. That must be a very difficult balance to maintain. Few ever get to know you beyond the basics, including some of those in your organization with which you so closely work. Why is it that you choose to draw that line?

Damien: Well, I have always wanted to project an image of believability through sincerity about a subject that is ridiculed and largely misunderstood by the public. I recognize the exposure one gets in being yourself, using your real name, and being open about yourself as a person; however, I have never regretted my openness despite the redicule I would receive. I believe that bringing the condition of vampirism to the public and being a public figure has in some way drawn attention to it and helped many better understand it despite the film and media portrayal of it. Like any other person, however, my personal life is my own and I have endeavored to keep my personal life private to me and the few people I am close to. I believe that this can be achieved through an acceptable balance despite the fact that so many are not able to keep elements about their life private. It is a difficult balance.

LA.: I know that you are divorced, a father, and have moved twice in the past two years to take care of some family issues. How does all this affect your vampirism? Moving is hell - being a parent is the hardest job on the planet. Is there any advice you can offer others in balancing your vampirism with your personal / family life?

Damien: Well, vampirism is a difficult and sensitive matter to live with and manage. Many who have it find how difficult it is early on to talk about it with family and friends without disbelief and redicule. One could live a more reclusive life but that is not very realistic, and not usually helpful with ones vampirism. I knew when I became a more public figure that family and friends would know about my vampirism, and that has proven difficult to deal with. Even having your workplace know of it can be detrimental to your future employment, so a balance with who you decide who knows about it is certainly important. The more change in your environment, the more difficult managing your vampirism can be. Because real vampires are very sensitive to environment changes, there is usually more stress.

LA.: I know that you have said that as you have aged your vampirism has become increasingly more difficult. Layout a road map. What can other aging vampires expect? What are the affects that vampirism has had on your aging body?

Damien: As I have pointed out, with aging, abilities decline. The ability to manage ones vampirism become more difficult unless one has prana energies already established. People with the vampire condition are sensitive to their environment, this sensitivity increases over time especially with age, and that also creates more stress in probably an already stressful life. Managing time becomes more difficult and physical symptoms of a worn out and energy depleted body are more common. I have found that I want more time away from people and my environment, that is more time alone. I then try and make more efficient use of life giving energies.

LA.: I'd like to end this interview with any personal insights that you can offer. What would the Damien Daville of today offer as advice to the one that entered the vampire community 35 years ago? What have you learned, what pitfalls would you avoid and what do you see as your greatest successes?

Damien: Well, that is a big question. I have to say that I have learned so much from the life experiences of others. There is so much that other people can teach you and then you have to apply what you learn. I tell people who have the vampire condition to learn all they can from others, and to learn to apply, adapt and hone abilities to better access that energy you will need during a lifetime. I wanted to share what I learned and decided that I could help people with my insight during a time when there was no internet and meeting people was very difficult at best. Today you have this explosion of interest and people meeting others on the internet and that is a place that allows you to look for others near you. The only problem I see is there is too many groups who want to role-play vampirism as a "lifestyle" or a "belief system". It is neither. Always ask questions and think for yourself, it is easy to let others think for you. Always be willing to learn from others, you will find that there are always others that can teach you something.

LA.: Thank you Damien. As always, are truly a gentleman and it has been a privilege and a pleasure.

Damien: And it is always interesting sitting down to an interview with you LA, again I enjoyed it. You are welcome.



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