Portrait - DJ Zombiefied Giovanna - 2025 ENG

Among the many excellent DJs who have emerged in recent years, I had never interviewed anyone working across the Atlantic. It is now time to correct that oversight by introducing you to a true underground enthusiast and a first-rate activist: the incredible DJ Zombiefied Giovanna.

In addition to setting the dance floors of her hometown ablaze, Giovanna also produces mixes online (notably via Mixcloud) and regularly attends Goth festivals across the United States, gradually becoming a living memory of these scenes so dear to our hearts.

After several exchanges on various topics, it seemed important to give the floor to this true she-devil of American goth nights.

– Interview conducted by Xzvrey in 2025.

Giovanna On Mixcloud

1. Hell-o Giovanna! First of all, how are you doing? Where have you played a set over the past few weeks/months?

Hey there ! I am doing very good, thank you! As of the recent few months I played sets in Albuquerque New Mexico for New Mexico Goth Fest, Santa Fe New Mexico and San Antonio Texas a few times. As well as my home city El Paso Texas, doing regular Goth, DeathRock nights . I do very much enjoy dj’ing goth sets in other cities, having a fun time with the local Goth Scenes and getting to know cool new people. Working out dates for other cities which I’m quite excited for.

2. Could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your DJ career so far? How did it begin?

I am Dj Zombiefied Giovanna, I’m from El Paso Texas, born and raised . I’m fairly new to being a dj , about two years. How it started I’m more on the underground side of the scene, Goth Rock Deathrock, which are the two most under utilized genres in the recent modern scenes, which revolves mostly around the fan favorites, Ebm, Industrial, 80ties retro, and trendy goth which is ok but not really much my thing. I wanted to do something outside the club kid/ raver trendy goth aspect and go more in depths of the gritty underground Goth DeathRock, bring a kickass BatCave vibe back from the dead.

3. Can you explain why you chose the nickname ZombiefiedGiovanna? It shreds, if you ask me 😉

Originally my name on socials was Annapocalypse, I switched to Zombiefied Giovanna. Inspired by the legendary Alien Sex Fiend and their cult classic “ Now I’m Feeling Zombiefied”As well as my undeniable obsession in Zombie Horror , being dead and coming back from death, like I feel bringing goth music back from the dead in today’s mainstream trendy world lol joking.

4. Was there a specific piece of music that started it all for you?Which records first drew you deep into the gothicunderground? You seem to have a lot of references nowadays.

When I was a teenager I started getting into music, and the darker style of rock music always clicked with me . I got into goth music in my teenage years . Became obsessed with Siouxsie and the Banshees’s Ju Ju and especially Rozz William’s Christian Death - Only Theatre of Pain and absolutely loved Catastrophe Ballet, loved Shadow Project and getting deep into underground like Alien Sex Friend, Cinema Strange, Switchblade Symphony, Suspiria, on my way to and from school I would blast "Allegedly , Dancefloor Tragedy" , one of my all time favorite songs since I was a kid.

5. Speaking of gothic culture — what does it mean to you? Whatdo you find in these subcultures that really speaks to you? If you could change something about it, what would it be?

Goth being a music based subculture, to me what speaks out is the obscurity and creativity, goth music is an art, it’s an identity.

If I could change something about it, I would change the mainstream and obsession in needing that goth tag to validate commercialized mediocrity and off genre trends , and move towards for more contributions in substance and quality in making the Goth subculture more authentic. I’ve always been against scene exploitation, it’s what kills the subculture.

6. These days, which bands are you obsessed with? Could you recommend a few to the people reading this?

I love digging deep and discovering underground bands old school and new. Newer bands I’m enjoying listening to are Oracion Funebre, Funeral Process, Illegal Funeral, Lessons In Purgatory, Eat My Teeth and Culture Hex.

7. You live in Texas, right? Are there a lot of concerts, festivals, goth parties, DJ nights, etc., in your area? Do you sometimestravel to other states to take part in events?

I live in El Paso Texas, it’s a small city and pretty far from other bigger cities, the scene here is pretty small. We try and bring bands through here, El Paso is along the way when bands do a southern tour route .

We do a bunch of goth nights here to give the scene more options on their weekends. Goth nights I’m part of, I’d like to bring more underground Goth/ Deathrock. I’m the DeathRock dj here. I also like getting younger newer goths in the scene and teach how to dj and help put their own nights together, keeps the scene alive, Goth Nights are best by goths for goths .

San Antonio and Austin Texas are real fun places to visit , a ton of bands touring through there, large goth scenes, kick ass Goth Djs. Houston Texas has this festival called Dark Ceremony, went last year to see London After Midnight, had a blast and this year Fields Of The Nephilim, Pink Turns Blue, She Past Away and Traitrs are headlining, I’m very excited for. Los Angeles is so much fun, went for cruel world and darker waves festivals, Colorado Goth Fest in Denver Colorado was so much fun going to. The past few years I’ve been going to Albuquerque, New Mexico for New Mexico Goth Fest, also very fun, I was a special guest Dj for Day 2 and I had a blast. Planning on traveling more.

8. Let’s take a quick fun break — what’s the most hilariousdrunk goth story you’ve ever been part of ?

Oh jeez , I tell myself I need to tame it but most goth nights I get tipsy as F lol I’d like to think I’m a good time but probably a Hot Mess, I can be very shady but it’s all in good fun lol I don’t think I have one story in mind that I could soberly remember but I’ve waken up to a ton of busted heels and platforms so I’ll take it that I’m very clumsy when drunk, and black lipstick and eye make up all over my face the morning after so that means I must’ve went real hard on the drinking.

9. Giovanna, in addition to your live DJ sets, you also post mixes on Mixcloud. Is the creative process very different for you between those two formats? Is the goal the same, or not really?

Live sets at goth nights, it’s not so much it being all about me, it’s about feeling the dance floor and venue would enjoy, and being more cautious in making every thing danceable or what the crowd can vibe with, at the same time being a dj personality, show casing kickass goth music and the crowd feels the music is me and it’s the vibe that I bring. Nothings worse than playing something and there’s just no connection between who’s dj’ing and what’s playing. Recorded sets for Mixcloud and Other streaming options like YouTube, you have more freedom of creativity and picking more obscure, more underground bands to show case, I like doing all Goth Rock and all DeathRock sets for those who enjoy checking out complete sets of the genres.

10. When you listen to music, do you always approach it as a DJ nowadays — always searching for the next gem to include in your sets — or are you still able to listen just for the pleasureof it?

I do, as a dj the first thought that comes to mind is if that track can translate well on the dance floor, or something fun to hear when it’s more of chill bar environment. There’s a lot of “research”, constantly listening to music every chance I get from first track to last, findings gems. Adding and editing gems to playlists and thinking which track complements and goes well after eachother. I love the music so it’s always a pleasure listening to music.

11. Besides being a DJ, are you (or have you ever been) involved in the post-punk/goth scene in any other way — like writing zines, organizing shows, playing in bands, etc.?

I would love to be in a band, I suck at guitar and bass but I definitely need to get back on that wagon and try .

I do like to focus on live music acts and having bands come out. Most goth bands are diy so they book and manage tours on their own and when they want to play in El Paso , I get contacted wither it be the bands are friends or mutual friends or we follow eachother on social media and they know of me being in El Paso, so I do enjoy helping curate their shows by helping with what direction to take , with which venue and venue booker that would be a best fit and would help pull the goth crowd and audience for the best possible option, weeding out venues who are more one genre like metal or venues that are so mixed with other kinds of events that the crowd wouldn’t necessarily have the target audience. And with helping promote and advertise and if they’d like me to join in on the event and dj around their sets, I’d love to.

12. How would you describe yourself as a person? What are your other passions in life? How does your love for the post-punk/goth scene interact with your everyday life?

Well behind the intimidating “ resting bitch face” I would say I’m normally shy, but friendly and welcoming. Because I’m part of the scene that helps keep it moving with events and such , one has to be very social and welcoming in getting people in the scene to feel welcomed and feel they are important members of the community and that they know they’re going to go for a good time. Goth Nights/ Shows should be a safe space for goths . But outside of that, I’m a hermit , I don’t really like being out and about doing everyday life stuff lol

13. Beware my wrath — you must answer the question of destiny 😈 What are your favorite dishes and drinks? Got a special recipe to share with us?

That is super tough cause I don’t cook much, i’m not a big foodie. I’m constantly meal prepping chicken, steamed vegetables and rice , pretty boring lol I do come from a Mexican background so when I do feel like making something it would be like quesadillas, chicken fajitas, tacos and for breakfast huevos rancheros. As for drinks I use to be big on rum and cokes or vodka redbulls but I’ve been trying to moderate with something lighter like Michelob ultras or seltzers.

14. What would be the concert of your dreams? Unleash yourimagination ^^

Oh jeez , I see events on social media like Wave Gothik Treffen and Return To The Bat Cave , and I’m in awe with the festival line ups they put together. I would love a huge Goth/DeathRock and Darkwave type of festival and just spend the day seeing great bands . I’ve never had the opportunity but if we’re possible even for one moment in present day reality, I would love to see Rozz Williams, performing both Christian Death and Shadow Project, that would definitely be the main headliner. There are a ton of legendary bands on my bucket list most of which are from Europe I would love to see like Corpus Delicti and Nosferatu, there are a ton of bands out there I’m dying to see.

15. Dear Giovanna, it was a pleasure putting these questions together and reading your answers. Thank you so much for accepting this interview. All the best to you 😊

Thank you so much for reaching out, it’s been an absolute pleasure being a part of this. ☺️

🦇☠️🖤☠️🦇