Indie folk-pop duo Freedom Fry have teamed up with actress Vinessa Shaw, who starred as Allison in the 1993 classic Hocus Pocus, for a very special reimagining of “Come Little Children,” the haunting song featured in the original film. More than 30 years later, the collaboration brings one of Halloween’s most beloved cult classics back to life.
The track is featured on the new EP Haunts, out tomorrow (10/9), a collection of five acoustic Halloween reimaginings. Stripped-down, eerie and cinematic, the EP trades novelty-Halloween camp for something darker, intimate and timeless.
Watch / Share: “Come Little Children”
Freedom Fry says: “Halloween is our favorite holiday, and the mood of the music and subject matter of the lyrics are way more exciting to us than typical pop songs. We started thinking about songs from some of our favorite horror and horror-comedy films like ‘Scream,’ ‘Halloween,’ and of course ‘Come Little Children’ from ‘Hocus Pocus.’ It felt good to keep everything acoustic and whispery, and really lean into the spookiness.
Vinessa has an awesome voice with a huge range, and we love what she brought to the song. We hope these become songs that people want to put on when they’re looking for that Halloween mood but want something a little different and fresh.”
Vinessa Shaw expands: “I was a fan of Freedom Fry’s music before I ever met them in person. While they were working on their ‘Haunts’ project, they found out that I was creating my own music and contacted me to see if I wanted to collaborate. When they gave me the rough cut of the song, I freaked out. It sounded perfectly eerie, but in a classy, Mamas and the Papas kind of way. Coming from a barbershop quartet background, I had all these ideas about adding more harmonies to make it even eerier, and I even thought I’d risk doing a spoken-word part.
I’m so happy we found each other and had the opportunity to create this unique take on a Halloween classic. And I love that this song happens to come from everyone’s favorite Halloween movie, one that shaped so many people’s childhoods, including my own.”
In celebration of the special track, Vinessa Shaw and Freedom Fry will release a limited edition 7” vinyl that features “Come Little Children” on Side A, with an exclusive a cappella version on Side B. The vinyl is available in three different editions, including signed versions, and can be pre-ordered here.
Last month, Freedom Fry released their take on the Michael Jackson classic “Thriller,” blending acoustic guitar and intimate vocals for a moody, haunting atmosphere with just enough grit to keep the original’s energy alive.
Haunts EP Tracklist:
1. Come Little Children (ft. Vinessa Shaw)
2. Red Right Hand
3. Thriller
4. Halloween Theme
5. Zombie Love (Acoustic)
Follow Freedom Fry:
Website | Instagram | X | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Follow Vinessa Shaw:
Instagram
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