Tag: goth subculture

Culture, History, Lifestyle, Literature

9 Books on the Goth Subculture

by Jennifer VasquezLeave a Comment on 9 Books on the Goth Subculture
Photo credit: Sierra Koder via Unsplash
Photo credit: Sierra Koder via Unsplash

Much has been written about the goth subculture, ranging from scholarly literature to pop culture reads. I must admit that I have not read many books on goth. When I first started getting into goth as a teen in the late 90s/early 2000s, I got most of my information from the internet and personal experiences and observations. At the time, there weren’t many books published about the subculture, so I learned about it by browsing the web via goth chat rooms and websites that were around then. 

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Culture, Film, Lifestyle

How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' (© Warner Bros.)
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (© Warner Bros.)

When Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 1988, the goth subculture was still in its youth, having only been around since the late 70s/early 80s. The scene was evolving and growing both in music and fashion, so for a figure like Lydia Deetz to pop up on the big screen, many black hearts in the audience must have stopped. How many teenage goths can you recall appearing in 80s films? While there may have been a few, none have left as lasting an impression as Winona Ryder’s macabre character. With the release of the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at a few of the influences Lydia Deetz has had on the goth community.

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Culture, music

Content Creator KB Explores Goth Music in Latin America

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on Content Creator KB Explores Goth Music in Latin America

Since its experimental beginnings in the UK in the early 1980s, the goth subculture has sprouted and spread across the globe. Goth music can be heard and enjoyed in all sorts of languages, from German to Spanish. In fact, there’s been a thriving goth scene throughout Latin America for some time and content creator KB is spreading awareness about it with their YouTube channel, Goth Music Latin America.

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History, music

The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth Book Review

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth Book Review
John Robb (Photo credit: John Middleham)

“Nothing exists independently; goth was a kind of fever. It just seemed to seep in on a tide of black lace and black leather.”

–Nina Antonia quoted in The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

Various books have been written attempting to unravel the mystery of the goth subculture and trace its roots. A new text has recently been added to the canon, The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth by John Robb who’s the frontman of the post-punk band The Membranes and head of the online media publication Louder Than War. His behemoth of a book takes a deep plunge into the musical origins of goth, and it’s quite an adventure.

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Fashion, Lifestyle

Spotlight on Eclipsed Emporium: A Goth Fashion Boutique in Long Beach

by Jennifer Vasquez8 Comments on Spotlight on Eclipsed Emporium: A Goth Fashion Boutique in Long Beach
Inside Eclipsed Emporium (Model: Angelina Sambrotto/ Photo credit: Anabel D'Flux)
Inside Eclipsed Emporium (Model: Angelina Sambrotto/ Photo credit: Anabel D’Flux)

As a goth resident of Long Beach, California, I was thrilled when I heard about the new boutique that opened up for the darkly inclined fashionista, Eclipsed Emporium. It’s nestled in the borough of Bixby Knolls and, when it comes to this part of town, is the only one of its kind and a veritable jewel. Outside of Los Angeles, the only other goth apparel and accessory shop I knew of was Ipso Facto in Orange County. Now there’s a spot in my neck of the woods, and I’m here to share it with you.

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Art, Events, Nightlife

Goth Night at Mirus Gallery

by Jennifer Vasquez8 Comments on Goth Night at Mirus Gallery
Vamp Jenn at Goth Night
Vamp Jenn at Goth Night

Mirus Gallery in Los Angeles, in collaboration with dark artist Shane Izykowski, has a new recurring event they’ll be hosting for the darkly inclined—Goth Night. It debuted in May, and I had the opportunity to experience the July edition, which included macabre art, live entertainment, spooky vendors and, of course, DJs spinning goth music. Here’s your look inside the festivities.

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music

Spotlight on Edward Transylvania: Dark Singer, Songwriter & Poet

by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments on Spotlight on Edward Transylvania: Dark Singer, Songwriter & Poet
Singer, songwriter and poet Edward Transylvania
Photo courtesy of Edward Transylvania

Into the depths of the psyche we go, with artist Edward Transylvania as our guide. The Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and poet has been crafting macabre magic through his lyrics for more than a decade and is continuing to carve out his own place within, not only the goth genre, but also the world of dark music. Listeners can expect passionate vocals and sinister beats.

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Lifestyle, music

Experiencing the Goth Subculture Through the Music

by Jennifer Vasquez30 Comments on Experiencing the Goth Subculture Through the Music
Gothik: Special Anniversary Edition CD compilation
Gothik: Special Anniversary Edition CD compilation

When I started getting into the goth scene, I went on a mission to navigate my way through the numerous bands that existed. Since it is a music-based subculture, I wanted to have at least a general knowledge of what had been and was continuing to be produced. One of the beautiful facets of goth is its rich musical heritage. There’s an abundance of beats and sounds that have been created within the genre, and others that have sprouted from it, such as darkwave, ethereal, deathrock and coldwave. For World Goth Day, I’m going to share what I listened to and some of the core groups that were my gateway to the music.

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Dining & Drink, Lifestyle

Spotlight on Adrienne LaVey: Absinthe & Gothic Arts Connoisseur

by Jennifer Vasquez17 Comments on Spotlight on Adrienne LaVey: Absinthe & Gothic Arts Connoisseur
Adrienne LaVey of Ligeia Resurrected

Bridging the realms of goth subculture and the gothic aesthetic, Adrienne LaVey is an individual who revels in the beauty of darkness. Her YouTube channel, Ligeia Resurrected, features insightful reviews on topics that run the gamut from 19th-century macabre literature to the latest goth music releases. Of the content she produces, her absinthe videos truly set her apart and are a unique offering. Since March 5th is National Absinthe Day, I felt it fitting to interview someone who seeks to unravel the mysteries that surround this widely misunderstood spirit.

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Lifestyle

The Dark Pariahs of Society: A Baby Bat’s Ruminations on Goth

by Jennifer Vasquez10 Comments on The Dark Pariahs of Society: A Baby Bat’s Ruminations on Goth
Left image: me at the age of 16 circa 2002; Right image: me at Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Halloween 2019 event

To commemorate World Goth Day this year on May 22nd, I’ve decided to take a nostalgic look back at a high school paper I wrote on the subculture in 2002. I was 16 years old and in 11th grade. The assignment was for an English class and I was to write an expository essay. I was a young goth who was still learning about the scene and eager to share the knowledge I had gained. This project was my opportunity to not only reveal to readers the dark beauty of this alternative community, but also proudly proclaim my connection with it.

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