My personal blog as a 'grown-up' Goth and Romantic living in the Highlands of Scotland. I write about the places I go, the things I see and my thoughts on life as a Goth and the subculture, and things in the broader realm of the Gothic and darkly Romantic. Sometimes I write about music I like and sometimes I review things. This blog often includes architectural photography, graveyards and other images from the darker side of life.

Goth is not just about imitating each other, it is a creative movement and subculture that grew out of post-punk and is based on seeing beauty in the dark places of the world, the expression of that in Goth rock. It looks back to the various ways throughout history in which people have confronted and explored the macabre, the dark and the taboo, and as such I'm going to post about more than the just the standards of the subculture (Siouxsie, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, et al) and look at things by people who might not consider themselves anything to do with the subculture, but have eyes for the dark places. The Gothic should not be limited by what is already within it; inspiration comes from all places, the key is to look with open eyes, listen carefully and think with an open mind..

Saturday, 2 February 2013

Prize Draw: Entry now CLOSED

Entry CLOSED at Midnight last night. 

Good luck to all those who entered.
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous4 February 2013 at 11:50

    Hello,
    I am Juliana Matiushenok. I am working in a small publishing house forSmart in Lithuania. Currently we are writing a book with a purpose to emphasize successful battle against depression and other psychological problems (phobias, panic attacks etc.). So we are looking for actual and interesting information about them such as commentaries from specialists and stories of ordinary people. Later their texts with their names will be published in a book.
    Currently we want to write something about so called depressing subcultures (gothic, emo and others). They say that these subcultures cause depression and are even dangerous. Is it really true? We need people who could comment (confirm or deny) this myth. We would be very grateful if could help us.

    Here are some questions that may help you to comment.
    1) Are goths really depressing subculture? Why?
    2) Why do you think such myths are being created?
    3) What is the philosophy (viewpoints, values etc.) of gothic subculture?

    Some questions about You:
    1) Why did you become a goth?
    2) What is most important to You in the gothic subculture?
    3) How do others react to the fact that You are goth?
    4) What are your hobbies and interests?
    5) How old are you and where are you from?

    Thank You for Your time and consideration.

    With kind regards,
    Juliana Matiushenok

    P. S. I’m sorry for my mistakes, because English is not my mother language and I am still learning it…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The HouseCat4 February 2013 at 12:32

      I think that being involved Goth really helped me get over my depression!

      Part A
      1) No, Goth is not a particularly depressing subculture, well, at least not for those in it! I guess perhaps to outsiders with different tastes, they might find what we enjoy depressing, but we don't! A lot of Goth is about exploring the dark side of life, and seeing beauty in it, and creating something beautiful from it - for example a lot songs from the Goth genre have quite dark subject matter including things like madness, despair, death and transience. Goths have all sorts of personalities - I'm inherently cheery, and see the dark stuff with an excited morbid curiosity. I think a lot of Goths find the creative approach to dark subject matter cathartic, or perhaps as a way to shine a light on things that previously troubled them. Perhaps for some who are already in a dark place, they miss the transformative, creative aspect and instead wallow in the dark, but I don't think it can make someone who is chirpy depressed. A lot of Goths start off as teenagers who are alienated and bullied by their peers for being different, artistic, bookish, geeky, etc. etc. and Goth provides a community and some support for them, and can be really helpful to improving their lives.

      2) I think people see all this black we wear and hear the dark and gloomy lyrics to the music we listen to, and observe our morbid fascinations, and think that this must have a depressing effect on us, perhaps because to outsiders they might find it depressing. They don't realise, or perhaps can't believe, that to us, these things are enjoyable, fun, entertaining, interesting etc. Being Goth makes us happy! That's why we 'do' it!
      3) There's no over-arching philosophy - it is more an aesthetic and musical genre than a counter-culture with certain values, politics or philosophies. The only thing that links the various facets of the Goth subculture is appreciation for things dark and a bit morbid or spooky.

      Delete
    2. The HouseCat4 February 2013 at 12:33

      Part B:
      1) I didn't decide to become Goth, it wasn't a specific choice. The best thing I can do here is refer you to some of my other articles where I've written in detail about how I ended up a Goth. It was more a recognition that the label 'Goth' fitted my aesthetic, musical, and literary preferences, and perhaps facets of my mindset, than a deliberate 'becoming'. I think those who try to hard to become Goth will ultimately fail because if you have to force it, then it isn't who you really are.
      2) The community - I love how it has provided me with a way to meet other people who share my quirkier, more eccentric and macabre interests. A lot of mainstream people can be quite judgemental about unusual interests, whereas a lot of Goths either share them, or at least have a curious and interested appreciation even if they don't share them themselves. I've met lots of really interesting people, and gained some amazing friends through the Goth community.
      3) Quite varied! I get everything from excited younger Goths coming up to me to tell me how happy they are that they aren't the only ones in the area, to old ladies complimenting me on my Victorian-inspired style, to people insulting me in the streets and throwing things at me.
      4) Sports: roller derby, fencing, archery, chinese martial arts, horse riding (although I haven't donethat in a while due to lack of funds), hiking, scrambling, watching the sled dog races. I used to play hockey and ultimate frisbee, too. I go jogging, but I don't run as a sport, but as a supplement to the other sports I do.
      Crafts: sewing, embroidery, drawing, painting, wig-making, calligraphy, paper-craft
      Other: poi-dancing, industrial dancing, recorder (fipple flute) playing, Chinese flutes, guitar, 'cello, piano, survival & bushcraft skills, collecting ceramics and glassware,
      Reading (I'll read most things, but I like Romantic era poetry (Keats, Wordsworth, Byron, etc.) and science fiction and fantasy, and Gothic/supernatural horror (I don't like horror/thrillers based around psychopaths and serial killers - too scary for me!), but I also read a lot of books on art history, European and Japanese history,
      Religious/Spiritual Interests:
      I'm into paranormal investigation and believe in spirits, I'm a practising Witch, I am a Pantheist, with an interest in Taoist philosophy, and I used to meditate quite regularly.
      5) My age is a secret, but I'm older than 21 and younger than 30... and I'm older than I'd like to be! Old enough to be in proper employment, live with my partner and have an apartment and generally be a 'grown up'! I am half English and half French and have lived in an awful lot of places, because I used to move every year or two.

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  2. Laura Morrigan6 February 2013 at 05:32

    I nominated you for a Gargie Award http://rosesandvellum.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/gargie-award-and-very-inspiring-blogger.html

    ReplyDelete

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