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Detroit Goth Is Alive and Well. My Weekend At the Skull Fest

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This past weekend I traveled back to my roots. To a goth industrial festival in downtown Detroit. My first in many years. I grew up going to the legendary City Club, travel regularly to see bands at Smalls. I still have a nostalgic tie to East Michigan. I learned about the Skull Fest late, yet quickly was got excited at the idea of an ambitious goth industrial festival in Detroit. I quickly reached out to offer support anyway I could. I was welcomed with open arms both as a pretend music journalist and getting to play with my band Amaranth. Those of you that follow our blog and podcast know that I have a dreamer’s optimism about our scene. In B.P. LeGault I felt the kinship of a mutual dreamer dedicated to bringing together our community while creating an inclusive environment. Four days, major acts, vendors for art, fashion shows, giving a chance to goth adjacent new sounds sometimes over at festivals. He also did something I feel is important to a festival’s success, he included and promoted local talent. Detroit artists were a prominent part of the stacked lineup. I was also impressed by outside the box thinking. Day four, Sunday was an all-ages show. Taking a chance to help encourage both young fans, and parents who love the scene but have a hard time attending a music festival which often start around 9pm and go until 2-3am. This allowed them to take part and share an experience they love with their kids. This also was wonderful for goths who don’t drink and feel uncomfortable. I got the chance to attend on Friday and Sat, then play on Sunday with our amazing photographer Whitney Flaherty. So please follow along for the highlights of a truly uplifting experience for the goth scene.

So I didn’t get to attend Thursday, but I wanted to share what was there 🙂

Thursday 11-17-22 Opening Ceremony
6pm-Midnight 18+

-Noir Leather Stage-
CYANOTIC, Chicago
Second Salem, Detroit
Eprom Colony, Detroit
Triangulations, Tri Cities
Access to Concrete, Ypsilanti
EnD, Ypsilanti
Opening Ceremony
House Deejay: Remnant, Defiled, Ypsilanti

-Russell Industrial Stage-
Darks Choir, Ination, Toledo
Havok, Ination, Toledo
Audioflesh, Ination, Toledo
Misanthropia Narcissus, Detroit
Gates Of Janus, Novi

Friday 11-18-22 *Fetish Night
6pm-Midnight 18+

-Noir Leather Stage-
HIDE, Chicago
Noelle Solringen, Detroit
Crune, Detroit
Noir Leather Fashion Show
B.P. LeGault, Detroit
Vazum, Detroit
House Deejay: Raedy Lex

-Russell Industrial Stage-
EXT EST, Detroit
Justin Carver, Something Cold, Hamtramck
Marc Church, Detroit
Engine, Detroit
Udenjoe, Detroit

Walking in the door I was greeted by the liquid translucent shadowgaze sounds of our friends Vazum local to Detroit. Zach and Emily bring an organic and emotional DIY style that always stands out. It feels like the prevailing wind in goth is to emulate the 80s synth or early Batcave sound. Vazum shows their influence more in slushy guitar-based shoegaze with dark themes and balanced communicative vocals. They have a new EP out called “The Precious Ones” with a punk rock tempo and thundering drumbeats. Vazum is a staple of the new Detroit goth scene. The live show feels so thunderous and organic. If you are 3 feet away from the stage or 100 feet, a Vazum show always feels intimate.

▶︎ The Precious Ones | VAZUM (bandcamp.com)

BP. LeGault who made this all possible did the next set. I was enjoying bopping around the dance floor when 50 absurdly hot people walked past in a large block. I remember thinking to myself something must be happening because that was too much attractiveness in one place. It of course marked the beginning of the visual extravaganza of Noir Leathers Fashion Show. If you grew up in the Detroit suburbs like me the Royal Oak store was a big part of your counterculture life. It was the main place to get alternative clothes and learn what was happening in the scene. This was an impressive spectacle, but also called attention that unlike other festivals I have attended the people of Detroit on average were all rocking a full-blown look. A commitment to the aesthetic I just don’t see all the time.

☠️ Noir Leather ☠️

Crune – Next up was Detroit’s own CRUNE. I knew nothing about this band going in other than an introduction from amazing Dj Noelle Solringen. Without previous knowledge coming into this performance, I was absolutely floored. This band was my favorite surprise of the weekend. I couldn’t stop talking about it to anyone who would listen. “Sassy Yee Haw Goth with a Theremin” was something I had no idea I needed. I did. A searing energy captivating performance with engaging lyrics and a vocal delivery that made the hairs on my arms stand up. Do you know when you see “IT” even if you can’t put your finger on what that is? You know when you see it. Picture being a music reviewer that listens to 200 bands a month, then you feel “IT” happen. That was CRUNE for me. As gods are my witness I have made it my mission to make the scene aware how blistering talented this project is.

Necromantik | Crune (bandcamp.com)

HIDE – After a Dj set from Noelle Solringen Chicago based electronica band HIDE took the stage. I have heard the legend of the intensity from their stage show. I have listened and loved their albums. Nothing I heard prepared me for the jagged glass introspective emotion which fell on me like a firestorm. If you have never seen HIDE play live, I don’t know how to describe the experience to you. I know others tried to describe it to me, and now I understand what an impossible task was being ask. It is not a simple thing to witness. It is the full intensity of overpowering conflicting emotions dragging you back and forth at maximum velocity while you question every truth you have been fed. Does that sound over the top? Well trust me, unless you have seen it and you know, you don’t know.

Interior Terror | HIDE (bandcamp.com)

Saturday 11-19-22 Night Of Sin
6pm-Midnight 18+

-Noir Leather Stage-
COMFORT CURE, Detroit
Textbeak, Cleopatra Records, Cleveland/Detroit
Spike Hellis, Los Angeles
Veganinblack, Chicago
SOROS, Grand Rapids/Detroit
Wraith & Remnant, Defiled, Ypsilanti
Schedule IV, Detroit
House Deejay: Niko Fierro

-Russell Industrial Stage-
Absynthe Of Faith, Minneapolis
Satanic Hispanic, Blvsphemy Records, Chicago
Plvgues, Blvsphemy Records, Chicago
Sain’t, Blvsphemy Records, Chicago
Doc Colony, Detroit

So Saturday I knew my way around the festival site and was excited to take everything in. I knew I had to play on Sunday so I took at easy on the Maker’s Mark to be fresh for our performance. Saturday’s line up featured mostly bands I had not seen live yet. Once again, the surroundings were inclusive, friendly, and focused on highlighting new exciting dark music. I loved the shadow market of vendors featuring everything from bondage gear, art pieces, and magic. Noir Leather once again had a shop set up. A wonderful space set up to plunge in and out of performance engagement and leisurely stroll through darkscene art.

Schedule IV – Starting off with one of the most underrated talents in the Detroit scene. Powerful emotive lyrics and delivery by Steph Strange and precision post punk music that flows with the energy generation of a V8 engine. This was a new lineup from the last time I saw them play. When post punk music is done with this level of fine-tuned twists and turns it takes the listener on a journey. Schedule IV always brings that ferocious driving energy and it really set the tone for night 3 of the festival.

In Treatment | Schedule IV (bandcamp.com)

DJ VeganInBlack from Chicago spun a set a lovely set with a balance of old and new. I always am inspired by their conviction to music and their ideals that comes across in how they share bands.

(13) DJVeganinblack – Twitch

This festival featured two stages, one primary where full bands played. Then another for Djs and individual electronica artists. The set up again reminded me of old school raves. On Saturday this second stage was dominated by Blvsphemy Records from Chicago. Primarily known as a Chicago VVitchaus label with the added twist both sonically and aesthetically of Black Metal. As someone new to the Witch house scene it was amazing to see a “Goth/Industrial” festival embrace this subgenre and give it a place to bring in new fans. Seeing people catch word of the crackling energy and ritualistic thrum, packing the room with wide eyes and flailing limbs showed me that this is a part of the future of our scene.

Satanic Hispanic – Furious slow grinding back beats of house and triphop, with terrifying expulsion of anti religious emotional outbursts. The imagery and sonic assault projected a punk DIY ideal into a chaos magic lens. This set made me a believer in how this music fits into the future of the scene.

Disobey | Satanic Hispanic | Blvsphemy Records (bandcamp.com)

Plvgues – The final set from Blvsphemy was the Plvgues, which took the concept of everything the label had exposed me to, then turned it to 11. The massive presence of this hooded giant had an undeniable magnetism. His voice flowed beneath the sliding evasive beats to surface with shattered glass fury when you least expected it. Keep a close eye on this artist. They have star power.

Volos | Plvgues | Blvsphemy Records (bandcamp.com)

Spike Hellis – Next up on the main stage is a LA based electronic explosion Spike Hellis. I have seen them before at Cold Waves, but never before in this intimate underground setting. In 2022 Atari Teenage Riot got involved in some NFT Crypto madness that tainted my image of furious electronic anarchy. Spike Hellis brought that sonic image back with crystal static anger and EMP pulse which writhed out in shockwaves to assault the adoring crowd. I enjoyed their performance at Cold Waves. I was memorized here. Impressive emotional transfer from stage to crowd. The aggression and intensity doing something this inclusive is a bizarre combination of feeling but the most accurate description.

Spike Hellis | Spike Hellis (bandcamp.com)

Spike Hellis | Spike Hellis (bandcamp.com)

TEXTBEAK – Another Detroit band. More festivals need to take note, if you are holding a festival in a city, then show love to the bands that are a part of that scene. I can’t remember a time I saw this ideal held up more than at the Skull Festival. Michael Szewczyk is such a warm overlapping part of the whole Detroit scene who’s talent and glowing spirit are never more on display that in his primary project Textbeak. As someone who grew up on Detroit electronica Michael seems to have the core concept written on his DNA. Every track has a brilliant and unique composure yet somehow resonates with that distinctive house sound that transports me to a warehouse on Hastings Street. Michael is also a part of the previously mentioned Crune and continues to impress with their talent and vision.

Sick for Songs a Season Eats Remixes | TEXTBEAK (bandcamp.com)

COMFORT CURE – Closing out the night was another Detroit talent. I am always left impressed lately by solo electronica artists who manage to unleash the energy necessary to captivate a crowd alone. Percussive EDM with a lashing distinctly Detroit beat and poetic vocal delivery that reminded me of Underworld. I didn’t know nearly enough about Comfort Cure going into the weekend. They left an impressive mark on me. As an added bonus while watching the set I noticed Detroit Electronic music royalty ADULT was standing in front of me enjoying the set. I love seeing artists I associate with a city coming out to support.

They Told You Wrong (Single) | COMFORT CURE (bandcamp.com)

Images by Whitney Flaherty

Sunday 11-20-22 *ALL*AGES*MATINEE*
Noon-6pm

-Noir Leather Stage-
WINGTIPS, Chicago
Justin Carver, Something Cold, Hamtramck
Amaranth, Kalamazoo
Faux Fear, Reading, PA
The Picasso’s, Detroit
House Deejay Raedy Lex

-Russell Industrial Stage-
Remnant, Defiled, Ypsilanti
Wraith, Defiled, Ypsilanti
Darks Choir, Ination, Toledo
Havok, Ination, Toledo
Audioflesh, Ination, Toledo

This Sunday matinee was special to me for many reasons. I got to play on the stage, I had just watched so many amazing bands. We got to open for one of my favorite bands in the modern darkscene Wingtips. I also appreciated the vision and concept of B.P. doing an all-ages daytime event as part of the festival. Too often it feels like goth culture is not focused on the next generation. It is a scene that tends to worship and embrace the past. Also A lot of folks my age do not get to attend goth festivals anymore because they have children. Who can get a sitter from 10pm-3am two or three days in a row? Having an event focused on family inclusion as part of a major festival spoke a lot about how this event felt different in thinking outside the box.

Exhumed | thePicassos (bandcamp.com)

First act i saw Sunday was Detroit’s own The Picassos. A glorious darkternative band I recently discovered who seamlessly blend The Pixies, Nick Cave, and Violent Femms. I had the pleasure of doing an interview which I will post below. When I spoke to Charles and company they told me of their connection through theater. I loved seeing this translate into their stage show. A funeral set where all the listeners could take part in the production. The sound was everything I want in a live show of a band I know and love the recordings of. Everything I loved in the song writing and emotional connection was here, with an added layer of projection and emotion. Charles voice is unique and captivating. I found myself lost in the performance. This is a must-see live band if you ever get the opportunity.

Sounds and Shadows Interview with The Picassos

FAUX FEAR – Next up was a post punk dark wave duo from Reading PA. I had the pleasure of speaking to them in the green room and instantly felt a kinship with their devotion to DIY inclusive grass roots promotion of the dark scene. The music was sleek and sophisticated with driving baselines and cascading synths. The vocals had a resonating Terri Nunn vibe with more understated delicacy. They did a fantastic Cure cover. This is a band I will be looking to connect with for a show exchange soon. My only regret is I had to spend part of the set behind stage getting ready to play.

Image by Whitney Flaherty

Image by Whitney Flaherty

Gothtimist | The Amaranth (bandcamp.com)

We got to take the stage next. It was a great honor to play with so many talented people who I love. I grew up on this side of the state and being a part of the energy here was a transcendent feeling. The sound staff were all wonderful. We played songs about Ninjas, Assplay, Feminism, and Onlyfans. In my mind it was one of the best sets we ever played in modern Amaranth. After I helped get our gear off, I was walking with Collin. A young lady locked eyes and started walking towards me. I assumed I was in her way and tried to speed up and change direction. I turned back to Collin and she tapped me on the shoulder asking if she could take a picture with us. I get a bit of that from Sounds and Shadows at music festivals. This was for Amaranth, this was different, this was a young person who really enjoyed what we played enough to chase me crossed a warehouse. I forgot how special that can feel.

Image by Whitney Flaherty

Cutting Room Floor | WINGTIPS (bandcamp.com)

WINGTIPS – When I spoke to Hannah and Vincent after the show I told them something I aspire towards. I have seen them about 7 times live now, and every time I see them is the best time. The darkest side of retro melodrama and beauty blended with furious emotional outburst and shocking realism. The amount of star power dripping from this duo is something you feel in your bones. They closed with “Last Minute” which was my first introduction to them. The song that was my first love. The perfect close to a wonderful event of memories.

Images by Whitney Flaherty

Overall I

Now a brief interview with B.P who made his dream a reality.

Ken: What made you first fall in love with this music and scene?

B.P: My passion for dark music is deep rooted. I started attending goth nights in Detroit back in the 90’s. The scene just felt like home. Goth nightlife, music, fashion, and subculture has been a part of my identity since those early days. As well as writing and recording dark-wave and industrial music. Throughput the years Detroit deejays and bands have kept the music alive in the underground. And I love that.

Ken: I really felt a sense of kindred spirit in you. You are a Dreamer like me. Tell me what you wanted to accomplish with this festival? What was your vision ?

B.P. : Thank you, Ken. After getting to talk with you a at the festival I felt that too. I remember telling someone, Ken is a great guy, he is sincere, passionate, and sees the big picture. The goal of SKULL was to bring together as much of the regional talent possible to provide an opportunity for Detroit’s goth music scene to build a stronger community and more support for the musicians and deejays as well as the artists, vendors, and lovers of all things goth. I truly hope everyone met someone great that they didn’t know before. Or made friends with an acquaintance. Because we have so many wonderful people in our scene.

Ken: Tell me about some of the people who helped you pull off this ambitious undertaking?

B.P. : Remnant aka Casey Discursion of Defiled was the first person I had a conversation with about bringing together the older and younger music fans of goth and industrial in Detroit. There is a great divide in ages and genres and he understood how all of the sounds could compliment each other and that creating a stronger community was possible. There are a couple silent partners behind SKULL that believe in the mission. The SKULL managers Xaina, Marie, Stacey, and Jai Jay all did an amazing job in their leadership roles. There were also several friends of mine and deejays that helped physically put the event together and promote it for months. I am grateful for all of their efforts.

Ken: Why was it so important to include an all-ages day for the festival? Why should more festivals do this?

B.P. : There are a lot of young goths out there. One, they deserve to have a place to experience the subculture, and two, they are the future of our community.

Ken: 5) What is your hope for the future of Skull Festival as well as the Detroit scene?

B.P.: We have several meetings coming up with the main people involved in SKULL and I know there are a lot of creative ideas floating around on what to do next. All things will be taken into consideration and once we decide on our next goth adventure we will make an announcement. Stay tuned 🖤💀 Ken, thank you for your time and your efforts in the world of dark music.

Who are some of the Non Binary artists in the modern Darkscene?

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The modern Darkscene has always been a place to push the boundaries of standard definitions of gender and self concept. Exploration of what society has subscribed is called into question through self discovery. Much like the umbrella that is goth and the genres within the artists who create the music form a broad and complex spectrum. I don’t want to dive deeply or speak for those that make up this rich tapestry. Instead I will focus on shining a light on some of the great non binary artists I have discovered.

Mystic Priestess – Oakland California dark punk band brings a cobweb lace batcave chaos full of elder goth tones and floor shaking intensity. The percussion is a non stop primal assault. The effective use of time change and intensity make each song dynamic and captivating. The instrumentation used shows a range and craft to the rough and passionate style. Eternal Resurrection features a muted saxophone that perfectly contrasts and shows a depth beyond standard 4/4 punk. The vocals carry a chanting energy teeming with life and prowling danger. A creature from a buzzing bog moving with jerking purpose ready to strike out at anyone who makes eye contact. I love that no matter how deep I dove into this album, I never found the floor. There was always another layer.

https://mysticpriestess.bandcamp.com/

Favorite Track: Christian Lies – This opening tom fill makes my heart beat fast. It’s one of those recorded tracks you can’t help but picture live. The energy is infectious and the breakdown at 1:40 just collapses the floor and leaves you in a free fall ready for the trap to spring. A politically charged flame thrower that holds the spirit of what punk was always suppose to mean. I want to hear this song as I charge up the hill to burn post world capitalism from the landscape.

Sister Sarin – I first became aware of this Baltimore artist when they played percussion for Steven Archer with his Stoneburner project. Hemlock has one of those terrifying and remarkable energies you can’t help but spot from across a room. The sound is immersive and textual. A carefully orchestrated journey that makes the abstract realm of emotion take on shape through tone and hook. I’ve always been fascinated with chimes. That place where percussion and melody meet. Hemlock has an amazing talent for creating a dance of these aspects that seem to always strike a cohesive picture in my mind. Right Where I Belong is one of the few tracks that feature vocals and they are gorgeous. A sort of David Gahan’s ghost calling from beyond the veil. This EP is my soundtrack to a steamy ivory bathhouse lit with candles. It’s a challenge, it’s a comfort, it’s real.

Favorite track: Tripwire – Here those amazing chimes are on display. The percussion is complex and in the front. It’s a mystery of anticipation I’m drawn to because I want to be surprised.

https://sistersarin.bandcamp.com/album/whats-left-unsaid

Vortex Empath Xen, Moira Scar – Another Oakland California talent. A very experimental and raw sound with a minimalist efficiency. Sometimes with something this raw in production it might have a hard time capturing me, the more i listened the more it grew on me. It feels like being invited into an underground lair of where a secret society is preforming Kaos majick with thick smoke and hundreds of flickering candles. The guitars growl firing around the room like a demon summoned by Raw Power. This was never intended to be an easy hook driven listen. I feel the intention is to be unnerving. The vocals are delivered with power and unity like a flung spell taking shape from the void. I found myself constantly wondering if a cleaner production would clarify or ruin the vibrating hunger. This is an album you need to be in the right place for, however if you are in this place, it’s staggering and emotive.

https://moirascar.bandcamp.com/album/between-worlds-lp-bonus-tracks

Vinsantos – I first witnessed NOLA artist Vinsantos opening for Peter Murphy in a Chicago church and my heart stood still. It was as though they grabbed ahold of the center of their rib cage, tore themselves open, and 1000 ravens and doves flew out. The entire catalog is masterful in a way that makes the hairs on my arms stand up. This single in particular is a blend of the conceptual story telling of Robyn Hitchcock and the effortless emotion of Q Lazzarus. This song builds, it delivers, it places it’s hands on the side of your head and makes you stare into the windows of it’s soul. You need this, everyone needs this.

https://vinsantos.bandcamp.com/track/chimera

HIDE – If there is something more intense, powerful, and visceral in the modern scene than HIDE, I am hard pressed to say what it is. The Chicago based duo play slow meatgrinder machinery sounds that roll towards your body and you watch yourself chewed away by the awesome, unstoppable force of the lyrics and soul splitting delivery. There is nothing fun or happy go lucky about this phycological assault on the senses. This is true high art delivered with a morning star to the face instead of a paint brush. Sometimes when you hear an album, you are changed forever and terrified to keep listening. This is one of those records. You need to summon your courage, you need to listen, you need to be changed.

Favorite track: Daddy Issues – Holy shit, a brutal and unapologetic judgement on modern society and rape culture and Brock Turner. The fury and delivery of his fathers quote is staggering in it’s force. They hold a mirror up to society and then smash society over the fucking head with it.

https://hide3.bandcamp.com/

Synth Witch – An artist from Portland Oregon that does lovely slow creeping interstellar travel sounds. Gorgeous textured bleeps and bloops I want to fill my ears while constructing high risk plans in the dangerous far reaches of space. One of those artists that truly captures a visual wavelength without the use of lyrics to paint the picture. Set the controls for the heart of the sun and sail away.

Favorite Track: Dangerous – This immersive soundtrack for a space heist is effortlessly cool. Perfectly tailored leather jackets in dirty space.

https://thesynthwitch.bandcamp.com/album/synth-witch

Arden and the Wolves – Wonderful talent from Los Angeles that also does a podcast about magic and art(I linked it below) . They have a voice that absolutely drips with power. A look and sonic energy that resonates with every step. I found myself struck by the theatrical delivery and spiritual passion. It almost feels like the goth version of modern secular music delivered by a soloist in front of a choir . Shadowed by the mystical roots to make a contrast. This is a teaching sound, each time i listen I feel like I am unraveling a story.

https://ardenandthewolves.bandcamp.com/track/mary-did-you-know

Interview with Daniel Graves Aesthetic Perfection

DORIAN ELECTRA – Artist from LA doing a blood pumping spicy trip hop. I love the way they spray the sexuality around like a firehouse. The vocal timber has a really unique feel and the energy is pure darkpop adrenochrome pumped right in the vein. The album brims with guest artist which adds a lot of flavors and complexity. This has such glorious relatable pop sensibility but delivered with razor edge and soul.

Favorite Track: My Agenda (Feat: Village People and Pussy Riot) – This has such a slinky beat and a real fire in the vocal delivery while holding a smoldering flame of pop beauty.

Darkswoon – Portland artist with singer Jana Cushman who also has done soundtrack work for the film “My Summer As A Goth”. Smokey driving shoegaze flavor. I really love how the music has a wall of sound shoegaze feel but the vocals are very forward and ring clear like a bell. Andrew Michael really puts on a clinic with the movement of a fuzzy swelling bass tone.

Favorite Song: The Flesh – Huge 10,000 maniacs meets Kevin Shields vibes. This song is a twisting mechanical snake with Jane pouring visceral soul from their mouth. Chefs Kiss.

https://darkswoon.bandcamp.com/album/bind

Sawtooth – New England EDM artist Lillian Edith Martin that does a body shaking synth heavy dance drive. I love the labyrinth of staircases and moving paths. It’s glorious to hear dance music take on such a fantasy tone. It’s like listening to imagination. Some great collaboration with Juliet Brownell-Lee (Gorgeous vocals) and John Greene (Makes my arm hairs stand up). I have gotten lost in each of these tracks in different moments for different reasons.

Favorite Track: Crawling Towards the Light Feat: Juliet Brownell-Lee – Such a perfect homage to fantasy and nostalgia with modern dance flavor and perfect movement. This song is such a journey.

https://djsawtooth.bandcamp.com/album/cold-days-ahead?fbclid=IwAR0H33llKTEuxy5L8QuAePa_r6vaugHJCxMF43oFsd8uFiEPfS8CXxxmPD8

grabyourface – Marie does the most amazing sad industrial hybrid music. Tortured soul bearing poetry poured over a beat like blood down a fountain. Hearing the courage with which they reveal the most intimate aspects of their soul in every song fills me with strength every time I hear it.

Favorite Track: Shore – From the album Sea in 2020. When you think of a song as haunting and revealing. Every time I hear this is leaves me shook. The imagery, the self reflection, the tone.

https://grabyourfacengp.bandcamp.com/album/sea

Shadows Beloved – My dear friend Adrian Auchrome from Maine does such an amazing job of resurrecting old school traditional goth like Rossetta Stone and seasoning it with anguished vocal delivery. What really hits my heart every time is the guitar tone perfection that blisters to the front to take center stage. This album is so under appreciated in the discussion of the modern goth renaissance. Emotional abstracts and artisan crafting in perfect blend.

Favorite Track: All We Want – Adrian is at their best when letting their beautiful voice be itself and ring forth. This song captures that. The guitar solo is a powerful masterclass in modern traditional goth.

https://shadowsbeloved.bandcamp.com/releases

Sloar&Mordor – Wisconsin artists Matt Florence and Svea Tiberius Trzebiatowski bring their love of Science fiction and pop culture into this dungeon synth art house explosion of Easter eggs and shake that ass beats. I love the spoken word delivery and raindrop synth sounds.

https://sloarmordor.bandcamp.com/track/its-too-bad-she-wont-live-but-then-again-who-does

Kali Ra – Oakland California artist does amazing offbeat driving guitar slather that I want to be my entrance music when I walk into a party. It’s dark and has it’s own saunter. David Goad has a 30’s phonograph sex appeal on their voice. It’s breathy, beckoning, and full of temptation. The album “The Monarch” leaps around between tone and style ranging from 90s goth pop to 70s Glam rock. Their voice is the one thing that ties together all these colorful threads stretching out on a loom of sound.

Favorite Track: Gaslight – The spirit of Brian Eno has been summoned and infused with youth to entertain me in the modern age. I also love what a contrast this is to the other tracks.

https://kalira.bandcamp.com/album/the-monarch?fbclid=IwAR2wxt1hCLgmNLPnIs9xFCPUMdDzXWnnvcYZd0nuYHznc2028WXEzBhFoN8

Dea Decay – Florida Dj/Artist Dea does this lovely candy sweet synthpop full of magic and color. If I had to choose a word to describe their sound it would be vibrant. It features samples and head bopping energy.

Favorite Track : Catronica – Look I love the new She-Ra and in particular Katra. Feel good adorable energy and breakneck fun pacing. Yes please.

https://deadecay.bandcamp.com/track/longing

WINGTIPS – Chicago synthdriven apocalyptical dreampop which captured my heart a few years back and continue to impress. Gorgeous flowing imagery turned into sound and fired out of a smoke machine to create a shimmering wave of deeper dreaming. One of the truly exceptional performances to see live in the modern scene. One of those bands that continues to evolve in complexity with every passing year.

Favorite Track: Last Minute – They have had so many amazing songs since, but you never forget your first love. When I heard this track I was instantly transported to the post apocolyptic John Hughes prom and I never wanted to leave. It’s unforgettable beauty.

https://wingtips.bandcamp.com/

Since I have come this far 🙂 I also want to give a shoutout to three Djs very near and dear to my heart that help make this scene what it is 🙂 Pat Allen, Kate Mior, and Azy Bats. All of them are great ways to hear the best in new music and keep your finger on the pulse of the modern scene. Pat 626, Darkness Forever, and Obscura Undead.

https://www.twitch.tv/obscuraundead

https://www.twitch.tv/darknessforeverto?fbclid=IwAR1DoSc2nTMPQ8BvgNQl2uiwYUpECGgI6OoNduE6okkRei_m73WvzU76cRw

https://www.twitch.tv/djpat626?fbclid=IwAR0ozOND2F39s30h_Tp37HOTOS5eb5pXpJRRFeIw5dpr-GN_uc0F9GYL73Y

Ring The Bells For It Is Bandcamp Day Once Again!

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I make this speech a fair amount but bandcamp is the only distributor of music that seems to give two shits for new bands. On Friday once again they are waiving their own fees to give all proceeds to the artist. To be clear the rates they charge are extremely fair. However if you have a band you love that you want to show support for now is the time. I ask our Sounds and Shadows family to shout out what we will be looking to buy on Friday.

Ken (that’s me)

Blak Sunday – Spooky fierce old school bat cave death rock from Indianapolis. Crunchy Riffs and Misfit punk edge by goth members of our community that are POC. What is not to love about all of this. It’s hard and dirty full of fangs and leather. What’s not to love? This is on my must have list.

https://blak.bandcamp.com/album/blak-sunday

Cold Transmission Music (Zeitgeist 13) – Lucky number 13 of the glorious compilations from Frankfurt Germany’s Cold Transmission. 33 songs for 4 euros that spins the whole wheel of the dark music scene. it has lots of their label bands which are always top notch. As well as several other offerings from around the world. This is by far my top value pick.

https://coldtransmissionmusic.bandcamp.com/album/zeitgeist-vol-13

Eva X – From the northern lands of Alberta comes shadow queen Eva X. This album has been on my list to pick up for a while now and Friday is the day. Loving these crashing hand drum sounds and her swirling Miranda’s Sex Garden wispy vocals. That spot on blend of beauty and sinister intention.

https://eva-x.bandcamp.com/album/electrowoman

Daddybear– These are troubling times, sometimes I need a wall shaking, butt thumping, dance party. Matt Fanale of Caustic/Klack has brought that once again. It’s driving, sexy , and guarantied to make your apocalypses shake with the sweaty masses until oblivion. Also featuring the heavingly vocal stylings of grabyourface.

https://daddybear.bandcamp.com/album/ebdsm

Dead Agent – Ed Finkler once again unleashes an assault of mechanical disaster on the unsuspecting world. 24 tracks of remasters and remixes and remixes including a straight inferno from Joy Thieves. It makes me want to build a mech and fight stuff.

https://deadagent.bandcamp.com/album/fight-like-a-robot-v2

Stoneburner – (Soundsystem) Glorious new album of covers of Industrial greats like Chemlab/Covenant/Gary Numan/Ministry/Massive Attack. Also some new versions of the last few albums. If you read this page you know of my deep admiration for the art of Steven Archer. This album gives a chance to hear some of what Steven pays homage too. It’s beautifully crafted and a bit of a love letter to what inspired him. Plus it thumps.

https://stoneburnerofficial.bandcamp.com/album/stoneburner-soundsystem-kompromat-1

Katy’s Picks

Backxwash – This occult hip-hop album got me really excited. I hadn’t heard of this artist before, but I loved how the genres met.  The latest album, “God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It,” is a huge, symphonic level hip-hop album that scratched the pop sound and emphasized a witchy feel. 

https://backxwash.bandcamp.com/album/god-has-nothing-to-do-with-this-leave-him-out-of-it

Fearing – “Shadow” was released in early April and should get some recognition. This album is dreamy and poppy with a huge wash of reverb over top. There’s passion in each track with a familiar ’80s tone. 

https://fearing.bandcamp.com/album/shadow-2

New Haunts– This UK artist is making waves and just released a full-length album today. As Ken would say, “it bops!” The new album, “Fight/Flight” will make you dance from beginning to end. 

https://newhaunts.bandcamp.com/

 

Adrian’s Picks

 The Wraith – (Gloom Ballet) – LA Deathrockers The Wraith released this album late 2019, November to be exact and I have not stopped listening to it ever since. I found this band through having been a fan of Lost Tribe, singer Davey Bale`s previous band. Gloom Ballet serves excellence on each track which during these goth revival times is few and far between as the revival brings a certain amount of mediocrity with it.

https://thewraithsl.bandcamp.com/releases

Jessica93 – (Guilty Species) Jessica93 is a one man band from France, this album in particular is one I listen to on a nearly daily basis, it`s filled with rhythmic, catchy songs that just gets stuck in your head and forces you to listen to it. This album in particular leans more towards post punk although Jessica93 seems to hold no regard for genre and just do what they feel which is a trait I greatly value in artists.

https://jessica93.bandcamp.com/album/guilty-species-2

The Cult Sounds – (S/T) The self titled debut album from The Cult Sounds is yet another of those gems such as Guilty Species and Gloom Ballet where you`ll find great variety in each track, ranging from classical post punk but without feeling like tired repetition to more mellow ambiance.

https://thecultsounds.bandcamp.com/album/the-cult-sounds

Hide – (Hell Is Here) Hide is to me one of the most important bands within industrial right now. Utilizing found sound, field recording and old school sampling in modern ways all wrapped with a political message they stand out amongst the crowd and yet can not be compared to anyone.

https://hide3.bandcamp.com/album/hell-is-here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds and Shadows Podcast #4 Featuring Dan Milligan of The Joy Thieves

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https://soundcloud.com/user-616425034/the-joy-thieves-interview

This interview was a wonderful experience. The Joy Thieves are a glorious super band that has put together a who’s who of Chicago Industrial that we strong armed Dan into letting us join during the podcast. He is creating a creative oasis for artists to shine and find a voice. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed getting to know him better.

https://drabmajesty.bandcamp.com/

https://hide3.bandcamp.com/

https://iyatoyah.bandcamp.com/

https://adorationdestroyed.bandcamp.com/

https://armalyte.bandcamp.com/album/the-joy-thieves-this-will-kill-that

Take in this freaking line up : Chris Connelly: solo artist. Vocalist for Fini Tribe, Revolting Cocks, Ministry, Pigface, Murder Inc., Damage Manual, Acid Horse, Cocksure, Bells Into Machines, and more. Author. Poet. Joy Thief.

–Dave Suycott: former drummer for Stabbing Westward, The Machines of Loving Grace, Spies Who Surf, Razorhouse, Verbow, and more. Joy Thief

–Louis Svitek: guitarist for Ministry, Pigface, Mindfunk, Zoetrope, Project 44, and more. Joy Thief.

–Ania Tarnowska: one woman industrial army for I Ya Toyah. Dog lover. Joy Thief.

–Eric Liljehorn: vocalist for Ravens and In Europe Without a Jacket. Joy Thief.

–Mike Reidy: vocalist/programmer for Chicago industrial rock band, Worm (The World Organization of the Righteous Movement). Vocalist for Now I’m Nothing. Joy Thief.

–Matthew Clark: guitarist/vocalist for Mary’s Window. Joy Thief.

–James Scott: bassist/vocalist for She Rides Tigers and Matthew. Owner and engineer at Populist Recording Studio. Joy Thief.

–Dan Milligan: producer, drummer, and songwriter for Drownbeat. Drummer/programmer for Mary’s Window. Joy Thief.

–Michael Allen Gould: vocalist for Spyderbone. Vinyl enthusiast. Joy Thief.

–John Fryer: musician, producer, mixer and remixer for Black Needle Noise, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, This Mortal Coil, White Zombie, Stabbing Westward, Gravity Kills, Jesus Jones, Silver Ghost Shimmer, Yaz, Peter Murphy, etc. etc. etc. Legend. Joy Thief.

–Lana Guerra: one of a kind artist, fashion designer, performer, and owner of CrudeThings.com. Joy Thief.

–Gordon Young: guitarist for Children On Stun,Dream Disciples, and too many others to list. Mastering engineer. Sound designer. Writer/producer/arranger/remixer with Gary Numan and members of The Prodigy and Marilyn Manson. Modular synth geek. Joy Thief.

–Howie Beno: keyboardist, producer, mixing engineer, and remixer for Ministry, Black Asteroid, Silver Relics, Depeche Mode, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mary’s Window, Sheep On Drugs, Skrew, 13MG, Blondie, and many more.

–Mike Czarnik: bassist for Mary’s Window. Joy Thief.

–Taylor Busby: guitarist/vocalist for Purple. Joy Thief.

–Mimi Wallman: singer/vocal architect for ONO, Ampyre, and Host Body. Joy Thief.

–Andy Gerold: multi-instrumentalist. Former bassist with Marilyn Manson. Guitarist with Ashes Divide, 16VOLT, There Is No Us, and more. Joy Thief.

–Geoff Matson: solo artist. Joy Thief.

–Jeff Harris: guitarist for Mary’s Window. Joy Thief.

–Matt Mercado: singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer for Mindbomb, Daisy Chain, Supermercado, Pivot Man, and more. Owner of Sonic Palace Recording Studio, Chicago. Joy Thief.

–Katzen Hobbes: bassist with The Human Marvels. Sideshow performer at 999 Eyes Freakshow. Joy Thief.

–Bradley Bills: drummer/songwriter/leader of Chant. Drummer/percussionist for Evil Mothers. Has played and/or toured with KMFDM, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Skatenigs, Die Krupps, and more. Joy Thief.

–Dave Bachta: guitarist/vocalist/songwriter for Lovelies Bleeding. Joy Thief.

–Laura Glyda: solo artist. Joy Thief.

–Jaysun McBain: vocalist/instrumentalist/songwriter for Murmuur. Joy Thief.

–Matt Noveskey: bassist for Blue October. Joy Thief.

–Marcus Eliopulos: guitarist for Stabbing Westward. Joy Thief.

ANTI MUSIC : EXAMINING THE CORPSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ROOTS OF NOISE.

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I`m well aware that even within the alternative scene noise, power electronics, death industrial and all such forms of music is quite a nichè interest.
However it is an interest of mine, let me explain why;

Just like punk, noise as a genre had a DIY attitude and little to no requirement for conventional talent. Punk was, in my opinion, still firmly rooted in the rock world and that`s where noise differs greatly.

The onset of noise as a genre was just that, noise, it was a realm where anyone could use anything to express themselves in a (Anti) musical way. Self built “instruments” , found sound/field recordings, heavily processed samples and equally DIY ethic splattered visuals to accompany it all.

Bands such as Einsturzende Neubauten enjoy legend startus these days for their use of power tools as instruments and leaving stages cloaked in an inferno of both sound and actual flames. Noise of course did not necesarilly start with Neubauten but they`re probably one of the most known examples hence why I chose to reference them. Let`s not forget that electronic music equipement as is per today the most common tool within the genre was still in a quite primal state compared to modern times, and yet, incredible things were created from what was available.

These days when scouring for new artists the most common thing you`ll find goes something like this:

Black and white collage work, often heavy use of morbi, macabre imagery, photos from crime scenes, BDSM themes, serial killers and the occasional occult symbols making the album cover

The “music” itself consisting of long, drawn out, distorted and commonly monotonous synth sounds often clocking in at no less than 8-10 minutes long topped with what may be generally considered to be “vulgar” and “offensive” texts yelled/screamed and yet again layered in distortion and reverb effect units.

Back in the 70s and 80s when such acts first popped up they surely had an impact, even if only within the confines of their local scene as this has never been something that really broke through the underground.

Today in 2019 it`s a different story, by now it seems most things have been done to death and then done again and this glaringly obvious when exploring smaller scenes such as this one.

As the title of this article suggests we are here to figure out what happened to the experimental nature of this genre, I could easily extend this into the industrial genre which of course is closely related and in certain, especially earlier examples of the genre the overlap is so big you might not even be able to distinguish the two.

But let`s save my industrial rants for another time and get to the point shall we?

As previously established there are certain similarities between punk and noise and yet they both seem to end up the same place; stagnation, repetition and what I`m tempted to call hypocrisy.

Why is it that these things that constantly spout out something about having no rules are always the ones to end up the biggest victims of conformism?

And yes, I understand and agree with the thought that certain elements must be in place for something to be considered a specific subculture and genre, something that seperates it and makes it exactly that subculture/genre, but does that mean we have to live in the proverbial purgatory?

The droning, monotonous and distortion heavy music with screamed vulgar texts described earlier has come and gone, or rather it came and it just infected everything like a plague, and not the good kind.

These days you can easily make or buy what is known was “noise generators’ where all you have to do is flip a switch and hit record and within 50 minutes you will have your very own noise EP consisting of what is more or less the same 10 minute long song over and over.

To me, having such tools available feels like cheating, this was an experimental genre and such a tool would completely take away any sense of experimentation. Even if you were to create similar sounds using hardware synthesizer at the very least you would get the experience of creating it, sculpting and molding it with your own hands, carefully adjusting the knobs and pushing the keys untill the desired sound is achieved.

Now, these noise generators are at the very least still within the hardware realm, it would of course be much easier and cheaper to just download a pirated version of a DAW and simply load up a VST.

I myself have slowly moved away from softsynths, trying to not rely on my DAW as anything more than a tape recorder. Im not quite where I want to be just yet but I would say Im making good progress, I also spend several hours a day (and night) crafting my own samples from field recordings, modular synth sessions or whatever I may think of there and then.

Ive slowly come to realize I may have a bit of an obsession about realness, I need things to be real, I need to be able to say that I play this and that part of a song by hand or at the very least created the samples used to program it all. Its a blessing and a curse.

It may sound a tad dramatic but at times I feel its nearly insulting to the pioneers of these highly experimental genres wether that be noise or industrial, to just take the easy way out, just click around the screen or make the absoloute most basic variety of noise/power electronics and preach some nonsense about how its oh so confrontational, bending ethics and morals and purposelly provoking the “sheep brained masses” by the use of fascist imagery.

If youre one of those Im sorry (not sorry) to tell you that you`re gonna have to step your game up. Fascism has been done, the world is seemingly chronically engulfed in an inferno of horror and plagues of a million kinds, these tactics are done, played out, absoloutely and completely useless in the face of the true and modern world.

As we crawl towards the end of all this I wantto add that I in no way think anyone is wrong or less-than for liking and genuinly wanting to create that exact form of noise I earlier explained, if that is truly what you enjoy and you get something out of it wether it be listening to it or making it then great! Keep going, keep doing what YOU enjoy and ignore me and aynone else who may feel differently. Individuality is key. Experiment, get weird, oppose logic, set things on fire, do things and create things that your friends and family would shun you for.

I`ll leave a small list of suggestions consisting of releases within the noise genre that I find to be interesting for one reason or another.

Lingua Ignota – Caligula (2019)

Pharmakon – Bestial Burden (2014)

Hide – Hell Is Here (2019)

The Grey Wolves – Exit Strategy (2017)