The goth music scene is dominated by white people — that isn’t a surprise, and it’s a result of many different circumstances.
The goth subculture first emerged during the United Kingdom (UK) post-punk scene by bands such as Bauhaus, Joy Division and the Cure. This scene was predominately white because of the UK’s predominantly White British demographic. Additionally, Eurocentric aesthetics was tied with the goth subculture, such as the pale white face and the thin, bat-like noses, leading it to be associated with whiteness.
Besides the punk politics, being goth means having an affinity to the dark and unusual. It is to find beauty in melancholy, rebellion in sadness and joy in the dark. It’s a matter of personal taste, yes, and does not mean that all goths are replicas of the goth kids from the TV show “South Park,” but it is a key part in the identity.
Goth is also a music-based subculture, where these ideals come into play in the form of dark and romantic subject matter, accompanied by various sounds like gothic rock, darkwave, deathrock, gothic metal and so much more.
With the constant push of white-led bands on social media, it’s easy to miss the bands made up of minorities who deserve just as much love; and I would like to share a few of my favorites as a reminder that people of color have always been and will always continue to be part of the goth subculture.
She Wants Revenge
A duo consisting of artists Adam Bravin and Justin Warfield, and despite now becoming one of the most popular and influential goth musicians of our generation, it comes as a surprise to many to learn that Warfield is of mixed descent, with an African-American father and a Jewish-Romanian mother. Their music can best be described as post-punk revival and darkwave, focusing on a more dance-oriented beat. The gothic influence is shown best in their 2006 studio album, “She Wants Revenge.”
O Children
Fans of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds will quickly recognize this band’s name as a direct reference to their song, “O Children.” Listening to them, one can instantly swoon for the deep and melodic vocals of Tobias O’Kandi, a man of Nigerian descent. They quickly rose to fame with their breakthrough single, “Dead Disco Dancer,” featuring a dance-worthy track with playful lyrics about a murdered disco dancer.
Twin Tribes
A darkwave Texan duo, they’re considered one of the staples of the modern gothic scene with their classic sound. Formed by Luis Navarro and Joel Niño, they blend the classic 1980’s sound — reminiscent of Depeche Mode, I would say — with melancholic and macabre lyrics in both English and Spanish to create a moody yet enticing sound. “Solo miro fantasmas, están dentro de ti,” [I only look at ghosts, they are inside of you] — and you will also see ghosts inside of you and me when you listen to their 2019 album, “Ceremony.”
Scary Black:
Scary Black is one of my newest finds, but quickly rose to be one of my favorites. Their mix of 1980’s darkwave combined with a modern take on southern gothic transports you to a dark castle on the edge of a cliff far, far away. Fronted by Albie Mason, this band can only be described as raw and authentic, which begs the question: “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”
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Photo: Mikaela Arnold
