As the wheel turns to a new year, so do many of us turn to this time as an opportunity to also start fresh and anew. In the vein of setting personal goals like getting fit, drinking less, or quitting smoking, we thought we could offer some resolutions that could be fulfilling to not only the individual, but perhaps the goth community as well. To spread positivity to the scene, we’ve compiled some ways in which we can all contribute to the scene individually and collectively. You never know what kind of positive karma can come back your way.
Support the Music This is what the goth subculture is first and foremost – a music-based subculture. Supporting music applies to not just the more established legacy bands but includes looking for newer artists that strike your fancy.
o Follow and subscribe to the social media accounts of your favorite bands, interacting with their posts (even if it’s only a favorite or like)
o Share their content on your own social media accounts
o Make purchases (music, t-shirts, patches, stickers, etc.) from smaller bands through their websites, Bandcamp, Apple iTunes, etc.
o If feasible, check out their concert performances if they’re playing live near you.
Start a Social Media Channel If you’re feeling lucky and plucky, highlight the scene through social media via TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. Talk about your favorite bands, bands you’ve discovered, your favorite make-up looks, how to tease and back comb your hair for a night out, or that rad new battle vest you’re putting together loaded with studs, patches, blood, sweat, and tears.
Organize a Cemetery Picnic or Cleanup This one way be trickier, but it is doable. Some communities have preservation societies that work to keep their local cemeteries clean and healthy. Some of these organizations even offer tours. Working with these groups can sometimes lead to permissions being granted for meetups in the cemetery. Imagine having a lovely afternoon tea with scones and finger sandwiches, while dressed to your spooky best!
DIY BABY! At the core of the scene is the persistent “Do It Yourself” aesthetics. Depending on the area you live in, thrifting is still a thing, though it can be tricky if you don’t want to be stuck with camo jackets or khaki corduroy pants. If you are lucky to find some good hauls from a thrift store, all sorts of goth looks can potentially be put together!
Support Small and Independent Artists This includes everything from wardrobe all the way up to home décor. It’s not to say that bigger “label” brands are bad, but there’s just a nice feeling helping a smaller artist who’s doing this for not only a way to provide a service to the scene, but also to explore their own creative endeavors. There are so many fantastic jewelry makers, seamstresses, painters, sculptors, taxidermists, perfumers, and more out there that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Thankfully, searches on social media deliver a wealth of resources. If you’re fortunate enough to have one nearby, also consider supporting your local alternative clothing and record stores.
Read a Book! There are some many great books, both fiction and non-fiction, related to our scene. Many goths count in their range everything from the Gothic literature of Mary Shelley to the modern dark fantasy worlds of Neil Gaiman or Billy Martin (under the pen name of Poppy Z. Brite). If your looking for more modern information on the scene, look no further than the works of Andi Hariman or Mick Mercer (just two names to consider).
With all of theses suggestions in mind, feel free to add your own and let us know what those are or how we can make this list better!