New(ish) Music for the Dark at Heart

Cover for Blacklist Night of the Century

Last week, I put together a small playlist of mostly '80s tunes that reminded me of Halloween, but weren't the usual holiday hits. The response was great and I couldn't help but take notice of reader Alexander Tregaskis' comment:

" I really wish the definition of 'goth' didn't get tainted by the mainstream, and 'emo' trends these days.

Bauhaus, Mission UK, Alien Sex Fiend, Virgin Prunes...We need to bring that scene back. There are a few modern bands like White Rose Movement that have the right feel, though."

Well said, Alexander. So, for those who are on a quest for new music that in some way embrace the darkness of your favorite vinyl classics, I put together the following cross-genre list of tunes. Enjoy.

Blacklist "Flight of the Demoiselles"

Blacklist
Recommended for fans of The Chameleons, Mission UK and The Cult

Part of New York's Wierd Records family, Blacklist is single-handedly reviving the lush guitar, bombastic vocal combination made popular during the goth heyday of the mid-to-late 1980s. The band will make its West Coast debut on November 14 at Nomad as part of Wierd's weekend-long LA showcase. Check out Blacklist's latest album, Midnight of the Century.

Jessie Evans "Blood & Silver"

Jessie Evans
Recommended for fans of Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Creatures

Formerly a member of cult favorite groups Subtonix and The Vanishing, Jessie Evans moved to Berlin before recording her debut solo album Is It Fire? If the percussive sound gives you flashbacks of Siouxsie and the Banshees B-sides and Creatures albums, it might be because Evans worked with drummer Budgie, in addition to Toby Dammit (Swans) and Thomas Stern (Einsturzende Neubauten) on the collection.

Fever Ray "When I Grow Up"

Fever Ray
Recommended for fans of Fad Gadget, The Normal and Skinny Puppy

Fever Ray is the solo project of The Knife's Karin Dreijer Andersson and it's as much a must-own for Mute Records connoisseurs as it is for fans of frightening, Skinny Puppy-styled electronics. Like Fad Gadget and Skinny Puppy, Fever Ray also knows how to turn a concert into a weird and wonderful visual trip. Check out our coverage of her gig at LA's Henry Fonda Theater.