Teen Gothic

I'm just in my twenties but when I look at the history of goth, grunge, emo, cyberpunk etc. it used to be more distinctively differenciated.

For myself I can't really tell which subculture I belong to I love goth literature and art but I only sometimes like to listen to goth music. When I listen to music it is mostly rock and metal. Clothing wise it depends on the day sometimes just black, other days goth, some other day more metal, sometimes slightly emo and other days grunge.

I also feel that other alternative people just don't limit themself to one genre. From my understanding of the alternative history it felt more differentiated then nowadays.

What are your takes on that? Do you think it changed or was it always like that?

I was looking into a certain drum machine which led me to happen upon a channel that uses AI to give an "educational" retrospect on certain aspects of goth subculture. Not gonna mention their name because I personally hate it. AI usage is lazy and worse than poseurdom especially if you're using it for historical knowledge. It's cringe and it tries to anatomize the culture in a lazy way. The whole channel is AI, a visual misrepresentation of the subculture as well as quasi academic attempt at shining a light on something they are far removed from. Anyways, it tickled me wrong and I hope AI isn't being embraced by real goths.

Me and my husband have been working out this plan for a couple of years now. Its going to be a visually gothic vampire themed establishment with a huge focus on goth music/sub culture. We live a bit further out from a more well known scene…Its bigger and has at least a few other alternative establishments. Area we currently are in has a more fledgling scene and only a couple of small businesses that are alternative. I am trying to figure out what would be the best course of action. I'd love to help build the local scene where we are. The problem is it's more expensive here for rent, but packing up our lives and changing day jobs would be probably just as expensive. The other area is also pretty established and I am worried we would be taking up space from another venue as there are several that already have goth nights Wherever our bat wings land us we want to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone. I would love some perspectives on if we should stay and try to maybe get some help with funding or make a big move and possibly take out a larger loan. Anyway if this kind of post is not allowed or if I maybe used the wrong flaire please let me know. Thank you🦇

i wasn't born during the 80s nor the 90s and i wasn't exposed to any goth music when i was growing up, yet when i hear it, i feel the most inexplicably otherworldly comforting feeling– this vague feeling of home–but i don't even know if i could call it that because it seems to feel for experiences that were never mine in the first place.

i like it nonetheless. does anyone feel the same?

I just got invited to a "goth baddies assemble" group on Instagram and the contents sickened me. What I didn't show here that was also in the chat was clip art of sexual acts. All from the people you see in the screenshots. It was disgusting to see, and infuriating. The constant fetishization of the subculture pisses me off on a daily damn occurrence. I reported the chat itself and the people, but I of course doubt that IG will even do a damn thing. I felt the need, amidst my agitation lmao, to come to reddit to vent about it and use it as an opportunity for discussion on how you as individuals feel about this constant issue and what you do to prevail over this and any experiences you've had related to being sexualized and objectified without your consent, when just trying to exist and mind your business.

(And if any of yall feel the desire to seek out that scum and mass report them, that would just be sweet, sweet justice 🤭 but that's just a bonus lol)

To clarify, I’m not a goth. Maybe I could be a goth if I tried! But I haven’t tried at least not yet. Anyway, I am a trans woman and this community is the only community besides my own that is consistently wholesome and kind to me. More open arms than you count.

I gravitate towards you in public spaces because I’m like “Okay, safe people. Safe people. Thank God. Safe people.” And I won’t even know y’all and I haven’t been wrong yet.

Just gotta say, love you guys!

If you don’t know who buck-tick is it’s a Japanese “Gothic rock” band from the 80’s. I’d recommend kiss me goodbye and Dress as first time listens.

Everytime I recommend bands to a newer goth it always reminds me of when I was 12 and getting into the scene. It's a good feeling. It's nice helping someone discover who they are. Does anyone else feel this way?! I hope I'm not alone on this lol

Maybe I'm just oversimplifying it, but it really seems like only one core tenant needs to truly be met to claim oneself as goth: listen to and appreciate the music. If the music isn't goth, there's nothing wrong with that, but the subculture is based around the music.

Bonus points for the makeup, the clothing, the philosophies, the books, the movies, etc. But being goth is really so straightforward, at least in my mind.

Musically, i feel im not too bad at writing stuff, especially basslines. However, when it comes to lyrics i can't re-read anything i've written without wanting to tear out my vital organs. Any tips?