Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
Concert Review: Peter Murphy and David J.– The Ruby Celebration: 40 Years of Bauhaus at The Paramount in Austin TX: goth icons bring dark atmosphere to Austin (Photo Credit: Judy Lyon). One cursory glance at The Paramount Theatre and you can see why it was the venue of choice for Peter Murphy and David J. […]
Book Reviews: The Big Book of Super Hero Bedtime Stories and Girl Power Brain Boosters: latest Downtown Bookworks releases both stimulate the brain and prepare kids for sleepy-time. Downtown Bookworks have created a wonderful line of kids books that impart helpful life lessons with the help of DC Comics characters, and they continue their winning streak […]
Evi Vine ‘Sabbath’ Review: single from forthcoming album showcases a furor of dark delights, and an impressive goth pedigree. When you’re about to listen to a song called Sabbath for the first time, expectations are high. The title of course draws associations with the progenitors of metal Black Sabbath, but it also conjures images of religious […]
Crooked Ghost ‘Skeleton House’ Review, North Carolinians conjure vintage 80’s goth on sophomore release. If you didn’t know better, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Skeleton House, the sophomore album from Crooked Ghost, was an obscure undiscovered gem released in the early 80’s by a bunch of black clad Brits. You’d be wrong, however, because the […]
Concert Review: The Revolution at Emo’s Austin: band honors Prince’s legacy with return visit to state capital. It was a packed house last Saturday night at Emo’s Austin, on a particularly chilly evening. But things heated up quickly once indoors–The Revolution, the virtuoso backing band of Prince Rogers Nelson, were once again ready to pay […]
Episode 24: Silent Night Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker-Smells Like Cinematic Sadness Podcast: Mickey Rooney terrorizing children with killer toys–it’s an unsung holiday classic! Christmas is just around the corner, so what better way to celebrate the holiday spirit than talking about an absolutely horrible yuletide horror movie? In the latest episode in our Smells […]
Burning House ‘Mirror Song’: UK shoegaze trio fire on all all psychedelic cylinders on new single off forthcoming 2019 album. If you were none the wiser, you’d swear that Mirror Song, the latest release for Burning House, was straight out of the late 80’s/early 90’s–a roaring mix of feedback and careening melody recalling vintage My […]
Parabola West ‘Calling Your Name’ Review: New Zealand songstress casts soothing soundscapes on new single. In the 21st century its hard for new musical vocabulary to be made: the elements of modern songcraft have been well explored. But it’s always nice to see an artist twist the familiar into new shapes. Such is the case […]
Ty Segall ‘Fanny’ Single Review: vinyl edition of Freedom’s Goblin single’s proceeds to benefit animal rescue organizations One of the highlights of Ty Segall’s 2018 release Freedom’s Goblin was Fanny, a touching ode to his pet dachshund of the same name. Segall is following that release with a new 3-track vinyl EP (on Aagoo Records) […]
Christopher Sky ‘Vastness’ Review: L.A. based instrumentalist conjures immersive ambient soundscapes that both invigorate and soothe. Composer/instrumentalist Christopher Sky’s newest album Vastness (out November 9th on vinyl through Aagoo Records, and digitally via Hidden Shoal) is a master class of ambient mood, light, and shade. Crafting rich soundscapes through guitar, electronics and percussion, Sky creates a fully immersive sonic […]