DARK BLOGS:
I Die: You Die
Alex and Bruce blog about EBM, electronic and dark music, via this podcast that takes its name from a Gary Numan song.
http://www.idieyoudie.com/
The 6Forty Project
"A home for interesting music." You can listen to 640 minutes of music in each post. The blog includes posts on recent releases and new discoveries. A great way to discover new bands or revisit songs you haven't heard in a long time by various dark musicians.
http://www.6forty.com/
The 6Forty Project on Facebook
DARK BUSINESSES:
The Dungeons
This dark entertainment business has locations in multiple cities, including San Francisco, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, York, and so on. The attractions offer live performances, dark rides, mazes, and special effects. Each venue offers a different experience. These sound SO fun to check out! I simply must go to San Francisco again soon and put a visit to The Dungeons on my itinerary.
http://www.thedungeons.com/
The London Dungeon
The London Dungeon on Facebook
Gothic Wine
This winery in the Willamette Valley in Oregon sells wines called "Nevermore," "Telltale Rose," "Ophelia" Chardonnay, and "Gothic Hyland Pinot Noir."
http://www.gothicwine.com/
Gothic Wine on Facebook
The Grimstones
Asphyxia's gothic fairy tale books and an app, too. Written in Australia, the tales feature a girl named Martha Grimstone who reads dreams. Read more about the intriguing lady behind all this, Asphyxia.
http://www.thegrimstones.com/
The Grimstones on Facebook
Slaughtered Lamb Pub
This theme bar is in New York City. It advertises itself as "An ancient pub operated by a family of werewolves." It's open 365 days a year. Imagine going here on Christmas Eve? Hrm.
http://www.slaughteredlambpub.com/
The Slaughtered Lamb Pub on Facebook
Sugar Skull Rum
I haven't tasted Sugar Skull Rum yet. I'm wondering if they're mostly relying on their amazing packaging to sell the product. I'm assuming each rum has a slightly different flavor - the website and Facebook page aren't offering an explanation of any flavor profiles yet.
http://www.sugarskullrum.com/
Sugar Skull Rum on Facebook
DARK AND GOTHIC MUSIC:
Natural Velvet
A post-punk band from Baltimore. Their music isn't goth or dark, but I do like it. The singer sort of reminds me of Courtney Love but with better enunciation and a better voice. My favorite song by them so far is "Cathedral Street."
Natural Velvet, on Bandcamp
Natural Velvet, on Facebook
Natural Velvet, on Soundcloud
Partly Faithful
This post-punk band from London describes their music as "dark-vogue" and "trash-vogue." Their influences include Bauhaus, Nick Cave, The March Violets, and Einstürzende Neubauten. Check out their official video "Needles." Do I hear a John Lydon influence in the vocals?
http://www.partlyfaithful.com/
Partly Faithful on Facebook
Partly Faithful on YouTube
Photophore
This band from Calgary in Canada describes their music as "industrial speakeasy." They feature a female vocalist. My favorite song from their Soundcloud list so far is "Vitriol."
Photophore on Facebook
Photophore on Soundcloud
Photophore on Twitter
Rule of Thirds
A goth band from Adelaide, Australia. Their influences include Christian Death, Xmal Deutschland, Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Cure and The Wake. You can check out their song Mother/Master on YouTube. Another female vocalist! yay.
Rule of Thirds at Bandcamp
Rule of Thirds on Facebook
Splintered In Her Head
This band is a Cure cover band from Wellington, New Zealand. Here's a video of them performing "M" live back in April 2014.
Splintered In Her Head on Facebook
Whores of Whitechapel
A Victorian-inspired gothic rock band from Wellington, New Zealand. I love that there's so much cool dark stuff going on all the way on the other side of the world!
http://whoresofwhitechapel.com/
Whores of Whitechapel on Facebook
DARK PAGES IN OTHER LANGUAGES:
Darkrecords
A Spanish blog about goth and dark music in Mexico. Currently posting about the upcoming Peter Hook & The Light concert in November. There are also album reviews and peeks at the author's collection of favorite CDs.
http://darkrecords-fernando.blogspot.com/
Espasmos Cadavericos
A Portuguese blog about coldwave, deathrock, gothic and post-punk music. With some naughty album download offerings.
http://espasmoscadavericos.blogspot.com/
DARK SHOPS:
Cast Shadows Studio
This Connecticut based artist, Richard Chalifour, sells architectural and garden sculptures - mostly gorgeous gargoyles. There are some amazing light switch plates, as well.
My favorite piece here is this Protector gargoyle.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CastShadows
Cast Shadows Studio on Facebook
Dreamtrappings
Natalie Ewert's Fullerton, California based shop where she sells tombstone and Oz themed jewelry and accessories. There are a few one-offs, like a pair of calaveras earrings, a little brown bat brooch, and a quirky Day of the Dead Holiday in a Bottle necklace.
My favorite piece here is this Bela Lugosi gravestone brooch.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/dreamtrappings
Elegant Curiosities
Beautiful jewelry and headwear from Laila Tas in the Netherlands. She also offers a few boleros.
What do you think of her Threnody Choker with Mink Skull?
http://elegantcuriosities.com/
Elegant Curiosities, on Facebook
Jack of London
This shop sells retro fashions and vintage style clothing. Brands they carry include Hell Bunny, H&R London, Spin Doctor, and Voodoo Vixen.
My favorite dress here is this red and black flocked one.
http://www.jackoflondon.co.uk/
Jack of London on Facebook
Jack of London on Twitter
Spiderwood Hollow
These decorative handmade spiders aren't just for Halloween! They're made by an artist in Vancouver, Washington. Besides the decorative spiders and copper wire webs, there are also a few nice pieces of spider jewelry too.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpiderwoodHollow
SpiderwoodHollow on Facebook
Stephanie Buscema Art
Oh, I'm going to have so much trouble picking just one favorite art print from here to showcase! The artist lives in New York, and offers some stickers, tote bags and buttons along with her darling prints. The prints feature witches, vampires, monsters, witchy and gothy women, cute little skulls, and vixens. The style is kinda modern, kinda retro, kinda kitschy, and very awesome!
It was painful, but I came up with a favorite: Spell Castin' Sybil. Man, I need a stationery set made from this image!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/StephBuscemaMart
Stephanie Buscema on Facebook
Vanyanis
Custom corsetry design from Australia. The designs here are stunningly beautiful. I'm wondering if the website is a bit outdated - the three Collections you can view are Dangerous Liaisons, Circa Nocturna 2009 and Circa Nocturna 2009. But their blog and Facebook are updated, so I suppose everything's ok. They sell gorgeous corsets, a gown, clothing, shoes, and even stockings. There's also a section for beautiful gothic jewelry and accessories. Check out the Portfolio section of the site to see the lovely designs you could have custom made to fit you.
http://www.vanyanis.net/
Vanyanis on Facebook
Vengeance Designs
Kayla's high end latex, fetish and cosplay shop in New York City. There are dresses, bodysuits, catsuits, lingerie and swimwear, tops, bottoms and accessories. There's also a higher end line called Dead Souls Collection with some really amazing designs.
The Black Swan bodysuit is my favorite thing here.
http://vengeancedesigns.net/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/vengeancedesigns
Vengance Designs on Facebook
GOTH LOCAL RESOURCES
Dark Calgary
Goth and alternative resources and events calendar for Calgary Canada. There seems to be a good amount of cool things going on.
http://dark-calgary.webs.com/
Dark Calgary on Facebook
Dark Calgary on Tumblr
Dark Calgary on Twitter
Goth Mexico
This Facebook networking group for goths in Mexico has 14,000 members. It seems well moderated, and was just updated today. I love up-to-date resources!
Goth Mexico Group on Facebook
San Diego Gothic and Industrial Scene
The Facebook group for San Diego goth/industrial resources and events. San Diego was my hometown growing up, but I was a punk at the time and didn't get into the goth lifestyle til I moved to Seattle. I've always found San Diego a really well organized town for various scenes, so I'm surprised there are only 500 members in this group. Still, it's very useful!
SD Gothic and Industrial Scene on Facebook
--Copyright 2014 Carrie Carolin
Dark Side of the Net - now in its 21st year!