February 17, 2014

Five Interesting Dark and Gothy Blogs

DARK BLOGS:

Goth Gourmande

Amaya Booker's gourmet cooking blog. She's an Aussie transplant living in San Francisco, blogging about geeky things. Recent posts include reviews of restaurants she ate at during her recent trip to Las Vegas, recommendations of some cooking shows she's currently enjoying, and her recipe for low carb peanut butter cups. This isn't a very gothy blog, but the author is cool and has good taste and varied interests, so I think if you enjoy gourmet food you'll want to bookmark this.

http://www.gothgourmande.com/

https://twitter.com/Illdrinn/

A Grave Interest

This blog is about cemetery culture, graveyards, cemetery architecture, mourning, and genealogy. Joy writes well and shares beautiful photographs. This is her fourth year blogging about cemeteries here.

http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/

Alice-NeverWonderDarkland

Miss Alice lives in Portugal. She blogs about goth and industrial music, her green hair, her obsession with skulls and horns, horror films, and alternative fashion.

http://alice-neverwonderdarkland.blogspot.com/

Matilda Marble Eye

A Finnish goth blogger. She's currently posting about what goths can wear in cold weather; sharing photos of some bat cookies she baked; and sharing her mania for elegant underwear.

http://matildamarbleeye.blogspot.com/

She Walks Softly

Dana's blog. She's interested in arts, literature, technology, science and the media. She blogs about art, anatomy, sculptures, ephemera, and other intriguing topics. She shares cool finds, such as If Alien and Predator Were Little Golden Books. I'll be back often to see what she's currently geeking out about!

http://shewalkssoftly.com/

Dark Side of the Net dark subculture links

February 16, 2014

New Dark Links for a Wintry February Sunday Night

DARK ART:

Creature Spot

"The spot for creature art, artists, and fans." Gorgeous and imaginative drawings, paintings, sculptures, and digital imaginings of creatures and monsters. This community site encompasses a blog as well as a forum and Facebook page.

http://www.creaturespot.com/

Creature Spot on Facebook

Creature Spot on Twitter

Enamorte

A digital artist from Australia. She creates beautiful gothic fantasy art. Take a peek at her Amethyst Eyes gallery. My favorite piece here is "The Alpha Crow."

http://enamorte.deviantart.com/

https://www.facebook.com/artbyenamorte

http://instagram.com/enamorte

http://enamorte.tumblr.com/

DARK LITERATURE:

Gothic Readers Book Club

"A gathering of like-minded souls who read Gothic literature." They just this week disbanded; but you can benefit from their past blog posts. They recommended books and introduced contemporary new gothic authors.

http://gothicreadersbookclub.blogspot.com/

Monster Librarian

"Read to survive." This is an extremely useful, helpful and important resource for horror books, dark librarians, and lovers of horror fiction. There are resources for librarians, book reviews, vampire fiction reviews, and info on upcoming horror fiction releases. I really enjoyed browsing this site tonight and got quite off track exploring their offerings.

http://www.monsterlibrarian.com/

Paranormal Book Club

A blog with paranormal book reviews (Mostly in the YA subgenre, as you can imagine) and author recommendations. They do a few giveaways, as well.

http://paranormal-bookclub.com/

DARK MUSIC:

Batzz in the Belfry

A gothic rock band based in San Francisco. They feature a violinist, and they're inspired by Siouxsie, Sisters of Mercy, and Bauhaus.

http://www.batzz.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/BATZZ-in-the-belfry/209396946799

Solemn Meant Walks

A post-punk goth band from Chicago. I love female vocalists!

https://www.facebook.com/SolemnMeantWalks

http://solemnmeantwalks.bandcamp.com/

Ultranoir

A band from Finland that describes their sound as "noir wave" and "death disco."

https://www.facebook.com/ultranoironline

http://www.last.fm/music/Ultranoir

http://ultranoir.bandcamp.com/

DARK SHOPS:

The Art of Reese

Reese Hilburn's dark art, based in Los Angeles. (By the way, the artist is also a tattoo artist!) This shop sells both prints and original oil paintings. My favorite painting here is "Mother of Orkhis."

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtOfReese

https://www.facebook.com/TheArtOfReese

Bubbles & Frown

Bubbles & Frown is a Los Angeles-based haberdashery shop. I love how distinctive and unique their creations are. They use a lot of feathers in their pieces. I'm getting a kick out of their "Ritzy von Ritzerson" mini top hat!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BubblesAndFrown

https://www.facebook.com/BubblesAndFrown

Cryptocurium

A New Jersey-based maker of Lovecraftian curiosities - artifacts and specimens, mostly jewelry. Really cool stuff here!

http://www.cryptocurium.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cryptocurium

PARANORMAL:

The Haunted Librarian

"Researching, investigating, and writing about haunted locations." A busy and active blog. Recent posts include "Train Rules and Darwin," Ghost Radar: Legacy, "Sorry, I Almost Got You Killed," and "Faking It."

http://thehauntedlibrarian.com/

Seeks Ghosts

A paranormal blog with posts on historical ghost occurrences, including Mission San Juan Capistrano's ghosts and a haunted street in Scotland called Mary King's Close.

http://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/

DARK ZINES:

Aether NZ

You can download the first (premiere) issue of this Steampunk online magazine. Slick and interesting to read! It was published in October 2013.

http://www.aethernz.co.nz/

Dark Side of the Net dark subculture links

February 14, 2014

Meet My Twitter Followers: Letter A

Angelmaia, @AngelMaiaShop

A stay at home goth mom from Torrington, CT (a lovely town I had the pleasure to visit about 10 years ago to attend a wedding). She runs the AngelMaia goth clothing and jewelry shop on Etsy.

https://twitter.com/AngelMaiaShop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelMaia

Author J.S. Morin, @authorjsmorin

J.S. Morin is the author of the Twinborn Trilogy. He lives in New Hampshire. He has 72,000 followers but more remarkably, follows 70,000 people - how on earth does he process such a big feed and is he able to enjoy all the tweets coming at him? He was "Reddit fantasy author of the day" on Wednesday August 21st, 2013.

https://twitter.com/authorjsmorin

http://www.jsmorin.com/

Disjecta Membra, @Achromaticia

A New Zealand gothic rock band. In fall 2013 they opened up for Peter Murphy. I love their tagline on Facebook - "We're not as good as The Birthday Party, but we're better than the Sisters of Mercy!" Hehe.

https://twitter.com/Achromaticia

https://www.facebook.com/disjectamembra.nz

Amyrrhond, @amyrrhond

An electronica/noir musician from Minneapolis.

https://twitter.com/amyrrhond

https://www.facebook.com/Amyrrhond

http://www.reverbnation.com/Amyrrhond

AlterRed, @alterred

The frontman for the London based electro-rock/goth industrial band "AlterRed."

https://twitter.com/AlterRed

http://www.alterred.co.uk/

Azahara, @azaharaagarcia

This art blogger, writer and poet lives in London.

https://twitter.com/azaharaagarcia

http://visceralia.com/

Alienskin Clothing, @alienskindesign

Gorgeous gothic and alternative clothing from the UK. They also sell some lovely faery gowns. The clothing is designed not by just one designer, but by a collective of them.

https://twitter.com/AlienskinDesign

http://www.alienskin.co.uk/

Alternative Modeling Contest, @AltModelContest

An annual contest that takes place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK. They also appear to visit other cities as well scouting for goth and alternative models.

https://twitter.com/AltModelContest

http://alternativemodelling.co.uk/

Aztec Doll, @AztecDollUK

A UK-based alternative rock band. They're planning to play some UK gigs starting in May 2014.

https://twitter.com/AztecDollUK

https://www.facebook.com/aztecdoll

Kysha Townsend, @AGirlCalledBlue

A talented digital photographer from New York.

https://twitter.com/AGirlCalledBlue

https://www.facebook.com/ClockworkMarionette

A Ring of Thorns, @ARingOfThorns

"Dark, downbeat music" with female vocals. This band hails from the UK.

https://twitter.com/ARingOfThorns

http://aringofthorns.com/

https://www.facebook.com/aringofthorns

Robert Tritthardt, @AChanceOfDOOM

An awesome goth comic artist from Seattle. He creates "Writhe and Shine."

https://twitter.com/AChanceOfDOOM

https://www.facebook.com/groups/270420052986895/

http://chanceofdoom.com/

AstraZero, @AstraZero

An alternative dark artist from Canada.

https://twitter.com/astrazero

http://astrazero.net/

KitteD, @AuntieD13

A goth from Finland, with really interesting Tweets (trust me, worth checking out!)

https://twitter.com/AuntieD13

https://www.facebook.com/AuntieD13

Amanda Blake, @amandablake72

A dark artist and portraitist from Italy.

https://twitter.com/amandablake72

https://twitter.com/NevroVamp

https://www.facebook.com/amanda.casaburo.7

http://nevrovamp.deviantart.com/

Martin Attrition, @attritionuk

One of my all time favorite goth bands! Performing since 1980.

https://twitter.com/attritionuk

https://www.facebook.com/thecagestudios

http://www.attrition.co.uk/

A Pale Horse Named Death, @APHND

A Brooklyn-based band featuring Sal Abruscato, who was formerly in Type-O-Negative.

https://twitter.com/APHND

http://apalehorsenameddeath.com/

Jacqueline O'Lantern, @AllHallowsRead

Great source of horror news, year-round Halloween, and Writer/Host at All Hallows' Read.

https://twitter.com/AllHallowsRead

Anniversary Circle, @AnniversaryCir1

A cool goth/post-punk band that's in desperate need of a 2014 website makeover.

https://twitter.com/AnniversaryCir1

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anniversary-Circle/61576647001

http://www.anniversarycircle.com/

L. Rosario, @Author_LRosario

Author of erotic vampire romances. Her latest release is "The Vampire's Madam."

https://twitter.com/Author_LRosario

http://lrosario.com/

Auxiliary Magazine, @auxiliarymag

A slick alternative fashion, music, and lifestyle magazine available online for free and in print. So well done!

https://twitter.com/auxiliarymag

http://auxiliarymagazine.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuxiliaryMagazine

Alysha Tree, @AlyshaTree

A yoga teacher and tribal bellydancer from California. She's also a knitter, a doula, and wow, a lot of other things - so active! I love to read tweets from interesting people like this.

https://twitter.com/alyshatree

http://www.thairestorativeyoga.blogspot.com/

Adrian Phoenix, @AdrianPhoenix

An urban fantasy writer from Oregon. He wrote The Maker's Song series.

https://twitter.com/AdrianPhoenix

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrian-Phoenix/332514106808453

http://www.adrianphoenix.com/

AmeliaG, @ameliag

Renowned writer, photographer, editor and publisher. She runs BlueBlood the legendary gothic/alternative magazine, and recently published a gorgeous glossy book of Southern California deathrock photos.

https://twitter.com/AmeliaG

http://www.blueblood.net/

http://ameliag.com/

Le Noir Bazaar, @ALTOMGOTHIC

A gothic shop in Tacoma, Washington. They specialize in the "romantic goth" style.

http://www.lenoirbazaar.com/

Amarantha, @amarantha00

Karen is one of my absolute favorite people to follow on Pinterest. She lives in California, and runs Eternal Wedding Design as well as the Etsy shop Amarantha's Ashes. Busy lady! Not a lot of Tweets though.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/amaranthasashes

http://www.eternal-wedding-design.com/

http://www.pinterest.com/amarantha00/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amaranthas-Ashes/109299862434940

Amsterdam Spook, @amsterdamspook

Amsterdam Spook (Tamar) organizes legendary Halloween parties in Amsterdam, and Tweets about Halloween, horror movies and costume design.

https://twitter.com/AmsterdamSpook

https://www.facebook.com/halloween.amsterdam

http://halloweenamsterdam.com/

Amalthea's Attic, @Amaltheasattic

One of my top favorite goth stores. They're based in New York. The Twitter stream is really interesting, with lots of dark things to present other than just content about the store.

https://twitter.com/amaltheasattic

https://amaltheasattic.com/

Dark Side of the Net

February 8, 2014

New Dark Links for February 8, 2014

DARK ART:

Vampirekingdom

Vampirekingdom features dark art from Argentinian artist Patricia Petruzzella. Her recent works include "Alone," (shown above), "The Rose," and "My Darker Side." I think you'll really enjoy exploring this gallery.

http://vampirekingdom.deviantart.com/

Patricia Petruzzella on Facebook

DARK BUSINESSES:

Eldritch Theatre

A Toronto-based theatre company specializing in ghoulish and spooky productions. Coming soon: "Frankenstein's Boy" and "The House at Poe Corner."

http://www.eldritchtheatre.ca/

Eldritch Theatre Group on Facebook

Eldritch Theatre Group on YouTube

DARK MUSIC:

Freakangel

An electro-industrial band from Estonia. They played at the Lumous gothic music festival in 2013.

http://www.freakangel.net/

Freakangel on Facebook

Freakangel on Last.fm

DARK SHOPS:

Arkana Clothing

Steampunk and gothic t-shirts and accessories from British designer Alexandra Howard. There are hair accessories, pendants, and quite a lot of brooches. Quite a few of these would be more than appropriate for Valentine's Day, especially this Love Hurts brooch.

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ArkanaClothing

Arkana Clothing on Facebook

Blackpin

This Scottish shop sells exquisite gothic Victorian riding hats, mourning hats, and steampunk hats.

My favorite hat here is the Lady Mathius.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Blackpin

Cold Heart Clothing

More a fashion label than a "shop," I'm listing this here anyway because I want you to see some of their cool dark and skull-themed clothing. Peek at their Facebook page for some examples of what they've been designing lately. Their website still is under construction and it's been a long time now, so I wonder what's up.

http://coldheartclothing.co.uk/

Cold Heart on Facebook

Ravensbreath

This artist has built up quite an impressive backstory around their nine creepy ghost dolls. They also make Haunted Ghost Jewelry. Their eBay store currently has no offerings, but you can contact them to make custom handmade ghost dolls for you.

http://www.ravensbreath.com/

Ravensbreath on Facebook

http://www.ghostdolls.com/

Skelemental

Raven Armoury's sculpture division. They're located in Essex, UK. There are decorative skulls, skeleton sculptures, and skull themed cutlery here.

http://skelemental.co.uk/

DARK WEBZINES:

Peek-A-Boo

This dark music magazine is printed out and given away for free to alternative and tattoo shops in Belgium. Meanwhile, the online website offers gothic music news, an events calendar, artist and label reviews, and photos. I'm really impressed! It's in English, too, by the way.

http://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/

Peek-A-Boo on Facebook

Peek-A-Boo on Twitter

HORROR GENRE:

Classic Movie Monsters

This specialty niche blog covers classic B movie and horror movie monsters. They don't write articles; they just post pictures. This is a blog that probably should be on Tumblr instead. They find really interesting images to share, including old monster movie magazine covers, model kits and old movie promo photos.

http://classicmoviemonsters.blogspot.com/

Deadpit Radio

Horror news podcasts. So far they have 14 podcast episodes available.

http://www.deadpit.com/

Deadpit Universe on Facebook

Haddonfield Horror

A horror news and review blog. Currently they're reviewing Byzantium and Stoker.

http://www.haddonfieldhorror.com/

Haddonfield Horror on Twitter

Horrormaniacs

A very active Facebook page that will keep you up with horror movie, convention and TV news. Join 60,000 other fans in Liking the page to receive daily updates.

https://www.facebook.com/HorrorManiacs1