PRO TIPS

MINOR TRAGEDIES

Though there are exceptions (especially from goth’s poppier outfits), darkwave music is predominantly concerned with melancholic subjects such as mortality, isolation, and loss. As such, minor keys are the order of the day (or, erm, night). Mystery and atmosphere are all-important, so don’t scrimp on the spooky (but never obvious) sound effects. Contrary to popular misconception, goths were rarely goofy or dumb. These were – and are – literate bands with a strong sense of style and taste (think Camus rather than camp and Murnau rather than The Munsters).

RESTRAINT

You’d be forgiven for assuming that gothic and darkwave musicians were/are musical attentionseekers. Quite the contrary. This music evolved from punk and new wave, with their philosophy of less-ismore. Metal or prog-style solos would be unacceptable. Emotion not ego rules the [dark] waves.