Gothic Western

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Fields of the Nephilim

Gothic western (sometimes referred to as western gothic and gothic prairie) is a subculture that blends goth and western lifestyles that are notably visible in fashion, music, film and literature.

Music[]

The mixture of goth and western music has brooding and dark motifs interwoven into cowboy culture while incorporating themes of death, occult and superstition.[1] Crossover elements are seen in gothic country, but are unique to experiences of the American frontier including western Mexico. The music encompasses storytelling and the cultural diversity of instrumentation associated with the American frontier.[2] The spaghetti western sound of Ennio Morricone is influential to the genre.[3] Pioneers of the genre include Johnny Cash (the man in black), Jim Morrison, and groups like Fields of Nephilim[4] and Heathen Apostles.

Literature[]

In literature,[5] the stereotype of the heroic cowboy gives way to a more complex antihero who has experienced trauma or is overcoming personal tragedy, and often associated to the darker side of weird west monsters and villainy.[6] The novel The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western by Richard Brautigan was one of the first to incorporate the term in its title,[7] while Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy and The Dark Tower by Stephen King are also popular examples of the genre. In the young adult series, The Goodbye Family by Lorin Morgan-Richards has been considered gothic western with an element of humor.[8] Depending on the level of violence and brutality, the genre can sometimes show an aesthetic connection to the splatterpunk genre as well, in the case of Wraiths of the Broken Land or Bone Tomahawk, both by S. Craig Zahler.

Film and television[]

In television, Penny Dreadful season three is considered an example of gothic western with vampires invading the west.[9] John Carpenter, who co-wrote the gothic western El Diablo, speaks of the unique quality of the genre, noting it is not the same as a western horror.[10]

Gaming[]

Several games have been promoted as gothic western, including Darkwatch and West of Dead.[11]

Fashion[]

Gothic western fashion is a mix of western wear with goth or Victorian era mourning attire, incorporating black and leather elements.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Welcome to the Gothic Western Collective Website". January 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "10 essential gothic western albums". Gothic country.
  3. ^ "Ennio Morricone obituary: 1928–2020". NME. July 6, 2020.
  4. ^ "The Beautiful Men of Goth and Post-Punk". March 31, 2018.
  5. ^ Hoppenstand, Gary; Browne, Ray Broadus (July 31, 1987). The Gothic World of Stephen King: Landscape of Nightmares. Popular Press. ISBN 9780879724115 – via Google Books.
    - Kollin, Susan (September 1, 2000). "Race, Labor, and the Gothic Western: Dispelling Frontier Myths in Dorothy Scarborough's The Wind". MFS Modern Fiction Studies. 46 (3): 675–694. doi:10.1353/mfs.2000.0053. S2CID 162272027 – via Project MUSE.
  6. ^ "The Cowboy and Vampire Collection". Cowboy and Vampire. 16 June 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
    - "Western Gothic – The Gothic Network". Google.
    - "10 Western Books Too Twisted To Be Made Into Films". ScreenRant. January 17, 2020.
    - Sharf, Zack (May 19, 2020). "Yorgos Lanthimos Set for 'Favourite' Reunion with New Gothic Western Monster Movie". Indiewire.
  7. ^ "'The Hawkline Monster' Will Be a Gothic Western from 'The Favourite' Director Yorgos Lanthimos". /Film. December 17, 2019.
  8. ^ "Author Interview with Lorin Morgan-Richards". June 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Sarner, Lauren. "Penny Dreadful' Premiers Season 3 as a Gothic Western". Inverse.
  10. ^ Taylor, Drew (September 5, 2011). "John Carpenter Wants Amy Adams To Star In His "Gothic Western" (In His Dreams)". Indiewire.
  11. ^ "West of Dead PS4 Review".
  12. ^ "Gothic Western Fashion Part I – Cowgirl Goth". Gothic Americana. August 10, 2019.
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