Is goth music more accessible than fashion?

Q: Hi! I want to get more people into goth music, and I think it’s great that it is the most accessible (and biggest) pillar of the goth subculture. Do you have any insight into what makes it accessible?

A: Hello, friend! Keep in mind that when I answer this question I am speaking from a place of privilege and class status that not everyone has or is a part of themselves. In general, when I say goth music is the most accessible way to engage with the subculture, I am saying that you can listen to it freely on the internet. In my introduction to goth series, I was incredibly reductive… because otherwise, I would end up writing multiple novels! Goth music is the most important part of the goth subculture, as almost every goth will tell you, even though it is not the only important thing. As to whether goth music is the most accessible entity? For now, I still hold to that, but I am open to critique. I am not advocating for a replacement of music with fashion, because that is not what goth is at its core. I mean that I would be open to hearing how fashion- in some cases- is more accessible.

I was listening to a goth podcast a year or two ago (I can’t remember which one it was?! I’m thinking it was Dani Ashes from Cemetery Confessions?) where they were talking about this exact subject. One of the speakers mentioned that clothing could be more accessible if we are talking about what is most inviting to the goth subculture since everyone has access to clothes (not necessarily true). They said that music, in general, is always available (you can sing or tap sticks on something hard for a beat), but that goth music itself was not.

I still do not agree with the clothing argument, because 1. Not everyone has access to clothing, believe it or not. 2. In certain parts of the world, black fabrics worn as daily clothing are not readily available items for people to get in touch with for many reasons, and in some countries, black clothing is a sign of “higher class,” not as easily obtained by those who do not fit the criteria to be part of “high class” society. 3. Not everyone even has the resources to dye their clothing a certain color, even if the dye is “inexpensive” from a western perspective. Furthermore, many things we associate with “goth clothing” like lace, velvet, or leather are also not readily available… and that is assuming that someone has the means to snip and stitch even if they were. We would also need to be more clear about defining what “goth clothing” means… Is it just wearing black (I think most of us would say no.)? Does the person have to wear makeup as well? What about shoes…?  

To be fair, gothic clothing, which borrows from many styles and hybrids of styles, is not the only thing that struggles with a surefire definition. Goth music itself is often a contentious subject, even among goths. We have our “canon” bands and songs, but there is even a big debate on whether The Cure is goth or not (I think it depends on the album and song, but my mind can be changed lol)! I think we can all agree that Marilyn Manson and MCR aren’t goth, but when it gets into the nitty-gritty “within” goth sounds and aesthetics, there are many differing opinions. Whether goth music or dark fashion is more accessible to someone most likely varies across cultures and locations. It is also most likely somewhat dependent on ability since (iconic) long, drapey fabrics are not always wheelchair-safe, etc., or because not everyone can hear the music. Some people may read the lyrics and “feel the beat” to engage with the sound, for example.

Demanding that gothic clothing templates adhere to a strict definition while goth music is still somewhat subjective would be incredibly hypocritical. I also think that in some cases, the clothing is most likely more accessible for someone! Even if music is free on the internet, you still need access to the internet to listen to it. Or, if you have a CD or tape gifted to you, you still need the tools to listen to them. We can’t just assume that everyone is near a library or internet cafe. Those places are only “accessible” as “free” things through a certain classist lens. Even if you could “borrow from a friend,” we still have to make the assumption that your friend is also part of a class or circumstance that has the means to lend you a tape player, CD player, laptop, iPod, or a ride to a place with free internet if it isn’t feasible for you to get there on your own.

My big answer to this is to be anti-capitalist when you can and to start looking into the restrictions on “access” that are part of capitalist societies. Unfortunately, even if you do that work and adopt new opinions or ideas, it isn’t going to fix everything. I would say that when you gift someone an item or suggest a playlist or podcast to them, you also make sure that they can engage with that media or clothing. If not, do your best to facilitate it. Find out where need exists, and do your best to fill in the gaps. Also, being a “savior” or “donor” in a system in which we still benefit from other people’s oppression is a very messy area that we need to be looking at more. Accessibility is relative. I am just launching my perspective from what seems to be most “accessible” to the people around me. It may look different from person to person.

Thank you for the fantastic question!