Gothic Country Music- Dark, folky, a really great sound.

Hello out there! So glad you stopped in to check out some great music. I'd be curious to hear if you are familiar with the Gothic country sound- apart from DeVotchKa, these bands are not too widely known.

Gothic Country originated in Denver, CO. I worked with one of the girls who played violin with this first band I'll post- Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots. My friend and the other fiddler for this band also played Swedish folk for weddings, etc. They were just wonderful to listen to.
Jay Munly is a musical genius and very eccentric- he has played with several bands since, but (this is my opinion) none had the total atmosphere that this one had. There was another girl who played cello- all the girls were lovely and had a great stage presence. Great costume, talented musicians and an original sound.

Take a listen- I think you might like it!


Here's a clip of them live.. the sound is poor, same with the vid quality, and a small stage, but you can get a glimpse of the band here:



Other Gothic Country bands include (more Munly with Slim Cessna's Auto Club):


16 Horsepower:


And, of course, DeVotchKa:



So what do you think? Anything strike a chord with you?

Happy Monday!

a reply to: zosimov
Good stuff! 16 Horsepower blew me away!
They owe it all to Dock Boggs :-)

Not sure if this counts, but I like Pine Box Boys.



Here's one from Jay Munly.

Alt country has been around awhile. I'm a big fan of Hank III, and Lydia Loveless and now the Harlots!

I play bass fiddle with a couple of punkabilly turned alt country pedel steel geeks.

Awesome. Thanks to all who stopped in and for the added info on the genre

Glad you liked it! Now I off to listen to a the vids you guys posted, thanks.

a reply to: olaru12

Sounds real fun!

I really liked all the songs posted.. thanks again!!!

a reply to: zosimov

Another guy pushing the limits of country....

a reply to: olaru12

She cooks. Thanks for the new (to me) artist.

a reply to: calwoodbutcher

I'll second that. She's incredible. What a voice!

a reply to: zosimov

Never heard it called Gothic Country. That band may have coined that phrase, but this has been around for many many decades. # man, this is what Johnny Cash was. My friends put on a music festival in New York called Old Tone Music Festival. Some of the bands they pull in would fit in this genre. There are also a good number of bands of this sort around the Appalachians. Southeast Ohio, Western NC and VA, northern Kentucky. Good stuff. Thanks for the great videos!

originally posted by: KEACHI
a reply to: zosimov

Never heard it called Gothic Country. That band may have coined that phrase, but this has been around for many many decades. # man, this is what Johnny Cash was. My friends put on a music festival in New York called Old Tone Music Festival. Some of the bands they pull in would fit in this genre. There are also a good number of bands of this sort around the Appalachians. Southeast Ohio, Western NC and VA, northern Kentucky. Good stuff. Thanks for the great videos!

Hey there.. thanks for joining the conversation!
I found this, and a few similar descriptions on google:

Gothic country, also known as Gothic americana, is a subgenre of alternative country, characterized by dark, "gothic" sound and lyrics dealing with themes common for so-called "southern gothic" literature. Denver musician David Eugene Edwards (16 Horsepower, Woven Hand) is often referred to as the founder of gothic country movement, though such artists as Nick Cave and his band The Birthday Party, also inspired by roots music and dark Faulkner-ish themes, can be described as its predecessors. Other notable artists include Tarantella, Slim Sessna's Auto Club, Jay Munly etc.; most of them are also originating from Denver.

Perhaps it is indeed a thing of its own.. so many sub-genres could make one's head spin.

I'd classify it as good music.

Do your friends still run the festival or was it a one time thing? Sounds like a lot of fun!

The Cowmen have got This vibe going on



I really really love this song by Lord Huron it just plays in my head

"I have seen what the darkness does
(Say goodbye to who I was)
I ain't never been away so long
(Don't look back, them days are gone)
Follow me into the endless night
(I can bring your fears to life)
Show me yours and I'll show you mine
(Meet me in the woods tonight)"


Here is long Dark Country Mix

a reply to: SolAquarius

Thanks for posting! That Lord Huron song is really incredible, I agree.

Nice! The first link made me think of Queensryche's Silent Lucidity

love 16 horsepower!

Thanks for all the examples of other bands like them, I'll check them out later!

a reply to: Butterfinger

Glad you liked it! Queensryche is so great, btw

a reply to: homeskillet

Great, let me know what you think!

One more to enjoy


Thanks again to everyone who posted great music/comments!

a reply to: trollz

Hey, like the songs you shared.. and that is a great Munly.