Gothic Western

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

Contents

History

Sinister Seymour in 1973 SinisterSeymour1973.jpg
Sinister Seymour in 1973

The post-war consciousness between 1940 and 1950 left consumers wanting less monster-related horror in favor of dark storytelling connected with reality. In other words, the monster, subject to relativism, survives in the shadows of the idealized American Dream. [1] Westerns were at their peak of popularity, but with the increase of technology, modernization and social changes, not without artistic commentary. An amalgamation of the two genres befitting this reflection was imminent. In 1971, Johnny Cash introduced the "Man in Black", [2] stating:

"I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, but is there because he's a victim of the times." [3]

Larry Vincent, a horror host named Sinister Seymour, established Knott's Halloween Haunt in 1973, one of the first Halloween related events on a large scale, blending gothic and Western aesthetics at Calico ghost town, and providing a first venue for the growing subculture. [4]

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. The young adult series, The Goodbye Family by Lorin Morgan-Richards, has been considered gothic Western with an element of humor. [8]

Music

Fields of the Nephilim Fields of the Nephilim.jpg
Fields of the Nephilim

The mixture of goth and Western music has brooding and dark motifs interwoven into cowboy culture while incorporating themes of death, occult and superstition. [9] Crossover elements are seen in gothic country, but are unique to experiences of the American frontier, including Northern Mexico. The music encompasses storytelling and the cultural diversity of instrumentation associated with the American frontier. [10] The spaghetti Western sound of Ennio Morricone is influential to the genre. [11] Pioneers of the genre include Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, and Fields of the Nephilim. [12]

Film and television

Curse of the Undead is the oldest example of a gothic Western film. Filmmaker John Carpenter spoke of the unique quality of the genre, noting it is not the same as a Western horror. [13] In television, Penny Dreadful season three is considered an example of gothic Western, with vampires invading the West. [14] At the box office, The Power of the Dog [15] and True History of the Kelly Gang [16] have also been referenced as being gothic Westerns.

Gaming

Several games have been promoted as gothic Western, including Darkwatch , West of Dead, Hunt: Showdown , and Evil West .

Fashion

Gothic Western fashion is a mix of Western wear with goth or Victorian era mourning attire, incorporating black and leather elements. [17]

Related Research Articles

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Ennio Morricone was an Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, trumpeter, and pianist who wrote music in a wide range of styles. With more than 400 scores for cinema and television, as well as more than 100 classical works, Morricone is widely considered one of the most prolific and greatest film composers of all time. He has received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Golden Globes, six BAFTAs, ten David di Donatello, eleven Nastro d'Argento, two European Film Awards, the Golden Lion Honorary Award, and the Polar Music Prize in 2010.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban Gothic</span> Subgenre of Gothic fiction, film horror and television

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References

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  15. "Review: 'The Power of the Dog' is a sublime gothic Western". Associated Press . 17 November 2021.
  16. "Review: TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG is a Play on the Mythicism of Legends". 20 April 2020.
  17. "Gothic Western Fashion Part I – Cowgirl Goth". Gothic Americana. August 10, 2019. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.