Holy everything that is holy.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Producing 'The Sandman,' May Star and Direct

OMG.

I can totally get behind JGL starring, though both Trevor and I think my boyfriend would make an even more excellent Dream.

Now, how do we cast the rest of The Endless?

Tilda Swinton as Desire. TRUST.
Bearded Eric Northman as Destruction?
Carey Mulligan as Delirium?

??????????????

Redeemed!

Sunn O))), front row and center at The Independent, San Francisco, 8.9.2009





















































Epic.

For more (and okay, non-iPhone and just better) photos, check out Trevor's pics taken from the same vantage point but with a fancy-schmancy camera here.

Russian Goths Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering and Eating Teenagers in Satanic Ritual

Equally disturbing to me, however:

In June, the State Duma held a hearing on proposed legal amendments that would regulate emo websites and prevent goth-inclined teenagers from entering schools and government buildings.

What? On what grounds?

As a former goth kid -- "rehabilitated" as it were into a color-wearing, sensible shoe wearing, generally makeup-less citizen -- I thank my stars this was my path into young adulthood. Sure, there's an obsession with doom and gloom, but plenty of well-adjusted kids embrace goth culture. I loved it because the nature of "goth" means an interest in the macabre, the other, and questioning the status quo. So hand in hand with that doom and gloom came awareness and discussion of literature (gothic and otherwise), environmentalism, politics, religion, you name it -- the likes of which some people don't get exposed to until college, if ever.

So in light of recent conversations I've been having with folks about the Salem Witch Trials, I just have to ask: don't we ever learn a damn thing?

Go right now to the March 2008 issue of Arthur and read this fantastic interview (scroll to page 34) with Diamanda Galás.





















I remember the first time I heard Diamanda Galás. I was in high school. I fancied myself as dark and artsy, political and tough, intellectual and fearless. But with my first listen to this powerful woman, I was scared shitless! She was, and continues to be, such an inspiration, and a force. So true, so visceral yet metaphysical, and so FIERCE.

Johnette Napolitano, of Concrete Blonde fame, is currently touring, with one of my favorite folk, David J, as opening act. Check out her MySpace for samples of some fresh and always haunting vocalizations, as well as tourdates in your neck of North America, and see here for a small article in the San Francisco Chronicle on David J, heralding the Cafe du Nord show tomorrow.

Got all nostalgic when I was surfing Gootube for some footage of recent shows and found this, her current take on the Concrete Blonde classic, 'Joey,' from the 1990 release Bloodletting. Her voice still gives me goosebumps.



Here's the original video for 'Joey,' which not only got me hooked on Concrete Blonde and red velvet and powdering my face with baby powder, but also (surprise!) well on my way to high school goth-lite. Work those crimpers, Johnette!