Gothic Frequencies of the Bluegrass
This issue of The Phantom Press shines a light onto the shadows of Louisville’s gothic underground, tracing its frequencies through decades of music, art, and community. Centered around an interview with Shahn (Motuvius Rex), a musician, performer, and longtime figure in the scene, this conversation explores the birth and evolution of Radio Arcane, Louisville’s gothic radio station, promotions collective, and cultural hub.
What began as a spark in the 1980s and 90s with venues like Sparks, Discovery, and MSL shaping inclusive spaces for queer and alternative folks, evolved into a multi-decade movement. Radio Arcane now lives as part of Art Sanctuary, a nonprofit artist collective, but its roots are deeply tied to the community that built it: DJs, archivists like Matt Kokas, and musicians who kept the music alive.
Shahn shares how Louisville’s goth scene stands apart (friendly, community-centered, and fluid) while still facing the challenges of a mid-sized market. He reflects on the spiritual and feminine energy of gothic culture, its intersections queer spaces, and how the movement has grown.
Whether you’re a lifelong student of esotericism, a casual listener of gothic music, or someone looking to nurture an alternative scene in your own rural pocket of the South, this conversation is a reminder that goth has always been about connection—through sound, beauty, and the quiet rebellion of being yourself.
“Goth doesn’t influence Appalachia as much as Appalachia influences our goth,” Shahn says, nodding to the haunting folk threads that weave through his own music as Motuvius Rex and working with Kentucky Vampires.
This issue is a love letter to the gothic frequencies of the Bluegrass and all the goths that call this state home.
And if you haven’t yet experienced gothic sounds, feel free to tune into Radio Arcane. Or listen to the song Motuvius Rex dedicated to readers - Decay is a Wonderful Smith - Motuvius Rex
Want to connect with The Phantom Press or be featured in an upcoming issue?
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““Just do your own thing and see what happens. Find the common interest, and community will follow.””
