Acceptance within the scene

Reading back on my old posts and reflecting how I felt while writing, I remember feeling quite apprehensive about being a 'Younger Goth' and having just moved to a new city, Melbourne, after spending 12 or so years living out in a rural environment. I felt that I did not fit in to my school and had no like minded Goth friends who I could share my life and interests with. I would be lying if I said that my time spent on the internet didn't help to fill that void.

Anyway, fast forward back to now, after living in Melbourne for the second time (I was born here), for almost three years, I've certainly felt more comfortable being a Goth In Melbourne. I've been clubbing (five times only!), been to a picnic or two and spent much time in the local shops, immersing myself in the culture as much as I can and meeting new people. I've also became quite good friends with a fair few lovely ladies from the internet, and became 'internet friends' with many more, as well as had relationships developed with other Goths in person.

No longer do I avoid eye contact with older Goths or make stuttered conversation with anyone who strikes up a conversation. I used to feel that my personal style was secondary to the others who had access to the shops to develop their wardrobes for years while living in a city where there was lots of variety, while I barely could (and still cannot) afford clothes from op shops.
Now I have the confidence to dress up, dance and have a nice old time while out and not feel like I'm being judged for being myself. Men have asked for my phone numbers, and I've been photographed and complimented on my clothes and my makeup which has definately helped my confidence and sense of self identity. I feel like an adult now, despite being only 20 in 9 months, and I can be a mature adult while not sacrificing any part of me that helped to shape and develop my identity as a child and a younger teenager. I also feel that, mainly having spent time looking at pretty pictures on the internet and on others at clubs and events, my tastes in clothes have developed, matured and become more sophisticated. Now I put a lot of effort into my appearence while being out in public, and over time I feel that has paid off, despite my frequent masses of torn clothing, smudged makeup and matted hair.

I still feel very young, but feel so at home in my scene now. It's embarassing, but when I walk into a club I think to myself, subconsciously, 'Yay, I feel comfortable here.' and it's such a good feeling.

xxx Lilly

Absurdity in the Mundane

Something that has continued to facinate me for many years through my art and writing is the concept that something extrodinary can be found in the ordinary, or the everyday.
Whether this is visible, such as the living candelabra Lumiere from the Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Actually, the whole movie really is an example of this fantastic concept, where all of the objects are animated, lively and display human characteristics.
It can also be expressed on a more subtle level, where the extrodinary elements are not visible on the surface, such as the locket in Harry Potter. (No spoliers here! XD) Such objects appears to be commonplace, yet contain magical and enticing secrets. Another great Disney example is Aladdin, where I quote 'the diamond in the rough', is used quite liberally. It also happens to be my favourite. =D

I feel that this mentatlity really manifests in my clothing style and just general interest. I think that, even though a simple pendant necklace for example really is just a hunk of metal shaped into an object, and probably bought for $10 off a lovely Asian lady at a market, we can pretend that it was stolen off the neck of a wizard in the heat of battle three hundred years ago, or passed down from teacher to student through the study of pyromancy. I'm really just coming up with ideas here but the point is that anything really has the potential to have some sort of mystery or deeper meaning, wheter it actually does or not is beside the point!
Further more, like work of art or a song, each individual can bring their own interpretation to an article, wheter it be expressed or not, creating a whole web of stories for you to indulge in.
If anyone has taken a look over on my Tumblr where I post pictures, you'll see this idea a lot, as well as lots of other pretty pretty pictures here.


In my drawing I tend to draw objects such as lampshades, chairs and tea cups and render them using highlighters, markers and lots of contrasting black over fluroescent colour. Often they are paired with extra limbs, severed heads and other deliciously macarbe imagery such as weapons. I do have quite a black sense of delight through my drawings.
Other good examples that I can think of are Alice in Wonderland (Almost all renditions of this classic story are good), work by Tim Burton, The Addams Family, Mary Poppins, any LARP type game I believe, the Borrowers, and plenty more. I appologise for the significant amount of spooky examples; I can only provide examples that I have seen before. XD

 Please share your thoughts and any other examples. I would love to hear some feedback.

xxxx Lilly

Back to Blogging

Wow, I really have taken my sweet time lately. Since my last post, many months ago, I've bought a new laptop (way back in March) and completed my first semester of my degree and the University of Melbourne. Also, I've about three months ago, I once again became romantically involved and things are looking very lovely in that regard. My university work has been very draining and I've returned home each day almost completely exhausted. However, for the most part I've found it to be very engaging and interesting, and I think it really is something I can see myself doing as a career.
Now, I'm on holidays, and should be spending some time out of state and just generally 'not doing uni work'. By the way, writing while watching the Simpsons really is fantastic. XD

A few months ago, I also found one of my photos stolen and edited without my permission, so I'm going to be rather disinclined to post more personal photos. However, in leiu of posting proper blog posts, I've recently edited my Tumblr and have been posting pictures daily there. While there is no text, it is certainly a very personal blog of mine and I'd love people to look at it and give me some feedback. http://lillypeppermint.tumblr.com/


xxx Lilly

A rather hasty update

I'm suprised that I'm still getting hits on my blog, as my posts have almost ground to a hault. The reason, suprising, is that I'm fully commenced into my Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University. The amount of work is greater than at highschool, and there are different expectations regarding our learning that take some getting used too. I'm keeping my head above water at the least. Also, I've been getting more ill lately, and that, I believe, is due to the large amounts of stress due to change, and the wonderful Melbourne weather that we all love and predict. =/

I thought I'd share one of my current favourite songs, from the soon to be released film The Devil's Carnival. I only saw Repo! last weekend, but I've been looking forward to this film since I saw that snoozeathon of a teaser trailer. That footage isn't in the film, FYI, but this one is I assume. =)


While there's many things I like to fix in her voice, I love the atmosphere of this song and the relationship created between the charachers.

Oh and here's a cool little anecdote; Last week in concert class, a girl performed a Rachmaninoff concerto in C minor from memory with orchestral piano. She played for about 30 mins straight and even broke a string on the Steinway!!! It was so incredible.
Anyway, goodnight all, and please comment about what you'd like to see from this blog in the future. I'll make it happen!
xxx Lilly

University

Tomorrow, Orientation week is starting for me. I am actually terrified, because Melbourne Uni have ruined my timetable so nothing is being displayed properly. Of course I only worry about the unimportant things. =/
Anyway, I am about to start my Bachelor of Music. I am excited because hopefully this is the gateway into my career as a classical musician. As you know I've been studying music essentially full time since I was seven. While I've attended normal schools, my main focus throughout school has been to improve my ability as a musician. This has meant taking extra, out of school classes, preparing for exams, doing hours of practice each day (For the next 4 years I'm going to be doing 4 hours of practice a day!) and listening to as much music as I can. But, I do it because I love it. There really hasn't been anything like music in my life. Dance, art and writing all come close, but I havent put in the dedication, time and money in the same way as with my music.

Anyway, I probably should go and... do more practice. =/ That's my life from now on.

xxx Lilly

P.S Please, I know that you read my blog, so comment! I want to hear about what you have to say and what I should write about. I check my stats every day and reply to all comments. =D

Voltaire on Saturday night

I've already posted about the Voltaire show in Melbourne. That show has now been, and it was one of the best live, 1 person shows I have seen, and there have been many of those.
Voltaire is my favourite song writer, and my favourite 'non-classical' musician/ composer. (How very un-musical of me to say that... =P), so I may be a bit biased when I talk about the quality of the performance.
I saw the show with the Green Fairy from If I Only Were a Goth and Kitty Lovett from Bloggery of a Gothcat and her boyfriend, and saw many other friends there as well.
Despite the heat, (It was a cool summer day, so we had all rugged up a fair bit. The problem was the show was in a sunken part of the bar and the temperature was about 10* warmer, at least...) he was incredibly energetic, humorous and natural on stage.
I purchased three CDs beforehand, which was a good idea as one sold out in mere minutes afterwards, as well as a Deady 'Not Bootleg' toy. I got them signed, and that resulted in one being crotch-rubbed from the influence of a friend (I didn't complain, mind you XD). Apparantly, that CD needed to be buffed before writing...
Rouge Fonce opened the show. They're a Melbourne dark carabet gothic rock band. I wasn't too crazy about their music, but they played a few songs that I loved. They were also high energy, and I felt that they were a fitting, if not somewhat contrasting, beginning to the evening.

After the show, Voltaire stayed out in the bar for hours, signing CDs, having photos taken and talking to fans. He only disappeared for a few minutes to change clothes, which really is one of the reasons he is my favourite. Many rock stars avoid their fans and spend time after the show backstage, but Voltaire was interacting with his fans and generally making them feel more appreciated.
Of course, we asked for photos, and he obliged us all.

Photo by Kitty from Bloggery of a Gothcat

While in the photo I look rather uncomfortable, I am most certainly not. (Maybe freaking out slightly...) Just after the photo, he commented I 'smelt really good, like good enough to eat', which was followed by a rather awkward referenece to him being a creepy old man. I didn't exactly think it was creepy, but it was certainly unexpected. =)
I didn't want to tell him I was wearing a men's perfume at that point... XD

After some time of chatting to people and drinking (red wine in my case), we said goodbye. He hugged each of us, followed by some rather, ahem, interesting behaviour regarding Shaun and Steph (seperatly), and kissed on each of our cheeks. Then we left the venue. It was a fantastic night, and I encourage everyone who has the opporturninty to see him live. While his recordings are so good, Voltaire comes alive as a performer. Also, the person he is on stage and in recordings is the person he is off stage. There's no change or contrast to his personality or actions, which is so good to see.

xxx Lilly

Voltaire

Two days until Voltaire! I am one excited lady. I have seen Voltaire before, in 2010 in a shop called Peril Underground, Melbourne. It was a small, intimate thing with only about 10 people, but I had a good time, despite leaving school early off sick, nearly getting ran over by a car and being hit on by the barista. It was an off day, yet it has remained in my memory as a highlight. I was 1m away from him! And got a signed CD!
Hopefully Saturday will be filled with photos, many more CDs and a general good time.

xxx Lilly