Just talking about
Darkly: Black History and America’s Gothic Soul
by Leila Taylor
with Eiliyas
I never knew that seeing Gravediggaz lyrics printed in a book could elicit such unbridled excitement in an individual (*cough cough me).
I share her affinity for Siousxie as well as concerns and side eyes at certain things that fly under the radar for the usual fans of her’s. Like what it means for her to cover “Strange Fruit”, as I also have experienced certain fits of uneasiness with things I love, like reading italian futurist literature or certain books of Jodorowsky, etc. Reading Darkly is comforting in that it lets me know that someone else picked up on this subtle thing and if at the least I know that I’m not crazy for it. Unfortunately I’ve yet to completely explore this topic as eloquently as she has, but her work in Darkly is definitely an inspiration to do so.
Leila Taylor has bridged, no not bridged, shone a light on the pathways and gaps between musics, genre’s, their scene’s ideologies and the bridge connecting them in other parts of the world and their significance.
Carl B. once told me at a work summer party that I am a closet goth. After reading Darkly, I have to admit that it’s a reminder that he might be right.
Eiliyas is a Macon born, Atlanta bred, Berlin-based artist working with music, sound design, creative writing and conceptual art. He also is host and curator of Mixtape Menage, a platform for becoming familiar with cultural facilitators of the world through sound.
