RDIO PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK: Liisa Ladouceur, author of Encyclopedia Gothica
by Sam Sutherland
November 29, 2011
If you have even a passing interest in metal, punk, goth, or horror, you’re probably familiar with Liisa Ladouceur. And if you are peripherally aware of stuff like music and film in Canada, you’ve read or watched her work, even if you haven’t realized it. Writer and researcher for Banger Films’ metal epics Global Metal and Iron Maiden: Flight 666, contributor to Rue Morgue, the National Post, and CBC’s Definitely Not the Opera, former host of Much More Music’s Listed and AUX’s own City Sonic, along with a mid 90s stint as the Editor of Chart, it’s clear that Ladouceur has her Canuck cultural bonafides down pat.
Encyclopedia Gothica is Ladouceur’s latest work, a comprehensive guide to that tricky to pin down subculture, Goth. Published by ECW Press, the 600 entry-plus tome is a defining look at everything from Bauhaus to Hot Topic, a loving ode to a culture Ladouceur is clearly a part of, without being alienating to non-Goth readers. It’s smart and informative, but also funny, able to deal with the goofier aspects of the gloomy stuff with humour and, equally, without condescension. It’s a valuable resource, and boasts incredible illustrations by Gary Pullin, so it’s as nice to look at as it is to read. Although it’s probably safe to assume you can do both simultaneously.
For her Rdio playlist, Ladouceur decided to celebrate “Goth Girls,” from Siouxsie Sioux to Dead Can Dance’s Lisa Gerrard. Join in the gothic celebrations, and pick up a copy of of Ecyclopedia Gothica for all the context you could ask for.
