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 with 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.

This issue is a love letter to all the goths that call this state home.

Motuvius Rex shares this track with readers of this issue —

Want more? Tune into my Listening To page!