Witch House Music Genre Study Notes

Witch house is a unique music genre influenced by
- Rock music
- Themes of the occult and associated visual imagery from pop culture
Emergence
- Originated in the 1990s
- Continued evolving into the early 2010s

Artwork and Photography
  - Characterized by horror and occult themes
  - Visual elements include:
    - Witchcraft
    - Terror
    - Dark aesthetics
Cultural References
  - Influences from:
    - The Blair Witch Project (1999)
    - Twin Peaks (1990)
    - Charmed (1998)

General Sound
  - May initially resemble electronic dance music (EDM) or house music
  - Common tempo for witch house:
    - Ranges from moderately slow to moderate
Instrumentation
  - Includes:
    - Various electronic effects
    - Drum machines, particularly the TR-808
    - Vocals, often treated as an instrument rather than a lead feature
Vocals
  - Vocals are not dominant but serve an instrumental purpose
  - Characteristics of vocal usage:
    - Tonal layering to enrich the soundscape
    - Application of reverb and sound effects
Example Song
- "King Knight" by Salem (2010) serves as a notable example of the genre

Distinct Themes
- The genre commonly features three distinct melodic themes presented by vocal performances

Witch house, with its combination of occult imagery and unique musical style, creates a distinctive auditory experience that challenges traditional definitions of genre, emphasizing atmosphere over commercial vocal performance principles.