Since I really need to have good music to be happy I've tried to find some artists/songs that somehow fit into the big Steampunk picture in my mind. 

From what I've read so far, Steampunk music is as well defined as Steampunk fashion - in other words, the rules are more like guidelines anyway, thus many genres may contribute to create the soundtrack for a productive day in the lab, or a dangerous journey to some mysterious caves in Southern Africa.

Here's a list of some of the artists that make my day, in autobiographical order:

The Dresden Dolls: Heard them play as support for the Nails and loved them from the beginning. They convinced me that Cabaret, and Dark Cabaret in particular, as a genre is just what I need to hear in 95% of all possible moods.

Amanda Palmer: The Dolls' frontwoman's solo project, and just as hot.

Voltaire: Mr. Voltaire produced a song, 'Stuck with you',  together with Amanda Palmer - that's how I found out about this project. Cabaret, too.

Vermillion Lies: Again via Amanda Palmer, two sisters, even more Cabaret.

Vernian Process: labelled Darkwave as well as classical -> yesss.

Unextraordinary Gentlemen: I think I found them at cdbaby.com. This is called post/steam/synthpunk, and I recommend listening to 5 Tales From God-Only-Knows, their first EP. Do it. Now.

Abney Park: I think everyone agrees on this band being Steampunk. Earlier genres included Industrial and Gothic rock which I don't mind either.

Coppelius: German band directly from the 19th century, playing Kammercore (they remind one of Apocalyptica).


On my watch list, amongst others:

• Rasputina
• The Clockwork Dolls
• The Clockwork Quartet (yes, yes, it's becoming hip and gears are flying in all directions. It's still good music)

And there is still more - so much to listen to, so little time!

1. Reply to this post and I'll assign you a letter.
2. List 5 songs that begin with that letter.
3. Post them to your journal with these instructions.

H

Amanda Palmer - Have to drive
The Dresden Dolls - Half Jack
Nine Inch Nails - Hurt
Haggard - Herr Mannelig
Eden weint im Grab - Heimwärts ins Licht

Some more because it's fun

Pain - Hate me
Goethes Erben - Himmelgrau
Dido - Here with me
The Smiths - How soon is now
Placebo - Hang on to your IQ

Gilles Chabenat&Edouard Papazian: Le traité des songes

Hurdy-gurdies mixed with the sounds of printing presses :)