Meet Leslie Benson | Singer-Songwriter, Mourning Candle & Event Planner, GOTHBATS

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leslie Benson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leslie, how do you think about risk?
Being a goth musician in the south – especially during this volatile political climate – is a risk, but the community is growing rapidly thanks to groups like GOTHBATS (for which I’m an event planner), local club and music promoters, and the fans that keep it alive (or shall I say “undead, undead”). I took a risk in 2013 and left the Midwest to move to Nashville and immerse myself in a city where people value songwriters and live music. I haven’t regretted it since.

Goth to me is not just an aesthetic. It’s a lifestyle that permeates everything I do. I started my career as a music journalist, published a Midwest goth ‘zine called Echo Immortalis from 2005-2007, and now I’m the lead vocalist and lyricist for a new Nashville-based darkwave band called Mourning Candle, which is inspired by gothic themes.

We released our debut single, “Never,” this year on Bandcamp, with more music available soon on all streaming services. The song explores the harrowing personal journey of surviving domestic abuse, transforming pain into healing. Writing and singing my truth is another risk, but I hope my honesty will help someone else feel less alone and feel empowered to leave a dangerous situation.

I spent many years working through my personal demons to let go of toxic people and intrusive thoughts. I’m now a part of a supportive creative community, I can freely write music with likeminded artists, and I can be myself with a life partner who is also my best friend. (We met and fell in love at a goth night!) The gratitude I feel keeps me going even through the darkest days.

I was once given the advice to never make an important decision based on fear, guilt, anger, or obligation. Instead, lean into what your instinct tells you when you’re at a crossroads in your life. Focus on the feeling you want to experience, believe it, and you will start to align the decisions you make to achieve that goal.

Risks are worth it when you decide to let go, stretch yourself for growth, accept change, and make the leap. Standing still never gets you anywhere.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since the world changed during the pandemic, I made an affirmation to myself to be more intentional about the people and projects on which I spend my time and energy. I’ve realized how crucial it is to pursue creative efforts such as my music and songwriting, as well as giving back to the community where it counts. That’s why making music and volunteering are important to me.

I had trouble making friends when I first moved to Nashville and wasn’t sure where I fit in, but the goth community has always been where I’ve found my people.

HOW I GOT INTO GOTH MUSIC

When I started listening to goth music at age 15 in Ohio, it was mostly bands like Bauhaus and Nosferatu. Back then, you could buy compilation CDs at Hot Topic. I picked up the Cleopatra Records Goth Box in 1996, and that was my introduction to a lot more of the music. My friends and I traded Switchblade Symphony’s “Serpentine Gallery” album in 1995, of which I now have a collector’s edition on vinyl.

I attended goth club nights in Ohio in the late ‘90s. There were no subgenres back then. Everything was lumped into goth/industrial. Dancing in the clubs and making lifelong friendships back then were some of my favorite memories. I’m trying to recreate that sense of community for others now through my music and volunteer efforts.

MAKING GOTH MUSIC

Goth to me is not just an aesthetic. It’s a lifestyle that permeates everything I do. I started my career as a music journalist, publishing a Midwest goth/industrial ‘zine called Echo Immortalis from 2005-2007. Transitioning from writing about music to writing music was a natural progression.

I just released the “Requiem” EP with the industrial band God in Rehab, on which I wrote the lyrics and vocals and performed on the recordings. The EP explores themes of disillusionment and desperation in a fractured society. It’s available on Spotify. California-based musician Nick McLaren (The Static Architect) of STATIC STUDIOS worked closely with us on providing additional production, mixing, mastering and remixes of the songs.

In addition, I’m now the lead vocalist and lyricist for darkwave band Mourning Candle, which is inspired by gothic themes. In 2024, I joined forces with my friend Anson Taylor, the lead guitarist, synth programmer and songwriter of the former symphonic black metal band, Vatican.

We met at a volunteer cleanup of the Nashville City Cemetery, hosted by GOTHBATS (Guild of Tennessee Humanitarians Bolstering Alternative Trending Subcultures), a women-led volunteer charitable organization (for which I am an event planner), which holds inclusive, community-building events for the goth and alternative subcultures.

We bonded over ghost stories, our passion for music and dark aesthetics. What better way to kick off a darkwave band?

As Mourning Candle, we released our debut single, “Never,” this year on Bandcamp, with more music available soon on all streaming services. The song explores the harrowing personal journey of surviving domestic abuse, transforming pain into healing.

I write and sing my truth in the hopes that my honesty will help someone else feel less alone and feel empowered to leave a dangerous situation.

I spent many years working through my personal demons to let go of toxic people and intrusive thoughts. I’m now a part of a supportive creative community, I can freely write music with likeminded artists, and I can be myself with my life partner, Aeryn Singletary, who is also my best friend. (We met and fell in love at a goth night!)

The gratitude I feel keeps me going even through the darkest days.

As Mourning Candle, we’re fortunate to be working with The Static Architect again on producing our music. We’ve also been collaborating on visuals and promotions with Ray Rose Photography and artist and graphic designer Little Lune, aka Angelica Maddox.

Ray is a visionary local photographer who, along with Jonathan Hibma of Dead Alive, have been very supportive of this project. Ray took our Mourning Candle press photos and is working with us on our first music video. Angelica is designing our spooky promo fliers, along with her partner Anson, whose metal-influenced artistry helped define our logo and art. And my partner, Aeryn, has been supporting me each step of the way as well – even becoming an integral in planning a script for our first music video.

I love how the arts and music communities come together to help each other out! It’s all about collaboration.

As a singer, I also collaborate with Rebekah Cole of RAC Books (recently featured in your publication) and perform in her shows, including a female-fronted alt-rock showcase in Nashville and the highly anticipated “Stay; Fest” at The Cobra on Sept. 13, 2025, benefiting Mental Health Initiative (MHI).

That will be my debut gig with my new darkwave band, Mourning Candle, with GOTHBATS serving as one of the event’s sponsors. We’ve been rehearsing for the show with our rhythm guitarist, Chessor, who has been Anson’s ride-or-die through this process.

I also sing and perform with E.Y.E. Productions, a group of musicians under the leadership of founder Jonn Nicholson, volunteering in tribute concerts to raise funds for MusiCares and the YWCA of Middle TN. To date, I have performed in the shows: Women to the Front II and III, Industrial Night V, The Return of the Halloween Ball, and the ‘80s tribute night, New Wave Order I and II, held at venues such as Mercy Lounge, Exit/In, and Eastside Bowl. Photographer Gabriel Camacho of Studio Luna has also been supportive of my creative projects, taking amazing shots of many of these events.

VOLUNTEERING WITH GOTHBATS:

As I mentioned previously, I’m an admin and event planner with GOTHBATS (Guild of Tennessee Humanitarians Bolstering Alternative Trending Subcultures), a women-led volunteer organization, which hosts inclusive, community-building events for the goth and alternative subcultures. Through events such as a clothing swap, a fashion show, an annual picnic, Nashville Pride volunteering, Nashville City Cemetery clean-up, our recent high tea outing, and other events, we raise awareness and funds for charitable causes that support the environment, the LGBTQ+ community, and other causes important to us.

I love that the GOTHBATS are helping build the community. We’re fostering friendships and deeper relationships with people, having real conversations and connecting with goths across different generations and backgrounds – all because of our shared love of goth fashion and music. (These days, some of my favorite bands are The Birthday Massacre (goth/synthpop) and VNV Nation (futurepop/EBM), who are both currently on tour with new albums.)

Our current admin team includes myself, Kat Gaume, Kat Watson, Laura Collins, Endora Gloom, and Rachel Morrell. The GOTHBATS (gothbats.org) were founded in October 2022 during our first Cemetery Goth Picnic. Most of our admins became friends through that event. Some of the charities we have donated to include Oasis Center, Hands on Nashville, Bridges, Larkspur, Victims First, and others.

As a happy belated International Bat Appreciation Day (held April 17), I want to thank all of my fellow GOTHBATS for their blood, sweat and tears over the last two years in planning and hosting all the events we’ve organized. I’m so grateful to be a part of this group!

I’d also like to give extra recognition to my friend and Nashville-based goth and alternative fashion designer, Pretty Grungy, aka “Krafty” Kat Gaume. She is a fellow admin and event planner with GOTHBATS. Kat headlined our 2024 GothBats Presents: Chroma – A Celebration of Gothic Fashion show, for which she designed and developed patterns, hand sewed, and constructed unique looks for local models.

A Nashville native who has been a supporter of the goth/alt music scenes since age 15, Kat’s passion for providing eye-catching looks became her career after college by becoming a freelancing fashion designer providing the same services for those who desire such eye-catching and unique pieces for themselves. She is a staple and a budding icon in the Nashville goth/alternative fashion scene. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram at @prettygrungy.

In addition to performing shows and volunteering with GOTHBATS, I support touring bands (like Vision Video and Aurelio Voltaire), and in between adulting, I support monthly local goth nightclub events by Fascination Street and She’s Lost Control. Without DJs and promoters like John “Ichabod” Anderson of FS and Taylor Dawson of SLC, the goth scene wouldn’t be growing as quickly as it is.

This year’s Fascination Street goth prom, for instance, filled the Eastside Bowl to capacity. Over 700 people, from Baby Bats to Goth Elders, all showed up dressed in their finest black attire.

Taking a stand to express ourselves openly and create an inclusive, safe space for LGBTQ+ people and others is a risk, but I believe in being yourself, unapologetically.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a goth music lover and a spooky kid, I highly recommend checking out any live music events or gothic/industrial events hosted by GOTHBATS, Fascination Street, She’s Lost Control, RAC Books, or E.Y.E. Productions. As for spooky hotspots, support small businesses like Hail: Dark Aesthetics and any of the Punk Rock Flea Markets featuring local goth/alt artisans or night markets. The main venues that hold goth events include The Cobra Nashville, The East Room, Eastside Bowl and Canvas Lounge. There’s so much more to Nashville than country music! Stay spooky, friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is to Nick McLaren (The Static Architect) of STATIC STUDIOS.

I’ve been friends with and worked closely with Nick for almost a decade now, collaborating on various music projects, including on albums and remixes by my former bands The Sweetest Condition (dark synthpop) and God in Rehab (industrial rock), as well as my current music project, Mourning Candle (darkwave/goth). He is an amazing music producer and has helped me with mixing and mastering my songs.

Foremost, though, he is an industrial glitch music artist who writes and releases his own music as The Static Architect. I love his songs for their originality and also because they pay homage in part to some of his music influences, Trent Reznor and Gary Numan.

He’s also now expanded into creating his own production company, STATIC STUDIOS. He’s a super interesting, personable, funny and a geeky sci-fi fan just like me. I’m so grateful to him for believing in my vision and supporting me through many creative endeavors.

The Static Architect – Links:
https://staticstudios.us/
https://staticarchitect.com/

Website: https://linktr.ee/mourningcandleband

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mourningcandle

Facebook: http://facebook.com/mourningcandleband

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeslieBenson

Other: PHOTO CREDITS:
Mourning Candle and God in Rehab Press Photos, 2024, by Ray Rose Photography
New Wave Order II, Eastside Bowl Photos, 3-2-24, by Gabriel Camacho
GOTHBATS photos, courtesy of GOTHBATS

LINKS:
Mourning Candle: https://linktr.ee/mourningcandleband
GOTHBATS: https://www.gothbats.org/
God in Rehab: https://www.instagram.com/godinrehab_band/
The Static Architect: https://staticarchitect.com/
STATIC STUDIOS: https://staticstudios.us/
E.Y.E. Productions: https://www.instagram.com/everythingyoueverproductions/
RAC Books: https://www.instagram.com/racbooksnashville/
MHI: https://www.mentalhealthinitiative.info/
Fascination Street: https://www.instagram.com/fascination_street_nashville
She’s Lost Control: https://www.instagram.com/slcnashville
Ray Rose Photography: https://www.instagram.com/raysin_brand/
Gabriel Camacho – Studio Luna Photography: https://www.instagram.com/hank.sinatra.13/

Image Credits
PHOTO CREDITS:
Mourning Candle press photos by Ray Rose Photography.
GOTHBATS photos, courtesy of GOTHBATS.
New Wave Order II, Eastside Bowl, 3-2-24, photos by Gabriel Camacho of Studio Luna.