This year, Mather made the decision to hone her craft more fully as a writer. With that in mind, she has joined Substack with the intent to begin writing more long-form pieces on the creative process as well as points of personal inspiration for her.

In her own words via her announcement on Instagram: “Maybe on a more universal level, I can say this: I’m going to be talking about things that inspire me. You know, whether it’s people that inspire me…whether it’s books that inspire me…whether it’s animal magic, astrology, personal style, some sort of media that I took in, some other creator doing their thing. But I think the main goal is, I’m really going to try to tap into what is inspiring me then and there, in that moment.”

View the full Instagram announcement here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVZFyH-kg4D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

You can read her first article on Olympic gold medalist and cultural phenomenon Alysa Liu here:

https://matherlouth.substack.com/p/the-sacred-gift-of-rest

Heathen Apostles London: Fourth Time, New Territory – In London on July 1st, the Heathen Apostles make their fourth descent upon the city, and this time the stage is somewhere that suits them as well as a well-worn black suit — Paper Dress Vintage, 352a Mare Street, Hackney.

If you’ve never been, Paper Dress is the kind of place that shouldn’t exist but absolutely does: a treasure trove of hand-sourced vintage clothing from the 1900s to the 1980s by day, and by night a two-level live music venue and bar with craft beers, cocktails, and a backyard open to the dark East London sky. Part thrift store séance, part neighborhood haunt — history on the racks and music in the walls.

Last year saw the Heathen Apostles opening for the legendary Fields of the Nephilim at the O2 Forum Kentish Town — gothic rock royalty and a night soaked in fog and riffs. July 1st is something different; intimate and up close. A room where the music nails you in the chest and Mather Louth’s murder ballads find nowhere to hide.

Opening the night are The Red Barn — a band whose pedigree runs deep through the veins of British avant-garde music. With members drawn from Miranda Sex Garden and the Puppini Sisters, expect something dark, lush, and utterly unlike what came before.

Vintage threads on the racks, bloodgrass in the air, it’ll be a night that won’t sit quietly. London, July 1st. Come dressed accordingly.

GET TICKETS HERE

The Heathen Apostles have just been announced for the latest edition of the Rebellion Festival 2026 taking place, as always, at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, UK. After playing the Almost Acoustic stage last year, the band will be performing on the Opera House stage this year. It’s taking place 6 – 9 August, as most of you know the band’s performance dates and set times will be announced at a later date, meanwhile you can get your tickets HERE.

From the Rebellion PR: Put simply, Rebellion is the biggest independently run Punk Festival in the UK. Set in the historic Blackpool Winter Gardens, the festival offers over 300 live acts spread across 6 stages, including an ‘introducing’ stage for new acts, alongside a literary festival, a marketplace where you can buy clothing, band merch, records/CDs, handmade goods/artwork and much, much more. It is a great opportunity to meet friends old and new from across the world, have a drink in the numerous bars and enjoy the delights that one of Britain’s top tourist destinations has to offer.

Rebellion is an indoor festival held in the wonderful WINTER GARDENS in the seaside town of Blackpool. Lots of venues, cafes, bars under one roof – no need to worry about umbrellas or the great British weather affecting the festival!! Walk-up ticketing depend on whether or not tickets are sold out, which will be advertised via our Social Media sites. If there are tickets available, these can be purchased from the Box Office (details above), where you will be given a wristband when you buy your ticket and allowed straight into the venue.

As the Heathen Apostles are starting to put together their tours for 2026, the first tour announcement is for the Blackpool Boneyard Weekender, taking place 3rd July thru the 5th (we are playing Saturday the 4th) at the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool, UK. It is a gothic rock festival (but also covers many genres of music) by Ratty Wilson. Get your tickets at the link below, and we’ll be announcing an August ’26 festival date shortly.
GET TICKETS HERE.

From the Blackpool Boneyard Weekender website:

“In 2023, former member of Alien Sex Fiend, Andrew ‘Ratty’ Wilson came up with the genius idea of arranging a music festival… The Blackpool Boneyard Weekender at the iconic Waterloo Music Bar is a captivating celebration of goth, rockabilly, industrial, and horror punk, bringing together like-minded souls for a weekend of unforgettable music and showmanship. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of bands delivering high-energy performances, offering something for everyone. In addition to the incredible music, the Boneyard Weekender showcases amazing talent in the artists and traders area. The festival fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among those who share a passion for alternative music and art. It’s like The Cramps meets Alien Sex Fiend, and everything in between.

Absolutely delighted to announce a very special act for next year’s Blackpool Boneyard Weekender. ALIEN EX FIEND!!!
After 14 years doing my show with Vince Ripper and Dr Diablo and having a brilliant time  and creating amazing memories with them both, I’ve decided to do a one off show with a live band which will be Sunday’s headline act. Performing Alien Sex Fiend songs you’ve never heard live, all the classics, also show stuff and some surprises. This will be an homage to them and being a Fiend all my life.. Once a Fiend.. always a FIEND!!”

On a night meant for remembering those who have passed, where the feel of spaghetti westerns mixes with a touch of blood and darkness, we really couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the spooky season on a cold evening at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, London. When the clock struck 19:30, Heathen Apostles showed up with their stunning hats, bringing their unique sound to the UK. I had never seen the Los Angeles-based foursome before, and I was speechless afterward. Their set was brief but impactful, blending dark country vibes with some moody gothic elements.

It really opened my eyes, as someone who isn’t too familiar with the genre, to the idea that music and taste can’t be boxed into just one label. “Be Careful What You Pray For” and “Red Brick Dust” had me and the London crowd wanting more. Their unique storytelling and moody instrumentation were just so captivating. I had no idea I could enjoy bluegrass, or should I say bloodgrass? It’s pretty cool how much rhythm there is, even without a drummer around.

With the violin and contrabass, plus some catchy guitar riffs from the well-known Chopper Franklin (who’s played guitar and bass for The Cramps, the Mau Maus, and more), Mather Louth’s voice and stage presence really take the audience to a rich, dust-bowl vibe, making it feel like they’ve walked right out of a “Weird West” or Southern Gothic horror film.

Author Sabrina Schiavinato. Photo: Peterson Marti.
Read the entire review at Chaoszine HERE.

The O2 Institute in Birmingham was cloaked in darkness and anticipation on October 25th as Fields of the Nephilim kicked off the first night of their six-date UK run celebrating an incredible 40 years of gothic majesty. The lineup promised a night steeped in atmosphere and history, with Balaam & The Angel and the Heathen Apostles setting the stage for the legendary headliners. Opening the evening were Heathen Apostles, bringing their distinctive blend of Gothic Americana to the Midlands. For myself, this was the first opportunity to see the Los Angeles-based outfit live and they did not disappoint. Their seven-song set was short but potent, weaving dark country influences with brooding gothic undertones. “Be Careful What You Pray For” and “Red Brick Dust” drew the crowd in with their haunting storytelling and moody instrumentation. By the time they closed with “The Reckoning,” the Apostles had made a clear impression, proving that their unique brand of shadowy Americana translates powerfully onstage.

Set-list:
Deaths Head
Paint The Stars
Careful What You Pray For
Shadow Of The Crows
Red Brick Dust
Two For The Road
The Reckoning

Then, as the lights dimmed and the familiar haze of smoke began to roll across the stage, it was time for Fields of the Nephilim. True to form, the band emerged as spectral silhouettes through a dense fog, instantly transforming the venue into a cathedral of shadow and sound. Opening with “Intro (The Harmonica Man)”, the atmosphere was nothing short of ritualistic, the perfect invocation for what was to come.

Over the course of a 12-song set, Carl McCoy and company guided the audience through a journey that spanned decades of their mystic, desert-drenched mythology. Highlights included “Love Under Will” a stunning back-to-back pairing of “Dawnrazor”, and “Moonchild”, each one met with roars of recognition from the devoted crowd. “At the Gates of Silent Memory” offered a slower, more introspective moment, drenched in melancholic grandeur, before the band closed the main set with the thunderous “Psychonaut.”

But the night wasn’t over yet. As the smoke settled momentarily, the band returned for a well-deserved encore, launching into “Last Exit for the Lost” to near end a night steeped in mystery, nostalgia, and raw power. McCoy’s commanding presence, the band’s unwavering precision, and the hypnotic visuals created an experience that felt almost otherworldly.

Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell

Review and photos by markosgigarchive, visit for full review: Blimey little did I know this was going to be an ace night given I’d never heard of the support acts or indeed Ray Coen – but being an ardent Waterboys fan and a lover of the Irish fiddle Steve Wickham was a no brainer. It ended up as a weird and wonderful surprise plus I’ve no got 2 new bands to check out. Quick summary: Sarah Vista are a mix between a Mexican mariachi band and an Ennio Morricone spaghetti western soundtrack. Heathen Apostles at the 100 Club were Tennessee bluegrass with a gothic country twist aptly named ‘bloodgrass’ by their singer.

The Heathen Apostles definitely have a dark western image – hat, hair styles, beards/sideburns – it could easily be 1873 in Tennessee.  To me they looked like a cross between Jason and the Scorchers and Aimish undertakers, and the attractive lead singer was the antithesis of Stevie Nicks..  So after  a bit of investigation it turns out Chopper was with the Cramps for a while – great education .

The band are: Mather Louth (vocals/guitar/ bodhrán); Chopper Franklin (guitar/mandolin);  Thomas Lorioux (Upright Bass), Luis Mascaro (violin).

Being a small gig the band have to do their own humping – thankfully they don’t have much gear.  Dressed all in black and wearing hats they looked mean and ready to kick ass.  Mather, dressed like the wicked witch of the west, immediately commands attention and her screeching eerie voice blends perfectly with the dark nature of many of their songs, even the up tempo ones.

Obviously I don’t know any of the songs but did manage to video them in action singing Death’s Head a rather wonderful tune. There was plenty gothic foot stomping rhythms that would go down well at any hoedown!  I really enjoyed there set and will check them out for future gigs.

The “fuck Trump” comment was unnecessary – there are way too many people need fucking!

PS – Alex Cox, the director, is using the band’s ‘Careful What You Pray For’ in his upcoming ‘Dead Souls’ film.

The Heathen Apostles will be joining the Fields of the Nephilim tour for three dates, which is in addition to being on the bill with them for the Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival on Halloween night. The appearances land in the middle of our fall UK tour which starts on 22^nd October and runs to 8^th November. Here is the tour’s press release:

Fields Of The Nephilim rise again, stepping into the light next month for five very special shows, including a Halloween headline performance at the sold-out Tomorrow’s Ghost festival in Whitby and culminating in London on Nov 1^st, to celebrate Samhain. It’s time for Fields of the Nephilim live 2025!

Featuring music and moments from throughout Fields Of The Nephilim’s storied existence, these five performances serve to reanimate the past and generate the next chapter for both the band and their faithful followers.

Carl McCoy reflects, “It’s been 40 years since we released ‘Burning The Fields’ in 1985, our first 12” vinyl EP. 

In the early 80s we performed at many clubs, venues and any stage that would have us. We had no record deal, no distribution, but we managed to scrape together enough dosh to enable us to record four songs in a small studio, which was XXX Studios in Acton, London, and then released the EP under our own Tower Release label.

We only had 500 pressed, and I remember the cover and centre labels were all folded and glued by the band members. If you happen to have one of these official original release versions, your cover and labels have probably come apart or decomposed by now.

We are not planning on performing or releasing an anniversary version of this; I think we will lay this one to rest. Those fields have been burnt.

The shows this autumn are more about commemorating my four decades of Fields Of The Nephilim. A perfect reason to celebrate this season in 2025.”

Fields Of The Nephilim will be joined by alternative heroes Balaam And The Angel and Claytown Troupe as well as acclaimed Gothic Americana band Heathen Apostles.

from GothicWestern.com

FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM 2025 HEADLINE SHOWS

Oct 25^th – BIRMINGHAM, Institute
(w/ Balaam & The Angel + Heathen Apostles)

Oct 26^th – MANCHESTER, O2 Ritz
(w/ Claytown Troupe + Heathen Apostles)

Oct 31^st – WHITBY, Tomorrows Ghosts Festival [SOLD OUT]
(w/ Clan of Xymox + Pink Turns Blue + Heathen Apostles)

Nov 1^st – LONDON, O2 Forum, Kentish Town
(w/ Claytown Troupe + Heathen Apostles)

Final remaining tickets are available HERE.

Heathen Apostles – Reading Facebar – 16 July 2025 – It’s a welcome return to the Facebar for LA’s seminal gothic americana band, Heathen Apostles. This is their third appearance at the venue in as many years and they continue to win more followers each visit.

Looking like the meanest bunch of ne’er-do-well gunslinging musicians to walk out of a Sergio Leone film, Heathen Apostles take to the stage to wow the audience with their gothic americana. Former Cramps man, Chopper Franklin on guitar/mandolin is augmented by Luis Mascaro’s fiddle and Thomas Lorioux on upright bass to creating a soundtrack that wouldn’t sound out of place in a decadent saloon in ‘Deadwood’. Singer and guitarist, Mather Louth brings a dark alluring glamour to the lineup with a vocal style that is infused with the emotiveness of Patsy Cline and Nick Cave’s old-testament preacher.

Opening with the fiddle dominated ‘Paint the Stars’, the band start a career spanning set that includes numerous murder ballads, up to date political comment and a splattering of cover versions. ‘Death’s Head’ sees Mather and the band channeling the whole of the Bad Seeds ‘Murder Ballads’ album into one magnificent song. The slower but still epic ‘The Gods of Men’ from the recent ‘The In Between’ album is followed by the alt country of ‘Black Hawk’.    For my generation, Alex Cox is a fascinating but flawed director of films such as ‘Repo Man’ and ‘Sid and Nancy’. He was also the presenter of ‘Moviedrome’ on BBC2 in the late eighties/early nineties showcasing numerous cult films across its run. A great deal of my viewing habits has been influenced by his recommendations, and to hear that he is using the band’s ‘Careful What You Pray For’ in his upcoming ‘Dead Souls’ film has piqued my interest. The song itself sees the return of Mather’s southern preacher, spaghetti western guitar and some frenetic fiddling from Luis.

‘Drowned in Trouble’ keeps the tempo going with a wonderfully melodic vocal from Mather. ‘Capital T’ is one of the band’s more political songs and is musically more laid back with a rockabilly shuffle forming the song’s base. Next, we are in bluegrass territory with a cover of Hank Williams’ ‘Ramblin’ Man’. ‘Shadow of the Crows’ ups the pace again with the narrative of a remorseless and vengeful protagonist. ‘Lily of the West’ is a classic tale of obsession and betrayal whilst the brooding ‘Tall Rider’ reminisces on a life long lived.

‘In the Blood’ sees a man awaiting his fate as the gallows swing in the wind. Hank Williams makes a second appearance with an enthralling cover of ‘Long Gone Lonesome Blues’. We’re into the home stretch and given how hot the venue is tonight, we are certainly ready for a drink and ‘Two for the Road’. The set finishes with the frantic stomp of ‘Without a Trace’ which could soundtrack a gothic hoedown.

The band return to the stage for the melancholic ‘Easy Come Easy Go’, before Luis gives us a blast of Bach’s ‘Toccato in D minor’ on his violin to introduce the full gothic onslaught of ‘The Reckoning’. It’s a glorious cacophony of sound with the full band letting rip as Mather brings the end of days to a western town.  I’ve never been disappointed by Heathen Apostles live and tonight was no different – another enthralling appearance. They’re playing Rebellion next month and Tomorrow’s Ghosts later in the year. I recommend a detour to see them if you are at either festival.

Text and Photos by Ian Ladlow

https://www.1st3-magazine.com/heathen-apostles-live-review-sailing-into-hell/

Have you laid eyes on the Heathen Apostles before? Neither had I, so I tightened my corset and braced for the spectacle as The Lexington’s stage morphed into a grand theater. The band took their places, ready to unleash their storm.

For a bewildering moment, I wondered if a mistake had been made and that we were all about to see a production of The Crucible…
But then the music starts, and all thoughts of justice governed by fear, prejudice, and suspicion are banished by the powerful chemistry and musical genius that fills the air.

Dimly lit and serious-faced, with an intensity so fierce it sends shivers down the spine, the crew aboard this storm-tossed vessel of sound is a force to be reckoned with. Mather Louth, captain of this weather-beaten Gothic Americana ship, commands the stage with vocals that pierce through the fog like a cutlass through the thickest of sails. Her voice guides us through seas of murderous balladry, the brooding lyrics and intricate instrumentation flowing with the ease of a ship slicing through dark, tempestuous waters. Their genre-bending style is as unpredictable as the high seas, each song a rogue wave crashing with elegance and power.
“Capital T” was led by the alluring violinist Luis Mascaro, whose bow dances with the finesse of a master swordsman. “Shadow of the Crows” follows, with Thomas Lorioux’s heavily percussive bass”

Amidst it all, the violinist—our ship’s smiling rogue—grins through the storm, his playing as sharp as any rapier blade. And smile he should, for his skill is nothing short of staggering. With a call from Louth—“How y’all doing, London?”—the ship sails into “Death’s Head,” and Louth, trading her well-worn guitar for a bodhrán, spins a tale of love turned sour and a stolen heart, the tremolo percussive beat building into a magnificent, macabre crescendo.

Strings fly off the fiddle, fingers a blur of fury and speed. Mather announces that their seventh album, The In Between, has just been unleashed upon the world. The crowd—many dressed in their own interpretations of Gothic Americana, a right old bunch of gothic buccaneers, some with no hair, others with long hair flowing, hats tipped just so, and a few even adorned with a small skull or two—respond with hearty cheers, fully enraptured. In no time, they’re under a spell, completely connected to the rhythm.