Though they never claim to be a goth band, C'est La Mort have been featured in a book about the subject, Music to Die For.

Rather, C'est La Mort make a kind of music that is beholden to the ‘80s and ‘90s underground - incorporating elements of the dark pop and shoegazer trends of the time.

Guitarist Geoff Cox offers insight into the nature of goth: "A lot of the bands that are really close to the goth heart aren't really goth at all," says Cox. "They've been embraced after the time."

As I've found while writing this preview, the more you say "goth," the less it means. Take C'est La Mort for what you will. Regardless of perfunctory categorization, their haunting melodies simply remain beautiful for their darkness. It's a shade that needs to be nurtured as much as any.

C'est La Mort

With Little Penguins, A Leaf, and Blanco Bronco
Friday, June 4, 9 p.m., cover TBA,
New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma
253.572.4020