08/17/2025
Thank you to everyone (new and old) who came out last night to wish me “buen viaje” before I ship off to Spain to start a new chapter in my life. I will truly miss doing my silly little night with everyone. I call it a “silly” night, because Brutalism started as just that: a silly idea between two best friends to play incredibly niche music but also being new post punk music to Pittsburgh. I was heavily into Russian Post Punk during The Lockdown and wanted a night to be able to share that with Pittsburgh. I also was listening to live Darkwave shows from France, online, that had amazing bands like Minuit Machine, and also Stateside sets with Boy Harsher (this is back in 2019/2020) and really wanted that for us. After some scheming with Eamon, we decided we wanted to do a night that we could play the international post punk and darkwave music I loved, plus the electroclash and music we also regularly listened to that made us “us”. We never wanted to be too serious because we aren’t terribly serious. It never was and isn’t a goth night. I’m happy with what it’s become. I’m happy that we have become a q***r night. Brutalism has helped me with my own q***r identity. It’s helped me play out my hare-brained ideas like Mall Goth and our Halloween Parties. Big thank yous to those who were with us since 2021, to Dusty at Belvederes Ultra-Dive for giving me the ability to have a night in the first place when I asked in the utility closet at Belvs, Belvs for our first home on Thurs, and Mixtape for our current sweet spot and being great friends. Team Brutalism will always be Bedlamboy and Rachel Ruckus, but what the future holds will look slightly different. I want the core tenants to remain the same. Keep your eyes peeled for future things on both sides of the sea. Thank you. I love you. ❤️ Rachel
