If you’re tapped into the L.A. music scene, you’ve probably heard of GothieCouture. He’s an artist and model who has been building a real community around his work, which he calls the #GothieGang. For a while now, he’s been releasing music and developing a unique style that blends different sounds and visuals. But his new single is probably his most personal yet, giving listeners a real look into the struggles he’s faced and the strength he’s found.
“Rule The World,” which dropped in June, sets a definite mood from the very first note. The producer, Saint Mike, created a gloomy, atmospheric instrumental that GothieCouture uses to great effect with his distinct, echoing vocals. The sound is heavily influenced by the late ’80s post-punk he’s a fan of—he even names bands like Lebanon Hanover and Molchat Doma as inspirations. At its core, the song asks a tough question: “If I could rule the world / Would it change a thing?”. It’s a track that really gets you thinking about what power means when you’re dealing with your own inner turmoil.
This song wasn’t an easy one to create. GothieCouture admits it took him nearly four months to write, which is a lot longer than the week it usually takes him. The reason for the struggle was deeply personal. At the time, he was in school full-time and also dealing with his father’s serious medical issues. The stress and feeling of helplessness took him to some very dark places, forcing him to question everything. He says that facing this difficult period was the “fire” he needed to finally become the artist and man he wanted to be. The song is his way of sharing that experience, hoping it can be a source of encouragement for anyone who feels down or misunderstood.
GothieCouture’s creative vision isn’t just about the music. He’s also a model and has a very specific visual style inspired by high-fashion brands like Dior Homme and Tom Ford. For him, the look and the sound are two sides of the same coin, and this comes through clearly in the music video for “Rule The World”. He directed the video himself, and his hands-on approach paid off—it’s already racked up over a million views. The success of the video shows he has a clear vision for his work, from the first note to the final shot.
The professional quality of his projects makes sense when you look at his background. GothieCouture, also known as Joshua Ivory, has been working at this for over ten years. He started with classical violin at the age of seven before moving to California and diving into music technology. For years, he worked as a freelance engineer in studios around Hollywood and Burbank, learning from major artists like KILLY, Famous Dex, and Smokepurpp. All that experience led him to open his own recording studio in Downtown L.A., where he now writes, produces, and engineers his own tracks.
GothieCouture wants the song to do for others what his own struggles did for him – “I hope that this song can do for others what those turmoils in my life have done for me & ignite the fire of passion in their hearts to pursue their dreams with full vigor & enthusiasm…”
He’s open about his journey, from making music with basic equipment in his apartment to now doing it as a career. His message is one of hope and resilience. He wants to inspire people to create themselves anew, reminding them that, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, they can too.
Follow GothieCouture for more: https://www.instagram.com/officialgothiecouture
