Wings of Steam

Early in the year there was discussion throughout the community over whether or not steampunk was dead. This was apparently spawned by a lull in the popularity of the word “steampunk” as a search term on Google. However, a look at Google Trends right now shows that steampunk is certainly NOT dead, and is, in fact, more popular than ever. Just as we have done in 2008, here we will take a look back at the last year and see just exactly how we have kept the steampunk community alive.

As with many things in this list, there were far too many steampunk events to mention, but arguably this year’s biggest and best was Steamcon in Seattle. Although not the first con specifically dedicated to steampunk, Steamcon seemed to set a new precedent for all future steampunk conventions. Too much happened to write about here, but there are many reports available on the aethernet.

The steampunk community was delighted when the Museum of the History of Science at Oxford University adknowledged our form of alternate history by running an exhibition of steampunk art and inventions by creators from around the world.

The CGSociety concluded their Steampunk Myths & Legends contest in Februrary. We were treated to beautiful videos and images, and the winning entries can be seen here.

October was declared Steampunk Month on Tor.com. Authors and bloggers from the steampunk community joined up with Tor’s staff to discuss everything steampunk and share short stories.

Two of the most anticipated steampunk novels this year were Leviathan, and Boneshaker. Set in World War I Europe, Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld tells of Alek, an Austro-Hungarian prince on the run as his path crosses with Deryn, a common girl disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service. Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest takes place in the ruins of Civil War-Era Seattle. Briar Wilkes must rescue her son from zombies and airship pirates after he enters the city to clear his father’s name.

This year brought us the addition of two new periodicals. Steampunk Tales is a short-story fiction magazine released specifically for iPhone. Alternatively, exploring the non-fiction side of steampunk, Exhibition Hall made its debut this year as well. On a sad note, due to the depressed economy, The Willows, a magazine devoted to speculative and dark Victorian fiction, went out of business early in the year.

Abney Park was quite busy this year. Dancer and backing vocalist Finn Von Claret left the band, and was replaced by Jody Ellen. After months of delay, the anticipated new album Aether Shanties was finally released on December 1st.

Previously a solo act, Vernian Process spent the last year reinventing itself. With the addition of Martin Irigoyen in late 2008, VP is now a full-sized band, and have released a reworked version of their album, “Behold The Machine“.

Sepiachord released a compilation, “The Sepiachord Companion”, showcasing fifteen of today’s steampunk musical acts. Steampunk bigband Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society released their first album, “Infernal Machines”. Steam Powered Giraffe released their first album, “Album One”. The Clockwork Dolls played their first live show and released their first album, “Dramatis Personae“. Deadly Nightshade Botanical Society released their second album, “Accoutrements and Oddities”, as well as a Christmas EP, “Clockwork Carols”.

In the world of gaming Atlus online released it’s first title, a free steampunk MMORPG called Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent. The biggest flop of the year may have been Damnation, a steampunk shooter released on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Our hopes for a great steampunk game were restored however with the announcement of the forthcoming game, Epic Mickey, along with some apocalyptic-looking concept art. Epic Mickey is expected to be released in September 2010.

A couple of web series made their debut. Riese, a production featuring top actors from the Sci-Fi genre, tells the story of a wandering traveler and her canine companion who are on the run from an evil religious order known as The Sect. Also, the League of S.T.E.A.M., steampunk ghostbusters, already famous for their con appearances, began documenting their comedic travails in “Adventures of the League of S.T.E.A.M.”

For new webcomics this year, check out The Continentals, about a group of special agents battling violent crimes, Sidewise, about a boy lost in time in an alternate Victorian London, and The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage, about Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage teamed together as a crime-fighting duo.

There are scores of new steampunk websites out there, and three of them deserve mention here. Steampunk Empire is a social networking site just for steampunks where one can go to chat, post photos and video, and interact with other steampunks across the globe. Likewise, Dieselpunks.org has been created for the dieselpunks among us and on top of social networking, also features new and interviews in the worlds of both steampunk and dieselpunk. Finally, “Steampunk Events is a forum for advertising steampunk events anywhere in the world. Though currently a bit inactive, the site has much potential, as long as people start using it.

Now that you’re caught up on what’s been happening in steampunk, here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:

• Perpetual Steam Punk, a web series set in San Francisco.
• Steampunk Quarterly, a new fiction e-zine.
• A steampunk version of Hamlet, performed by the Butterfield 8 Theater Company in May.
• A miniseries version of Neal Stephenson’s “The Diamond Age“.
• A movie version of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, starring Natalie Portman.

We here at Wings of Steam hope everyone had a great year and will have an even better next year!

Neo-Victorian Studies is a scholarly e-journal dedicated to exploring the “contemporary fascination with re-imagining the nineteenth century,” or Neo-Victorianism. Published two to three times a year, it explores the art, literature, politics and history of the Victorian era from a modern context.

Besides having content of interest to Neo-Victorians at large, the current issue of the journal features an article specifically related to steampunk. We can look forward to an issue on “Sweeny Todd and Other (Neo-)Victorian Criminalities” coming out early this year, and of even more interest, an issue this summer devoted to “Steampunk, Science, and (Neo)Victorian Technologies.”

Submissions for the steampunk issue are currently being accepted through their website.

Greetings and salutations to you, dear readers of this most excellent blog. I must confess, I’m rather inexperienced with the complexities of writing for an audience. Or perhaps I’m just modest. Either way, Captain Julian has graciously allowed me to post an entry for him. My name is Oddessa Gooding, and I have the pleasure of being a member of Wings of Steam.

Today I should like to expand the fashion horizons of steampunks everywhere by exposing them to the joys of steampunk interior design. Truly, one cannot look their best without being in a setting that makes them look all the better. Steampunk is not just fashion for the body, it’s a theme that can be applied to most anything, like your own humble abode. For starters, there’s a wonderful place called The Steampunk Home, which is not an actual house, but a place where a plethora of ideas and fascinating furniture pieces can be found. This blog is a treasure trove of inspiration for any dwelling, with vintage items and creative design suggestions; there are articles on everything from light fixtures to secret doors. Not a room will be left undesigned. Be sure to check out the article on the secret library- if there’s one room I love the most in a house, it’s one that’s full of books.

Another place of note that any steampunk ought to make a pilgrimage to is a glorious bar called The Edison. This drinking establishment, situated in downtown Los Angeles, was created from what was previously the city’s first private power plant. A lot of blogs have already brought this wondrous location to your attention I’m sure, but it bears repeating. The designers strove to blend art, history, and science to create a unique environment that patrons could experience and enjoy. The Edison is so classy that common clothing is strongly discouraged, while elegantly dressed gents and ladies are swiftly accommodated. With rooms named The Lab, The Tesla Lounge, and the Generator Lounge, this location is sure to bring joy to the hearts of even the most skeptical steampunks. Be sure to keep a handkerchief in hand whilst you look at the virtual tours. Also of note, the well-beloved Abney Park will be performing there on New Years Eve.

Of course, interior design always starts with the little items. At the Victorian Trading Company you can find a countless number of accessories of the Victorian persuasion for your home. If you find yourself tiring of all this furniture business, there is also a collection of fashion and  miscellaneous items as well, should you feel so inclined.

So, readers, always keep in mind that steampunk can be applied to your life just about anywhere. After all, what sort of mad scientist would you be with a wonderfully designed lab? How could an explorer seek the wild lands of the unknown without an elegant and whimsical library to store his knowledge? Remember, home is where you hang your hat. Or goggles.

Always passing strange,
Oddessa Gooding

A week ago on November 2nd, the bellydancing group Read My Hips presented a runway style steampunk fashion show at the Subterranean nightclub in Chicago. The show featured music, dance, and cabaret acts by eight different performance groups and clothing and fashion by eighteen different fashion designers.

Performers included:
KSA
Read My Hips
Jack and Jinx
The Honey Buns
mARTa
Blue Cat Tribe

Designers included:
Stephanie Barto
Marquis DeSign
Dark Eye Design
UV Glowin’
NohWear
Under the Root
Kreatia
Wounded Line
Crisiswear
Robyn Coffey

I’m quite impressed with the quality of the designs that were presented. Below are few highlights from the fashion show, photographed by Brian C. Janes of bcj. Photography.

Click here to see more.

Since posting about the forthcoming MMORPG Air, I’ve discovered another online steampunk game that is in the works and will be much released sooner. The World of Gatheryn will begin beta testing in Spring 2009 and will be geared more for the casual gamer than most MMO’s have been lately. Founded in 2006, MindFuse Games has raised over $1 million dollars for the production of the game, and expects to raise more before the game’s release due to its niche market appeal.

As a casual game, The World of Gatheryn promises to rely less on combat than traditional MMO’s, and more on puzzles and problem solving. The combat will still be there for the gamers that crave it, but by putting more of a focus on strategy, it allows gamers to feel accomplished without needing to invest countless hours hacking and slashing to increase their character’s skill level. “The richest massively multiplayer universes have been largely violent fantasy worlds”, said Joseph Walters, Chief Executive of MindFuse. “Casual, friendly games on the other hand feel more like a snack than a feast. MindFuse is going to bring the two types of gameplay and players together – simple, compelling games embedded in a deep three dimensional world”.

Drawing inspiration from the fantasy worlds of Jules Verne and HG Wells, Gatheryn is a Neo-Victorian styled world where people are struggling to free themselves from oppression by the evil overlord Marcellus Deering who controls their primary source of energy and light. It promises to be a story of love, romance, power and corruption. People travel about on steam-powered dirigibles and exotic boats, lending to the world’s sense of depth.

Upon arrival in Gatheryn, players will find themselves in Fog Town on Elymia Island. Through interaction with the town’s residents, characters will be sent on quests and solve mini-games scattered across the island. Each quest solved will enable new opportunities for your character, thus enabling you to control the path of gameplay as you desire. With your earnings from completed quests you will be able to buy the standard costumes and accessories, pets, which range from small, furry creatures to mechanical, steam-powered animal-automatons, and even purchase and furnish your own lodgings which can be used as a home base and gathering place for you and your friends.New islands will become available to players as the game expands, offering new quests and mini-games, keeping the game constantly fresh and new.

Signups for beta testing are currently available though the register page at The World of Gatheryn’s website.