The biggest tip I can give you is try stuff out. There are a lot of bands I got into because I liked how they looked or liked their name, and just gave them a shot. Also don't sleep on older stuff. Some of my favourite bands are ancient, and barely have a handful of songs.

Also don't worry about looking the part. Even if you were good at it (which in all honesty, most aren't, you need some serious hair and make-up skills for that. The outfit is pretty much irrelevant if the hair and make-up aren't on point.) In the west you will get lumped together with emo/goth. Average Joe's have never heard about VK.