(idm) Magazine Merits

From lwtcdi
Sent Sat, Oct 24th 1998, 18:44

> Actually, I find this list is probably the best resource for learning
> about music that falls within its parameters (however IDM is defined),
> and a mag by its contributors would be a formidable publication 
> indeed (its main strengths would be writers with solid musical knowledge and
> less arrogance than is often the case). 

I think you're missing the point - this IS a mag by it's contributors.
Welcome to our world... :-) It's just like one in fact. Each digest
equals an issue. It's great, it's ongoing and like a proper mag you can
stop reading it if it gets shit (as I have done for a while)! To be
honest, I don't quite see the point of having people create a paper
based fanzine on particular aspects of IDM. What next a Gescom fanzine
called "Mag" containing picure of their latest "aural wibbler" and fan
letters, with the whole thing being badly photocopied like those Skam
12" inserts? What would it offer that here doesn't or that you can't get
on the Internet?

I think what nearly all people on IDM want is a wide variety of music
info and opinion starting from a basis of "popular" core IDM artists,
whereas fanzines are fractional often self-indulgent ramblings that are
good for the occasional laugh or exclusive interview and that's it. And
that's not to discredit anyones 'zines, but you *know* pretty much
what's going to be in them. I like something where you maybe don't know
what it's going to be like, that's why Grand Royal is so readable and
has sporadic periods of genius.

As for proper magazines, well, I don't have anything against Jockey
Slut/Muzik per se. They're club orientated magazine and it's never
pretended to be anything else. The quality varies, but I wouldn't go as
far as saying that the people who write for them just don't care about
music, as someone said. They obviously do care, but also have business
concerns. This list doesn't suffer from that, which has it's advantages
and disadvantages. There's no point moaning that Muzik/Jockey Slut
doesn't cover all the things you like. That's what magazines are about -
some things take your fancy, others don't. Let's face it, we buy these
magazines for specific reviews and articles, or at least I know I do.
I'd never subscribe cos two out of every three months there'd be almost
nothing worth reading. Read 'em in the shop I say and let the coffee
table massive make up the majority of sales.

Graham.

np Mike Dred and Peter Green - Virtual Farmer (fuck, the intro to track
2 is seriously scary on headphones. Couldn't make it all the way
through. Those disenbodied voices - that's some primal shit. David Lynch
would be proud).

pps What's this Amon Tobin track that's out of tune again? The horn in
"Easy Muffin" was it? Just wanted to see if I agreed or not. I know some
of Amon's stuff has a tendancy to grate a bit, but it's certainly not
something that I find unlistenable. On the contrary I think repeated
listens make it gel more and the bits you thought were wrong or
out-of-tune slip slowly into focus...