Magazine

Notes: Disco Beats has created a disc guide zine in paper format.

The theme is domestic disco 7-inch B-sides.

Please get a copy of this zine and go on a treasure hunt at record stores.

Most of the records in the zine can be obtained for a few hundred yen.

(Some of them are chill soul, and some are disco.)

Notes: Maggot Brain Issue 14 is coming. The Fall 2023 issue is jam-packed!

Cover boy Harry Smith shines thanks to a cheeky, never-before published photo by Allen Ginsberg. We celebrate the life and work of the self-described "ethnopharmacologist" just in time for the release of John Szwed's illuminating biography and Smith's first one-person art exhibition, at the Whitney, with three killer, well-illustrated features (on his Anthology of American Folk Music, an interview by Marc Masters with Szwed, and a terrific dive into Smith's relationship with fellow visual artist and filmmaker Jordan Belson by Raymond Foye). Also in this issue: Andy Beta on the reissue of a forgotten Lou Reed record. Excerpts from two revelatory works- Andy Zax's Extinctophonics, and Christina Ward's Holy Food. Kathy Lindenmayer witnesses a show by Boygenius. An archival interview with fabric arts pioneer and Bauhaus OG, Anni Albers. An illustrated Advance Base tour diary by Owen Ashworth. Tamara Palmer considers the oddball career arc of Orbital. Andy Beta goes deep on Tetsu Inoue. Nate Lippens goes off on Rene Ricard and other obsessions. And Michelle Dove on Cat Power's sense of humour! Plus illustrations throughout by Marly Beyer; and columns by Lucy Sante, Mimi Lipson, Dwight Pavlovic, and editor Mike McGonigal; tributes to Sixto Rodriguez, Esp Summer, and Pee-Wee Herman; and the triumphant return of the Unstapled column, with reproductions of a contemporary basketball fanzine.

Notes: Maggot Brain Issue 16: Spring 2024

This is a really packed, special issue of Maggot Brain, with the feature cover story a comprehensive interview by celebrated writer Sasha Frere-Jones with essayist, Lucy Sante (who's written for every issue of MB since the start), on the occasion of her awesome memoir about transitioning, I Heard Her Call My Name.

Phill Niblock: A tribute to the genius musician, filmmaker, label head, and generous promoter of ecstatic sound, by Steve Silverstein.

Tresa Leigh: An in-depth feature on the star of Efficient Space's beloved Ghost Riders compilation! Really a beautiful, untold story.

Dredd Foole: As his legacy is revealed through Corbett vs Dempsey's archival series, Foole talks to Six Organs of Admittance's Ben Chasny about the role of his band the Din in the Boston underground. Plus sidebars from Christina Carter, Kris Price, and Phil Milstein.

Loopsel: Mike McGonigal on some of the most elusive, beautiful contemporary music, straight out of Gothenburg.

Jeff Noon: An illuminating interview with the British speculative writer on his newest work as well as the 30th anniversary of the stunning Vurt.

Sleater-Kinney: 30 vital years of uncompromising music, by none other than Audrey Golden!

Hudson of Feature Inc.: A celebration of the most innovative gallerist of our lifetime on the occasion of the Soberscove Press book about his work and life.

Shabazz Palaces: The creator of vital, spiritual hip-hop beautifully interviewed by Detroit-based musician and writer Zachary Weedon.

Birtha: Nate Carson's in-depth feature on the pioneering, all-women boogie-choogle act.

Shonto Begay: One of Maggot Brai's favourite contemporary writers, JD O'Brien, in deep discussion with the great Native American painter-with particular emphasis on how his works engage with and are influenced by music. This piece alone is so well-written and illustrated it's worth buying the issue for.

Some columns: The debut of archivist Andy Zax's fabulous 'Extinctophonics' column! Cassette reviews, plus copious book and record reviews as well! Ana Gavrilovska on Detroit-based jazz duo Balance! Nate Carson on the Earth documentary, in the debut of the music documentary column! The latest Icons column finds Michelle Dove exploring the work of Chicago's beloved Douglas McCombs! 13 Questions for contemporary folk great Lael Neale by Mike McGonigal! And more Lucy Sante!

Notes: This disc guide presents a collection of over 100 releases from 2012 to 2021 by HAUSU MOUNTAIN, a Chicago label with impressive visuals that use materials that resemble video game pixels.

It has a strong experimental colour, but has a variety of musical styles, including rock and techno.

The author Muimix has created a mix using only Hausu Mountain music to accompany the writing.

Please listen to it for reference before you buy or for background music when you read after your purchase.

Notes: This is a disc guide to the works of Brooklyn-based label RVNG Intl. which released a catalog number 100 work (Satomimagae "Awa (Expanded)") this year.

In the early days, the label focused on dance music, but gradually began to release a wide range of content.

The label is also characterized by facing history and the past with as much passion as it directs toward real-time music, such as the "FRKWYS" series, which connects great predecessors with contemporary artists, and an unusually extensive reissue business.

Notes: This issue features a major cover story on British Mod R&B heroes the Artwoods by Mike Stax, while Pop Art paintermen the Creation are the subject of a brilliant new fact-finding mission by Peter Stanfield. Doug Sheppard reveals the true story of '70s hard rock mystery group Stonewall and their mega-rare private press tax scam LP, Moby Grape's Don Stevenson shares photos and secrets from his early history, and there are interviews with pre-teen pop prodigy Mark Radice, and UK label head and A&R genius Andrew Lauder. Also: '60s Miami garage girls the Belles (of "Melvin" fame), Minnesota psych monsters C.A. Quintet, sublime singer-songwriter Fred Neil, a Doors/Sons of Adam love triangle, Laurie Anderson on Lou Reed, Cyril Jordan on the Yardbirds, and much more including our remarkable review sections, covering all the latest vinyl and CD reissues, and rock 'n' roll-related books. (144 pages)

Notes: The top cover story this issue: the Futuristic Sounds of the Yardbirds; writer Peter Stanfield explores their change of direction in 1965, their rivalry with The Who and lots more. Also featured: Detroit rock pioneers the Chosen Few, the band that spawned future members of SRC and the Stooges, the compelling story of UK '70s punk outsiders the Subway Sect as told by guitarist Rob Symmons; '70s power pop princes the Paley Brothers; Viennese proto-punk anarchists Novaks Kapelle; the sixties adventures of Matthew and Daniel Moore (the Moon, Colours, Matthew Moore Plus Four); and a fascinating study of the beat music industry behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Plus: Moby Grape, the Ascots, Cyril Jordan on Little Richard, and our meticulous review sections, covering all the latest vinyl and CD reissues, and rock 'n' roll-related books. (152 pages)

Notes: Zweikommasieben Magazin #28

The sound of each individual's voice is thought to be entirely unique. Like a fingerprint, its composition is distinct, nuanced, and one-of-a-kind.

While all this is true, it's a concept that has been challenged in recent times by the refinement of AI powered systems which are able to emulate voices to a tee. And not only voices, for that matter, but whole styles and aesthetics: an AI-generated facsimile of Drake and The Weeknd's voices titled "Heart on My Sleeve" made the rounds this year and was even submitted for Grammy consideration. It's a legitimate song and a proposal that does not only keep legal departments busy, but also allows for myriad reflections on originality and, bluntly, the future of music. But as the future of music is a broad and daunting topic to speculate on, we want to hone in on what's been prefaced above: issue #28 of Zweikommasieben centres the voice as means of expression, and wants to expand on what is meant by that: it's not only what is heard, but also why a voice is used and by whom. This latest edition considers what it means to voice, and its physical, societal and political dimensions.

Zweikommasieben #28 includes:

-interviews with / portraits on Bela, Krista Papista, DJ Voices, Tianzhuo Chen,Meth Math, Rainy Miller, Honour, Ziur, and Natural Wonder Beauty Concept
- an essay on fan culture
- columns on stimming and the work ofDjamil Image
- a contribution by Claudia Pages with Nora Haddad and nara is neus

All content in English

Zweikommasieben is a magazine that has been devoted to the documentation of contemporary music and sound since the summer of 2011. The magazine features artist interviews, essays, and columns as well as photography, illustration, and graphics.

Quotes (previous editions):

Dekmantel - "So well worth getting your hands on a copy!"

Where To Now? - "Zweikommasieben is the best mag out."

abcdinamo - "A beautifully designed must read on electronic music."

Thomas Lennon - "Zweikommasieben is an automatic purchase every issue."
Tom Mouna - "(...) probably the best magazine for anyone interested in the key figures in contemporary electronic music."

Rubadub - "One of our fav mags for sure."

Sara Berts (Gang of Ducks) - "Every issue of the magazine is a typographic gem."

&mags - "A journey of discovery through contemporary music."

A s h (Do Hits, Taiwan Beats) - "Underground community's DIY spirit never fails."

Magculture - "From its 2011 beginnings, the magazine has had an inherent confidence. It's a magazine that takes good design and rigorous journalism just as seriously as the music. The interviews themselves are pacy and interesting, the antithesis of basic promotional content."

Rob Booth (Houndstooth) - "Another essential magazine..."

Rewind Forward -"Now in its 18th edition, [zweikommasieben] is a testament to this rather solid DIY venture from a group of friends [...]. Each zine packs a masterclass in design-each one has a different look and feel-whether it's a curious mix of page sizings, colour photos offset on newsprint, foil sleeves etc etc. They're always a pleasure to unfold..."