Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers recently announced that he is setting up his own music magazine with a massive focus on user generated content and self-distribution through various communities of music fans.
The Ark will be a downloadable publication. The idea is that each week a pdf savefile will go online with a logo over a blank front page, plus all the columns and two pages of free adverts for any music site or fanzine interested.
This will enable the audience to download the savefile and basically edit the rest of the magazine. They will choose a front cover artist and write about what is happening within their local scene alongside political and musical issues important to them.
The magazine, when completed will be free to download with the people who have downloaded and printed the publication deciding on price and selling it through local record stores, venues, pubs etc..
Writing on his blog McClure said: “I think it’s pretty much unanimous that the public are a bit pissed off at the state of the music press and want a change”
In a scathing critique of NME Magazine McClure continued: “Its my belief that the British music scene should not be enslaved to some white posh kids in IPC tower in London on the payroll of Time Warner. NME have abused their monopoly over music press since the decline of rivals such as Select, Sounds and Melody Maker”.
McClure also confirmed that he has already confirmed several writers to contribute, including Howard Marks, Toddla T and Barry Hyde from The Futureheads.
As previously reported by The Gen last month, the circulations of the majority of traditional consumer magazines in the music sector are in rapid decline.
McClure urged anyone in the UK who wants to get involved and contribute to contact him via e-mail here.
Find out more about the project here: The Ark
Have your say! Does this sound like an innovative step in the right direction or a kind of utopian ideal that will not translate very well into practice? Do you agree with his views on NME and the contemporary music press in the UK? Will you be getting involved with The Ark?
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