Quality Print Media, The Almighty Dollar and The Truth

As Fufkin enters a second stage with its redesign, I have received requests to advertise on the site and inquiries as to my motivations for upping the ante on what we do here. The truth is that our motivation is the same as it has always been: to tell the truth as we see it in a modern musical landscape. It's tough, because everything costs money, and the major label conglomerates are the ones with the money. Like Kurt Hernon says this month, you really can't trust major print publications in today's society because they rely on advertising from the major media labels. The medium truly is the message, but as Fufkin and sites like PopMatters, In Music We Trust, bangsheet, Swizzlestick and other online publications have shown, the internet is an outlet for The Truth. Luckily, there are still print publications with similar ideals.

In a landscape of media manipulation led by EW, Rolling Stone, Blender and others, there exists publications who deserve support of your hard earned dollar at the newstand and through subscription. This month marks the ten year anniversary of Magnet, a publication that has become a preeminent alternative rock publication from humble beginnings. They are not swayed by who advertises with them. The writing is superb, and the look of the publication may be unparalleled as compared to any publication of its kind in the world. Many of you read Magnet, but for those who don't, pick up the recent issue if, for nothing else, Phil Sheridan's column entitled "The Back Page."

Mr. Sheridan's pieces are consistently excellent, but this piece really puts into perspective the last ten years of alternative music and where we are in words I won't even attempt to paraphrase. When you experience this publication, its layout and its splendid photography, it becomes clear that as good as the internet is as a medium, nothing comes close to holding something like Magnet in your hand. As I am reading the masthead, it says: "Kimberly Merritt: Art Director". All I can say is, Thank You.

We have praised other great publications committed to The Truth, like Big Takeover, No Depression, Harp, Amplifier, MOJO, Q and others. Please understand that these publications need subscription and newsstand sales to survive because, unlike the internet, fixed costs are high. Unless they sell out to The Man, advertising revenue will not carry the day. Support publications that tell The Truth so that publications like Magnet last another ten, twenty or thirty years. Let's make Jack Rabid, Eric Miller and all editors of quality publications secure enough financially so that they publish forever. In a musical landscape filled with creative, emerging artists, as a fan, you need these publications. The Truth is out there, and you know where to find it. With support, that will always be the case.

___________________________________________________

To reach any other page contained in this month's update on Fufkin.com, read the home page for the appropriate link and click on it. You can also search the site from any page using the search box located at the top of each page. Merely type in the word, phrase, name of the band, recording, name of the Fufkin writer that you are looking for or Whatever in the search box, and then click on "Search". If you would like to e-mail us, go to the About Us page for a list of e-mail addresses.

Go back to the home page by clicking here

____________________________________________________