Hi! I’m thinking about an editorial project, an online zine, where I listen to new music, select the artists or songs that I like, and I feature them. It’s a known, even old model, that relies on the subjectivity of human selection.

I say “I” but (if there is interest) the project could include other authors creating their own zines, under a multi-genre multi-style umbrella. However, it should be sustainable with just one zine as well.

I’m not a music critic. I don’t have much time. I don’t have a professional or economic incentive. Why do I think this idea will succeed, and how? Well, I’m genuinely curious about finding new music that I like, and share it with others. It could be fun and rewarding.

And why readers should care? If they love music and they like the criteria of a zine, they will love the music selected for them, and they will know more about the artists behind that music.

The formula zines follow

  • Each zine has one or more selectors, with declared criteria about the types of music featured, and a fitting name. They can choose the language(s) they prefer. English is default but not required.
  • Every month, a new issue features a selection of releases from the previous month.
  • Only social music, from these sources:
  • Only new releases.
  • 100% human selection through personal taste. No ads or promos, no popularity contest, no favors to friends, no self-promotion.
  • The music speaks. Features consist of embedded players with short texts or just a link. The artists contribute most of the words and images. There is little room for the selectors’ ego beyond selecting.
  • Artists may submit their new releases for consideration, readers may submit recommendations too, but selectors are expected to go out there and listen to whatever is being released.
  • The zine and the selection criteria abide by the Social Music Network code of conduct.

In practice

  • The URL of a zine is [NameOfZine].[NameOfProject].org (I have a name and I will share it when I get the domain.)
  • The “e” vowel is strongly recommended in the zines’ names, to follow a humorous consistency. The project name only uses this vowel. Artistic suggestion. :slight_smile:
  • I am starting a zine called “Electre” dedicated to music partially or totally created with electronic instruments. Therefore, it will be at electre.[NameOfProject].org
  • I aim to start selecting music released in August to feature it in a first issue in September.
  • Others are invited to join and create their zines, with the understanding that right now we have nothing, and I have no idea what if anything will be in place in September.

Software

There are several potential candidates, but given the features described below, I think I will play safe and go for a WordPress subdomain network with the official ActivityPub plugin (and tweaks?).

  • The author/s of [NameOfZine].[NameOfProject].org can publish posts autonomously.
  • It is easy to embed players based on external links to social music platforms – we won’t host music.
  • It is easy to embed images and video based on external links to social music or (really) social media platforms – we won’t host media if we can avoid it.
  • It is easy to subscribe to a zine via ActivityPub/Fediverse and email. Other social subscription methods (?) are welcome.
  • It is easy to comment from the Fediverse – we won’t host local comments if we can avoid it. Or should we? To be decided.
  • It is easy to report content allegedly violating the code of conduct (federated comments included), and it is easy to act on these reports.
  • It is easy to submit music recommendations to a zine.
  • To select the music, which music distribution platforms are within scope?

And maybe I should have started by asking…

  • Does something like this exist already? (the closest I’m aware of is https://nham.co.uk/ )
  • Do you think this idea stands a chance?
  • Are you or someone you know interested in creating a zine?