05/22/08
Text: Nik Mercer
Since The Journal of Popular Noise's debut issue in the Spring of 2007, Anthem has been quite intrigued and impressed by the publication. Calling the thing a magazine is a bit of a stretch, though; perhaps dubbing it a semi-annual triple-disc 7" vinyl release with thorough liner notes would be better. Each audio magazine includes three vinyl discs featuring tunes by unknown musical acts. The $30 book appeals to a niche, sure, but with incredibly beautiful packaging and an extremely limited run, each release is bound to sell out (the first one already has!)
Issue 7 - 9 (Vol. 1, S/S 2008) includes records by Seattle's Past Lives, New York's Bora Yoon, and Aichi Prefecture, Japan's Na + Junko. Don't worry if none of the names are ringing any bells―that's the whole point! The Journal of Popular Noise aims to fill the gap that the blog community and music Websites fail to cover; exposing the hole-in-the-wall groups, the here-one-minute-gone-the-next singer/songwriters, the in-plain-sight but in want of a publicist.
Issues 7 - 9 will be out on June 3, so keep an eye out for one when that date arrives... or order a copy online when the magazine's available.
