Miscellaneous - Loops Magazine

  by Chris O'Toole

published: 24 / 6 / 2009

intro

Chris O' Toole looks at new bi-annual publication 'Loops Magazine', whivch is being published in a joint venture between Domino Records and publishers Faber

Backed by London based independent record label Domino and publishing house Faber, 'Loops Magazine' is a new bi-annual publication offering an intellectual take on contemporary music. Created by a revolving cast of established and aspiring writers, the magazine seeks escape from the frenetic world of online publication to offer contributors an increasingly rare chance indulge - publishing tour diaries, non sequiturs, think-pieces and everything in between. The first issue contains an extract from Nick Cave’s new novel 'The Death of Bunny Munr'o – set to be published by Canongate Books in September this year – as well as a piece by James Yorkston about his influences called 'Perfect Button Drumming'. There is also an essay on drone pioneers Spacemen 3 by Richard Milward. While a new concept in itself the publishing duo behind the project has form. Domino made its name importing cerebral American rock artists to the UK – with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Sebahoh chief among them - before signing an exciting new crop of performers including Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand. In turn Faber counts Jon Savage’s 'England’s Dreaming', Simon Reynolds’s 'Rip It Up and Start Again' and Greil Marcus’s 'Lipstick Traces' among its many credits. A recent launch event saw readings from Jon Hopkins, Chris Killen and Simon Armitage as well as a performance from Yorkston himself. The inaugural issue is out now – available in Rough Trade East and other locations at £12 – with a regularly updated website (www.loopsjournal.com) also set for launch in the near future.