August 10, 2004

{ Blowback Magazine }

If Crown Dozen had a cool older sister, and she was British and really really good-looking, and had excellent taste in a variety of music, art and culture, and if she was a magazine- her name would be Blowback. All of our friends would want to date her, and they'd always be talking about what gorgeous and vivid colors she has, how thick and sturdy her pages and binding are and what a knockout she is graphic design-wise. They would always want to spend the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of her before she jaunts off for an interview with electrolatino love-machine Senor Coconut. They might even sneak into her room to check out her artwork- from her grainy yet beautiful photography style to her next-level street art illustrations, everybody would want to take some home. They would all pester her to see pics of her psychedelic trip to Tokyo, marvel at the focused brilliance she revealed when discussing the subject of lomography, and they would all want to know what Adam Freeland is really like in person. And she would tell them. That's the cool thing about her. She wouldn't be all stuck-up and pretentious about it. She'd be accessible and easy to converse with, whether you wanted to talk about video games, independent film, freaky festival fashion or obscure rock bands. She'd share interesting and thoughtful interviews with anybody who wanted to read them, and she'd do it all for free. Essential to Blowback's ideology is the concept of accessibility- not only is the magazine offered for free, but it is used as a platform to promote and expose emerging and established artists and writers. It's all about the love of culture, and the desire to share it. Since they avoid pigeonholing themselves as a genre mag, they are open to anything and you get a nice sampling of different scenes within each mag. It's all so well-formatted and beautifully put together that I was shocked to find that they are just giving them away. The downside for us in the States is that Blowback is strictly a UK publication. That doesn't mean you can't find it, it just means that you would have to subscribe and cough up some shipping and handling costs. It goes so quickly once it hits shops and newsstands that you'd be lucky to snag a copy as-is, so a subscription isn't a bad idea regardless of what side of the pond you're on. Check out the Blowback website below for subscription info, and while you're there check out the online gallery under "Blowart". It will give you a taste of not only the magazine's content, but the minds behind it all. (my faves- Matt's "Stormtrooper Street Artist" piece and Orko's whacked-out mixed media cartoon pieces.)

» Blowback

By Adam in Reading | Comments:

Comments

This magazine was the biz. I say was, because they forced out Tim Jones at the end of last year (over personal issues), who was the creative head that gave the magazine it's look and feel.

It's sad to say but I think it's fresh and appealing look has gone.. :(

Posted by: nickel101 at March 11, 2005 3:23 PM

Re: Comment above

look at your magazine shelves and think - where are all the good titles? did they all disappear a la sleaze, slut, level, face and more? no - anyone producing decent design and copy and surviving in fine style like Blowback deserves praise not your wimpering (not like it used to be) criticism.

i will happily contribute next issue knowing my images will be well used - and no snapper ever claims that! Hence you won't find me hiding behind some online identity.

big up independent publishers I say.

Posted by: Tom Oldham at November 10, 2005 9:57 PM

Hmmm..
I took the reigns a few months ago (october) and have had some nice issues pushed out (if I do say so myself) retaining the usual feel but cleaning it up so you can at least read the damn thing.
There is a small budget and I'm doing it at a loss as it is, but for the very reason the mag runs.

Oh! and Blowback design will be evolving and growing up over the next few months. Look out for it!

gpop

Posted by: gpop at January 4, 2006 12:27 AM

LOVE BLOWBACK, GOT IT TODAY FROM LEVIS. ITS SO COLOURFUL AND DIFFERENT,
=] i want to work for it

Posted by: Lara at April 7, 2006 4:46 PM

I had a good 6 months worth of issues developed and I no longer work for Blowback - so unfortunately it may again lose it's colourful and different feel! :(

i'll be back in one form or another!

Posted by: gpop at August 29, 2006 12:31 PM