R.I.P. Harp Magazine

I liked writing for Harp a couple years ago. They were good to work with, and gave me a really free rein; they let me write about all kinds of stuff:

http://harpmagazine.com/guides/contributors/detail.cfm?id=527

Hadn't seen any copies of the magazine recently, though; apparently Bryon Coley (who doesn't just write about "boring music by and for overeducated upper-middle-class white people") took over the Last Roundup column I started, but I'm not sure what he did with it, and I'm kinda curious.

Just like with No Depression, they always covered lots of music that totally fits unperson's description. Guess that wasn't enough. But even though I didn't like most of what they covered, I always thought the magazine seemed okay, and I hope the good people there find viable alternatives.

(For whatever it's worth, Paste seems in its last couple issues to be trying to branch out to be a more "lifestyle" magazine. I don't think it's an improvement. Looks like they're trying to branch out in what music they cover, too, though the defenses of AC/DC and ZZ Top in the current issue -- along the lines of "they're dumb rock music, but we like them anyway!" -- wouldn't even have been as risky as they pretend to be a quarter century ago.)

Relix is still in print? Far freakin' out.

Nothing on Harp's website yet about this. I think their publisher also does design work for Jazz Times magazine (also published in Maryland, outside DC). I always liked No Depression better than Harp fwiw.

though the defenses of AC/DC and ZZ Top in the current issue (of Paste) -- along the lines of "they're dumb rock music, but we like them anyway!" -- wouldn't even have been as risky as they pretend to be a quarter century ago.

Not only self-defeating but also a cliche and a cookbook recipe for lameness. You don't see the Brit mags like Mojo -- at least I didn't when I bought them, which was at gone, gone, gone Tower -- tearing themselves into pieces trying to preserve hipster cool by winking over their classic rock features or compiling lists of old Sevetnies prog bands they liked.

I subscribe to Guitar Player mag, a US publication. And I'm glad no one at it loses any sleep over putting Allan Holdsworth on the cover, devoting a few full pages to Robin Trower because he has a new album, or including a tribute to Rory Gallagher. No "they're dumb rock music, but we like it" pansies welcome.

So why did or does Britishes support mags like Mojo or Classic Rock while American college-educuted ninnies feel compelled to always wink at stuff they must know for damn sure a lot of young people still enjoy playing and listening to? Because the audience can't read? Or because they won't read something by editor ninnines who confuse having a sense of humor with condescension, mincing and patronization?

BTW, I only saw Harp once or twice on newsstands, lack of effective distribution perhaps a contributing factor in its demise. I live in soCal, which isn't exactly the sticks of southwestern Pennsyltucky near the West Virginny border.

I read good interviews with Kris Kristofferson in both Harp and No Depression. That's the kind of thing I'll miss.

Gorge OTM for once

self-impressed articles about boring music by and for overeducated upper-middle-class white people!

http://www.irocknroll.com/images/Billy_Joel_LP.jpg

i never ever bought a copy of paste, harp, or no depression. and i will buy anything. ANYTHING. that must say something about something. maybe i should subscribe to relix. do they do in-depth poco features?

, I only saw Harp once or twice on newsstands, lack of effective distribution perhaps a contributing factor in its demise.

Yeah, that occured to me, too. They were really bad at sending me the promised comp copies when I was writing for them, and it was near impossible to find copies in New York. Eventually I figured out the (now defunct) Astor Place Barnes & Noble had them.

I used to see it around Manhattan but a lot of magazine stands/shops have closed in the last few years.

I always mix up Paste and Harp. which one has the born agin xtian connection? hopefully the one going out of business is the one I saw the derogatis byline in.

music: If you're not depressed, you're just not paying attention.

Where are all these editors, distributors, interns, A&Rs, managers, booking agents and bands all going to GO? Civil service? The health care industry? Dunder-Miflin?

Leaving Behind the Trucker Hat

Luckily, if there's ever a draught or some other calamity, they can always depend on Mumsey and Daddy to pay their way back to hipsterville

Having a cool cheese in your fridge has taken the place of knowing what the cool band is, or even of playing in that band,” she said. “Our rock stars are ricotta makers.”

Aren't cheese in fridges, by definition, all cool? (rimshot) Show me an uncool cheese and I'll show you spoilage happening.

Luckily, if there's ever a draught or some other calamity, they can always depend on Mumsey and Daddy to pay their way back to hipsterville

Yes; or, they might find that something they did on a romantic whim had value for them, and might go on to do good things for people

Wrong again, Gorge.

Cheesy does it

or see a similar piece in the April Harper's...

(Harper's not Harp)

Yes; or, they might find that something they did on a romantic whim had value for them, and might go on to do good things for people

-- J0hn D., Sunday, March 16, 2008 7:14 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Link

Hooray for them. It must be nice to be able to 'experience' things with nothing to lose. If only real farmers had it so good.

The Paste store is shutting down, fyi. $4.95 sale items, going fast. Found all the At the Close of Every Day releases I lacked.

So your position, If Assholes, is that one ought not farm unless the chance of total failure and poverty is constantly present? That if one has some money to invest in one's farm, that's unfair, 'cause it's only good if it's impoverished? That strikes me as an antiquated and overly aeshtheticized position, if it is what you're saying. Yes - certainly - it "must be nice" to experience something while having something to fall back on if you fail; privilege is nice for the privileged. Big news, that! It doesn't say jack shit about the nature of the experiences had by, or the propositions set forth by, the people you wanna indict, though; it just sounds like free-floating class rage.

As far as I'm concerned, any amount of gardening/farming done by anybody by hand adds to the general fund of good in the world.

Yes, similarly I have encountered so many folks in bands that wash dishes in-between tours and "suffer for their art". I came from absolutely no money, but I have made a background career for myself doing computer animation on a freelance basis. That's made it entirely possible for me to tour well into my 30s when I really should be growing up, buying property, settling down.

Whether you're funded by your parents, or your own steam, what is so wrong with having a back-up plan? Does that automatically ruin your motive for doing something that you enjoy?

Oh, pleae, Nate. I once saw Moon Patrol leave a Corvallis house party in matching 1915 Stutz-Bearcats.

Anyway, it would seem an unexpected fork in the road has been taken. From the demise of Harp to cheese-making, getting back to the land and the meaning of it all in terms of culture and class war.

<<self-impressed articles about boring music by and for overeducated upper-middle-class white people!>>

To get away from the farm for a moment, I'm curious as to a) where were these self-impressed articles? Bland, I'll accept. I admit I haven't read the mag real closely in a long time but it never struck me as self-impressed.

And wouldn't it seem offensive if someone crticized a mag for: "boring music by and for undereducated minorities?" Quite a broad stroke there. Sounds like right-wing radio when "overeducated" comes across as a slam, like "elitist" implied as a bad thing. (I HOPE my doctor is an elite.) If you think the music is boring, fine. I found much of the mag too predictable as well. But stick to fair criticisms. It's like calling a rock critic old or fat when you should be responding to their writing.

If anything it's sad that even mags that target a specific audience can't survive.

Does this mean a mag that tries to cover a broader spectrum would do better or worse?

Or do people just no longer buy magazines? Or have the advertisers to support them?

"Oh, pleae, Nate. I once saw Moon Patrol leave a Corvallis house party in matching 1915 Stutz-Bearcats.

I am still shocked whenever people remember a band I was in back in '96-'97 that never played outside of Oregon. You just made my night TC.

Relix's core audience was originally just Deadheads, right?

I used to see Harp and Paste in Borders bookstores throught the DC area.

http://www.thedailyswarm.com/headlines/harp-rip/

Relix's core audience was originally just Deadheads, right?

That's what I thought.
Also known as boring music by and for overeducated upper-middle-class white people.

this whole concept of being "overeducated" is a little bizarre - "I don't trust this guy, he's LEARNED too much"

things white people hate

-- gershy, Sunday, 16 March 2008 22:06 (Yesterday) Link

1. themselves

http://www.buffettworld.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15736&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=bcc66c9b8229b6a309bf514028a1d295

This note just
came out today from Scott Crawford, head honcho at Harp Magazine:

My apologies for the mass email, but I wanted to let you know about
Harp's current situation. It's with a really heavy heart that I even
have to write this. As many of you know, our cash flow had slowed
recently. Due to various factors, including the current newsstand
magazine slump, the majority shareholders of Guthrie Inc. Harp's
parent company, have decided to declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy
effective next week.

It's been an honor to work with all of you—and I have learned much in
the process. I couldn't have done this magazine without you. Please
let me know if there's anything I can do for you. If you have any
further questions don't hesitate to get in touch with me at this
email address.

Maybe I'll see you in the trenches again someday.

-overeducated- I'll take a stab at it.

I think it means you see yourself as superior, or "smarter" due to your education. Therefore your opinion is more valid.
This leads to a disdain of things seen as "common".
Obviously there is nothing wrong with being educated and learning as much as one can.

I'll admit it's a cheap shot.

How does that trail lead to Ryan Adams?

"they're dumb rock music, but we like them anyway!"

Somebody should be pummeled for coming up with this idea.

We've got metal and hard rock and 'classic' rock supporters on ilx using a broad brush to criticize current indie-rock fans and editors/critics as being over-educated or ninnies, and Paste magazine's mainstream indie editors describing ZZ Top and AC/DC as dumb rock music that they like anyway.

None of this is very surprising (yes, a number of us, me included are often predictable).

'Paste' always seems to be the most appropriate magazine title on the rack.

Maybe someone could step into the void with an e-zine (cuts down on costs), Beige.

I don't know that many folks are clamoring for a New York Times Book Review for new music, but I for one would be up for seeing a magazine that actually weighed pros and cons (and not just pros) and refused to use any verbiage used in a particular record's press release.

We've got metal and hard rock and 'classic' rock supporters on ilx using a broad brush to criticize current indie-rock fans and editors/critics as being over-educated or ninnies

"Irritating, isn't it?" said the guy with the Ph.D.

I still think ease in distribution hurts many struggling mags. I've no trouble finding Shotgun Weekly, MAD, Rolling Stone or any number of lifestyle publications at the supermarket, but regular appearance of music mags other than Guitar World in a cellophane bag with a DVD you must buy for 11.95, remains iffy. One wonders how much publishers have to pay for rack space.

There seems to be only so much rack space available for magazines in supermarkets. Not sure any niche genre music magazine could get in even if they had lotsa bucks.

Yeah, sadly, niche music doesn't seem to gin up the interest like niche guns, ammo, computer games, and sports cars pubs.

most gun magazines are highly entertaining and informative. can't say the same for most music mags.

oops that was me

Maybe Maria thinks they're highly entertaining and informative too!

for some reason, the hospital gets multiple copies of this in its waiting rooms and all i can say is BEST MAGAZINE EVER. PASTE WISHES:

http://www.thefield.co.uk/imageBank/cache/m/mar08_-_cover_e_4ad8211a57e5f6a3369454d1b43c439c.jpg

yes how does one keep a pig in style

Beretta 471 Silver Hawk - vs - Wilco

YOU BE THE JUDGE!

http://www.thefield.co.uk/imageBank/b/Beretta_Silver_Hawk.jpg

http://gentlegraffiti.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/wilco_segal-bio1.jpg

http://rcrdlbl.com/files/rblog_images/the_field_1.jpg

From the newest issue of The Field.

Bondage in the garden – whip and lash your plants into shape.

My kind of magazine.

What we need is an Oprah or Rachael Ray marketed mag...something RYAN ADAMS Monthly or maybe now Zooey Deschanel Monthly (I assume women sell better than men, which is why Gene Simmons and Trump haven't been able to pentrate like Martha)...they need to get a TV show and include tips on how to polish your MP3 player and flat screen TV....keep your beard wild and whatever lifestyle tips apply...it will suck, but maybe they could have a column or two about music somewhere... or am I just projecting what Rolling Stone will look like when it's "improved" from its current state?

Just think someday we'll all remember the prime years of Rolling Stone as 2000-2008...I need a nap.

That The Field mag looks pretty snazzy. Check out Diabetes Monthly. Great articles on amputation and how to avoid...my doctor's office is awesome.

Oh boy just what we needed, Harp editors launching another white-bread indie digital magazine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2008

BLURT IT OUT LOUD!
HARP EDITORS LAUNCH BLURT, AN INNOVATIVE NEW MUSIC DIGITAL-MAGAZINE AND WEBSITE

SILVER SPRING, MD. Founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Harp Magazine Scott Crawford today announced the launch of BLURT, a new music digital-magazine and accompanying website www.BLURT-online.com. Joined by Managing Editor Fred Mills, Senior Editor Randy Harward, Associate Editor Andy Tennille and Contributing Editor A.D. Amorosi, BLURT will raise the bar for modern music and entertainment magazines by combining insightful features, irreverent interviews, relentless reviews, and first-class design standards.

"Urged on by the industry and its artists, we've managed, in the few short months since Harp's demise this past spring, to create an online destination in BLURT that expands on our coverage of music and culture in ways that were never possible in the print world," Crawford says. "Launching a digital-magazine enables us to combine the technological advantages inherent online with the compelling design aesthetics that Harp readers have come to expect. It's a new world out there, but creatively, I've never been more excited about the possibilities."

Joan As Policewoman graces the cover the BLURT Digital-Magazine debut issue, which also includes feature stories on My Morning Jacket, Ray Davies, My Brightest Diamond, and Alejandro Escovedo, as well as profiles of artists such as Whiskeytown, Tapes 'n Tapes, American Princes, The Ettes, Centro-matic, Martha Wainwright, Juliana Hatfield, Mia Doi Todd, Sally Shapiro, and A Big Yes and a small no. More than 50 albums are reviewed in the BLURT Digital-Magazine inaugural issue, including Spiritualized's Songs in A&E, Fleet Foxes' self-titled debut, Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs, Solomon Burke's Like a Fire, Howlin Rain's Magnificent Fiend, Elvis Costello and the Imposters' Momofuku, and the deluxe edition reissue of Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville. There are also sections for reviews of books and DVDs plus essential music-lovers' lifestyle merchandise.

"BLURT Digital-Magazine will be free to subscribers and available nine times a year at www.BLURT-online.com," Crawford adds. "We believe BLURT Digital-Magazine's green-minded, digital-only format will set the standard for how digital-magazines can heighten the consumer experience by offering fully interactive and searchable content including exclusive performance and interview videos, MP3s, podcasts and more."

In addition to the debut of the digital-magazine, www.BLURT-online.com launches today, offering visitors up-to-the-minute daily news, abundant additional features and reviews (including over 100 additional CD, book, DVD, and concert reviews), plus various video channels broadcasting exclusive video interviews and performances by The Black Keys, Alejandro Escovedo, and Devotchka, as well as an entertaining, behind-the-scenes look at cover artist Joan as Policewoman's photo shoot. Furthermore, BLURT is proud to announce blog contributions from esteemed critic and former Village Voice Music Editor Chuck Eddy (Singles Again, celebrating vinyl), singer-songwriter Chris Lee (Say It Ain't Soul, for songwriters), Triple-A veteran and former XM Music Director Kate Bradley (Cut Through the Noise, industry rants and raves) as well as ongoing political opinions from artists as diverse as songwriter James McMurtry, Anti-Flag's Justin Sane, antifolker Ed Hamell (a/k/a Hamell on Trial) and Grace Potter (of Grace Potter & the Nocturnals), with more to be announced.

ABOUT BLURT: Brought to you by the creative team behind the lauded Harp Magazine (called "America's best music magazine" by NPR's Bob Boilen and "the best music magazine in the country and the one that musicians always read" by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl), BLURT will raise the bar for modern music and entertainment magazines and websites by combining insightful features, irreverent interviews, relentless reviews, and first-class design standards. Visit us at www.BLURT-online.com.

For more information, contact:

Scott Crawford, Editor-in-Chief

It appears to be just Harp 2.0 online. A Xchuck E. blog should be fun, but most of that sounds like the same stuff you can read elsewhere.