Return of the zine: Welcome Jingweir
From Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zine
A zine ( /ˈziːn/ zeen; an abbreviation of fanzine, or magazine) is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier.
We haven’t really had a ‘zine in Beijing since the untimely demise of “8 inches of Arsehole” which was a brilliant piece of writing by a hero of the Beijing music scene that has long left us. A couple of weeks ago, I received emails informing me of the upcoming release of a new ‘zine asking for some information about the blog which i provided. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Sunday afternoon, while at Hot Cat Club for a Jue Festival Country Workshop, low and behold what i found: the ‘zine in question, Jingweir, sitting pretty next to the usual expat rags.
This is the second issue and it’s got a pretty decent round up of Beijing music blogs from both the bloggers’ perspective and what the folks at Jingweir think about them. The guys behind it, as I understand, were connected the now defunct Beijing Noise blog and are also putting together shows/releases to support the ‘zine ( or vice versa). I’m hoping this one sticks around for a little while.. I’m a romantic on these things and seeing it on a table just takes me back down memory lane.
They seem to be covering the same scene as Pangbianr at the moment with a focus on indie/noise/DIY stuff which is good news i guess for folks that follow that particular scene. Maybe it will help fill a gap while D-22’s successor gets ready for primetime.
Thanks for the kind words on ‘daze, guys… but really, really, we’re BIASED