Wed Oct 02 17:24:44 UTC 2024: ## Chicago’s Zine Scene Booms with New Music Publications

**Chicago, IL -** While Chicago’s music scene has always been vibrant, a recent surge in independently published zines is giving rise to a new era of music journalism in the city. From the charmingly crude “Around Town With the 1086” covering heavy music to the professional-looking “Portable Model” featuring diverse perspectives on music, these zines offer a fresh take on the local and international music scene.

“It kind of seems like there’s more music zines than what I remember there being in the past decade or so,” says Liz Mason, manager of Quimby’s Bookstore, a major hub for zines in Chicago. “But here’s the other thing: That doesn’t mean that they weren’t there. It just means that they found us to consign them.”

These zines are not just about music; they are about community. Miranda Reinert, founder of “Portable Model,” emphasizes the power of collaboration and the freedom that being based in Chicago provides. Tony Assimos, owner of Tone Deaf Records, finds his zine builds connections with customers and deepens his involvement in the local punk scene.

“It’s really been nice,” says Mike Brizendine, creator of “Blast of Power.” “When you move out of state—and multiple states—it’s tough, especially at an older age, to find a core group of friends. Thankfully the zine and hardcore have helped me do that in Chicago.”

These zines are also serving as a platform for emerging musicians. Kai Slater’s “Hallogallo” not only documented Chicago’s youth indie-rock scene but also played a role in its growth. “COVID happened, and there really was a sense of, like, trying to figure out how we could have a creative way to boost the creative community in Chicago, boost young musicians, [and] give us an image,” Slater says.

As the local music scene thrives, so does the zine scene. From established publications like “Around Town” to newcomers like “Static! Revival” and “A Document of a Chicago Music Community,” these zines are not only documenting but also shaping Chicago’s music landscape. With new releases appearing regularly, it is clear that the future of music journalism in Chicago is DIY, diverse, and full of potential.

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