Culture Slut #24 / Motor City Kitty #16 / Fanzine Ynfytyn #10 / Sometimes I’m Dreaming #5
Culture Slut #24 / Motor City Kitty #16
By Amber (Canada) amber.norreanATgmail.com (CS) / Bri (USA) motorcity_kittyATyahoo.com (MCK)
Another awesome split zine! I do love it when talented zinesters team up together, it’s like finding out your favourite chocolate bar is on a buy one get one free offer (as happened to me this week) Culture Slut #24 has a lovely hand-illustrated cover starring Amber herself and stylised into a Polaroid frame and this cute first impression continues into the visual layout of the rest of the zine. Illustrations, collages and photographs grace its pages, and the text (type- and computer- written, always clear) is in Amber’s considered, descriptive and inspiringly forthright style. She talks about her dislike at having her work re-published without her permission in Teal Triggs’ recent book (you can read this post for my thoughts on the matter) and how it triggered Amber to reflect on her zine-writing. As a result of this, amongst other reasons, Amber says that she has decided Culture Slut will most likely be an annual zine from here on. Whilst disappointed that there will not be as many regular releases of Culture Slut (since it is one of my favourite zines) I wholeheartedly respect Amber’s decision and the reasons behind it. She also writes about activities she has been undertaking to survive the winter, including learning to screenprint and having lots of orgasms! There is writing on feminism here too, specifically about the role of men within feminism; and at the back you’ll find some zine reviews which should come with a “Temptation Warning” as you'll no doubt be left wanting to place some orders!
Motor City Kitty #16 compliments Culture Slut #24 beautifully, and in it Bri has considered many of the same topics. These include feminism, in this case how infuriating it is to have to defend feminist views to those who like to proclaim feminist beliefs as (for example) “man-hating”, only for the other person to then claim they were just “enquiring” – hear, hear! Bri also shares reflection on zines and how she doesn’t expect to produce new issues as frequently as she has in the past, although of course still loves them. I appreciated both Bri and Amber’s critical thoughts on zines in this split issue, as, as Ani DiFranco once said: “we have to be able to criticise what we love, say what we have to say, cos if you’re not trying to make something better then as far as I can tell you are just in the way” (What If No-One’s Watching). My two favourite things in Motor City Kitty #16 however were the gorgeous cartoon on page 5 (such a cute drawing style!) and Bri’s story of performing in a Bikini Kill cover band – a very inspiring story, and as with the rest of this zine, cleverly laid out and visually satisfying.
Fanzine Ynfytyn #10
By Emma (UK) emmajanefalconerATgmail.com
Yes, I know I reviewed another issue of this zine in my last post, but Emma kindly sent me a large selection of them and they’re all good, so now it’s Fanzine Ynfytyn #10’s chance to shine. This is a travel issue, all about Emma’s trip to Ireland with a ten piece country band, Dolly and the Clothespegs (Emma accompanied them as photographer/cook). The zine reads like a diary, recalling the best times (successful gigs and beach frolics) and those where things were less than ideal (waiting at grim towns for travel connections and feeling irritable after not getting enough sleep). She also tells the reader about Ireland and Irish culture in general – nobody says “top o’ the morning yo ye” anymore and “everyone isn’t walking around being some kind of colourful red-haired alcoholic chancer” (shame). The layout of this issue of Fanzine Ynfytyn is more simple than that of some others, but it’s still visually pleasing and there are lots of photographs to accompany the text and provide names to faces (I always love this in zines as I am nosy!).
Sometimes I’m Dreaming #5
By Lisa (UK) sometimesimdreamingAThotmail.co.uk
Lisa’s first full-length zine since Sometimes I’m Dreaming #4 ½ / Not Lonely #5 ½ in February finds her living uncomfortably with her family, which she writes about with characteristic honesty and delicacy. She describes the sorrow of losing a favourite tree in the garden and feeling unwelcome in her own home with dignity and elegance, and only those with hearts of stone would be left unaffected by it. Lisa also discusses the Enneagram theory of personality types, both in terms of how the apply to her own character and in general – it certainly piqued my interest and I plan to read the books she recommended on the topic soon. Sometimes I’m Dreaming #5 also looks forward to the future, as Lisa articulates her plans for escape and her hopes and fears for getting a job. This zine is an introspective read, but not depressing – Lisa also shares her enthusiasm for her new camera and talks about hobbies she has been enjoying lately. I have always loved Lisa’s visual style and zine layouts and this issue is the most beautiful yet – combining collage, hand-drawn illustrations, pretty backgrounds and rubberstamps to showcase her whimsy and artistic eye. One of my favourite zines of 2011 thus far (and I promise you I’m not just saying that because Lisa is one of my best friends).
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