July 2003
Brainscan #19, 64p, $2+2 stamps
This is definitely one of my favorite personal zines around. I just think
Alex does a great job writing about her personal life and thoughts in a manner
that is straightforward, honest, and always interesting. This issue is primarily
about the summer of 2002. She compiles some essays about zines, talks about
her experience at the Portland Zine Symposium, becoming a counselor at the
Rock'N'Roll Camp for Girls, as well as her wedding. This one I read straight
through from start to finish and really liked.
Alex Wrekk
PO Box 14332
Portland, OR 97293
brainscanzine@ureach.com
Available through Microcosm
Publishing
--AR
Dear Utah, 48p, odd size(3.5X2.75), $1
Alex Wrekk of Brainscan writes this sweet mini-zine about her hometown, Salt
Lake City, Utah. Like much of her work, the writing is straightforward, honest,
and intelligent. This is mostly how she relates to the idea of this specific
place and her role within it, along with the nostalgic memories of being there.
An enjoyable read.
Alex Wrekk
PO Box 14332
Portland, OR 97293
brainscanzine@ureach.com
Available through Microcosm
Publishing
--AR
Drown, quarter-size, 72p, $6
Another beautiful and dreamy novella from Roxanne M. Carter. Somewhat more
straightforward in style than The Tea Party, this novella concerns
the almost claustrophobic relationship between two women and how it falls
apart. The narrator drops into loneliness and despair, haunted by memories,
dreams, and her search for acceptance and love. The writing is slightly surreal
and lyrically fluid. A very lovely little book.
kore@lip-gloss.org
Also available through 33 1/3 Books in Los Angeles, City
Lights Books in San Francisco, Left
Bank Books in Seattle, and Quimby's
in Chicago
--AR
Interstitial #1, half legal, 30p, $1
Compilation/music zine from the same man who brought you Nufutur.
I still think compilation and music zines are great, even though I didn't
recognize everything inside. There's a humorous article about different types
of mixtapes, information about state sodomy laws, a deviant article about
UPC codes, an interview with The Red Hot Valentines, an article about Warren
Zevon, live reviews, reviews of zines and music, along with plenty more to
explore. This zine gains points for quantity of content and for quality too.
If you're looking for a punk rock zine with bonuses, this one is definitely
recommended.
editor@neufutur.com
http://www.neufutur.com
--AR
Texas On My Mind, 10p, quarter-size
One-shot from James McQuiston of Neufutur. The words are lyrics from a song
by Pat Green, with images compiled by James. The combination and imagery and
text is interesting and well-assembled, though it didn't feel like something
I could immediately relate to without hearing the song or being aware of the
context. Even so, it's a nifty little one-shot.
editor@neufutur.com
http://www.neufutur.com
--AR