I mentioned it in today’s headline that I have been pondering the idea of doing VAJ again. It’s been 6 years since I closed the doors on that magazine. At the time, I had decided that the magazine needed to be closed because I had given up on the music scene in Moncton. Maybe it was a stage in my life I was going through. I do know that at the time, it seemed like every last piece of music I heard in this city was garbage. Complete and total crap. I had decided that it was time to move on and do something else.
But alas, life changes. Recently, as most of you know, I’ve been going on a lot about this Tormented reunion show. I’ve been in touch with one of the show promoters and he’s been very interested in all of the stuff I used to do when I was heavily into the indie scene. It got me to thinking again about how much I actually enjoyed doing the magazine. There were a lot of ups and downs about doing VAJ but one of the things I enjoyed the most was the fact that there was so much to do. Listening to CD’s and reviewing the best and worst parts about a bands sound. Finding the best ways to organize all of the material into a nice printed format. There were a ton of things I had to do. But I guess the best part about the entire thing was that I was helping the indie scene. Something that tends to get forgotten in many cities.
A lot of people may not realize it, but most major cities have a thriving underground music scene. A lot of times, there’s no promotion, or places to play, but the scene is still there. In Moncton, back in the early 90’s, it was a major scene. Bands played shows all the time and there were so many bands and shows it was hard to keep track. It was prime time.
I just recently learned that there does appear to still be a scene here in the city. I’m not sure how thriving it is but there do seem to be more bands. I think a lot of the crowd from the early 90’s are still doing the band things but they are a bit more serious about what they are doing now. I don’t see or here about these lame teenage bands that last for a month or so.
Anyway, my point is, I’ve been wondering about doing the magazine again. It was something I really enjoyed doing and have often thought about going back to doing it again, but it’s all a matter of finding the time, and trying to find a way to get myself back into the scene. Above all else, I have to figure out whether it’s something I really want to do.
I dug out a CD and found a copies of the first 13 issues of VAJ on it. I dug through some of it and it’s interesting to see how the magazine progressed through it’s 5 year run. What a major change. I learned so much during those 5 years that if I were to start it up again, I would have a much better idea of how to go about putting material together, and how to get everything very well done. Plus, I’d do my best to keep th sense of humour that made the magazine unique. Although it does piss me off that one of the local radio stations makes up their own horoscopes. VAJ did that long before they were even a thought!
So, I thought about what to do. I did come up with one idea. I thought maybe I could take the electronic versions of VAJ that I already have (Issues 1-13), and make a “Best Of” issue that would be brought up to date. Make it look as nice and cool as I can and see how it turns out. If I found that I really enjoyed working on it again, maybe that would be one way I could know if I should start on the zine again. I mean, I’d still write some new material but mostly use the old stuff that I had, just to see if I still had it in me for making a decent mag. It’s a good thought.
I also think that it’s very possible I’m just feeling very nostalgic since Tormented is doing a reunion and it brings back all of the memories of those days, which included the magazine. I guess I’ll just have to figure something out.
So there. I’ve had my say.
