A brand new print journal is ready to launch, based mostly in Manchester, based to counter the London-centric narrative that usually dominates music journalism.
SEEN has been based by Tunde Adekoya, Kamila Rymajdo and Balraj Samrai, all music trade professionals who’re based mostly in Manchester.
Funding has been supplied from Arts Council England and Manchester Music Metropolis for the undertaking, which was conceived in 2021 with a daring anti-racist manifesto. SEEN’s purpose is to rejoice unheard voices, hoping that communities can narrate their very own tales and heritage, while connecting with international scenes linked to Britain’s colonial historical past.
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“Print magazines are like archives of experiences; what was, what’s and what might be,” explains Adekoya. “I suppose we felt that there was an absence of those experiences being documented by the worldwide majority of actual individuals who make Britain what it’s – a cultural melting pot.”
The primary concern celebrates Manchester music, and is accompanied by a launch on October 29 at Certain Artwork Ebook Truthful at The Whitworth. It spotlights the migration journey of Somalia hailing musician HMD and DJ Paulette, who has written about the necessity to unionise DJing. Additionally explored within the first concern are musical scenes which evoke the sensation of belonging and pleasure, resembling the town’s fledgling amapiano motion and its provision for Manchester’s South African group. There’s additionally a reflective account of the UK’s South Asian undergrounds.
There’s been deep thought into all facets of the journal, from the content material, to the print’s placement, to contemplating those that produce work for it, too: “We have been desirous about placing the print journal elsewhere; areas the place you wouldn’t normally anticipate to see it – in addition to areas you’ll – going into the communities the place individuals stay who’re being written about, to allow them to get celebrated nearer to residence,” says Samrai.
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“There’s additionally not a lot regulation round how freelancers are handled inside the media; there’s no minimal wage with regards to pay, so what we wished to do is guarantee individuals are paid a good wage,” provides Rymajdo.
On the Certain Artwork Ebook truthful, SEEN will current a panel dialogue with the three founders and writers Tayyab Amin and Santina Robinson, whose work options within the first concern.
Pre-order might be out there quickly to get your arms on the debut concern, which you’ll be able to preserve a watch out for here. Should you’re fascinated with attending the launch occasion, you’ll be able to register here.
Niamh Ingram is Mixmag’s Weekend Editor, observe her on Twitter
