Bearded Magazine returns

Bearded magazine

Independent publisher starts pushing the Borders

Independent publishing has seen something of a surge in recent times. Today marks the launch of another small title onto mainstream newsstands as independent music magazine Bearded reaches the shelves of over 1,000 stores nationwide.

Available in outlets such as WHSmith and Borders, Bearded – published by tiny London publisher Fleeing from Pigeons – is dedicated entirely to independent record labels and artists and prints on high-quality, 100% recycled heavyweight paper stock. The magazine has a unique art direction, with artists as well renowned as David Shrigley and Paul Davis contributing to previous issues.

In a recent blog post, Publisher and Editor Gareth Main explained Bearded’s objectives in a stagnated marketplace:

“First and foremost, Bearded is for people in the independent music industry – people from the ones stuck in their bedroom putting together a 7″ that nobody will hear through to the people who have struck lucky but continue to have an independent attitude to the music they produce.

“It isn’t a case of disliking major labels… it is simply because we believe that major labels have all the tools to promote their releases at their disposal whereas that guy in his bedroom doesn’t. The man amongst the boxes of 7″ records doesn’t have a few grand to spend on PR, another few grand to spend on marketing and advertising, then another few grand to get the records all pressed up and distributed. Bearded is about levelling out the playing field – offering advertising in a nationally distributed magazine for a percentage of the price of major publishing houses, writing up pretty much everything we receive and writing features on artists who have never even had someone take the time to ask a few questions.”

After launching originally in August 2007, the February issue is the fifth release of Bearded. Previous artists featured include Matt Berry, Misty’s Big Adventure and The Fiery Furnaces. The latest issue includes features on Animal Collective, Andrew Bird, Dent May & his Magnificent Ukulele, Asobi Seksu and many more.

To celebrate, Bearded are hosting a relaunch party tonight at The Macbeth in Shoreditch. The event was The Guardian Guide’s pick of the week this week and features live performances from Allez Allez, Ratface, Beestung Lips and Ice, Sea, Dead People.

To get your copy, you can find your nearest stockist from www.beardedmagazine.co.uk.

For more information on Bearded, email Gareth Main at gareth.main at beardedmagazine.co.uk