ZINESTER Interview with the makers of TRINITY

Hello again! And again! Here's another zinester interview! This is pretty exciting. Meet the makers of the visal art and aesthetics zine, Trinity.

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

Our zine titled "Trinity" is focused on visual art and aesthetics. Our theme is based off of three main concepts: spirituality, nature, and the human body.

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

About three years ago we participated in a zine titled "porqueria" with a group of people from both Las Cruces and El Paso. It was about POC feminist and queer issues/ being the thing ur grandma shakes her head at.

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

1. We kind of influence each other. We had some art classes together in college and wanted to continue working together.

2. Generally our group is interested in exploring spirituality outside of organized religion, so it makes sense that it became part of our theme.

3. Love and Rockets

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

A self published, DIY book about anything and everything!

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

One of the most challenging things about making a zine is being brave enough to put your work out there. Also putting it together can be a hassle. From gathering everyone's work to actually printing- it can be a bit stressful. We really enjoy getting to collaborate and seeing the finished product tho. It's also really rewarding when people are interested and able to relate to content in the zine.

Why are zines important?

Zines are important because they give people the chance to see things that normally wouldn't be published.



Thanks!

ZINESTER Interview with: SHELBY CRISWELL

We're back ! Just over about a week to go, folx!  Next in our zinester interview series we'll hear from Shelby Criswell!

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

 A lot of my work revolves around trans issues and just being a human in general. I will have a table full of comix ranging from cute to funny and serious to "Oh shit, I need to shut up and listen to what this person has to say."

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?


I made my first zine when I was six years old. My dad was a graphic designer so he helped me format the book and print them. They were just a bunch of drawings of my family and bands that I enjoyed like (don't laugh) Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach.



Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection?

 Rebecca Artesmisa's super rad fold out zines are sooooo pretty! I wish I had the ability and patience to sit down and make all of those. The fortune teller fold out zine is definitely my fav!



What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

 I think the most challenging is formatting the book to print right and folding them just perfect, which is also the most tedious part of the whole process. It makes me want to throw up and poop my pants at the same time. But after making them for so long, it kind of comes naturally and folding 200 zines in one sitting becomes a breeze. I enjoy thinking of a concept for a book. I probably have a notebook with thousands of zine/comic ideas that I have never even got close to making and most likely never will.


Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

My grandfather is for sure the first influence I had, just on my artwork in general because he was an illustrator for Hallmark and I always aspired to be a great cartoonist like him. I can also attribute the other two influences on my zine/comic work to Daniel Clowes whose strange comics made me want to illustrate my own stories and the wonderful people over at Bitch Media because they informed me on a lot of issues and inspired me to talk about them.



What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

 Arts and farts, man.

Why are zines important?

 Publicity. Art for art's sake. Activism. Farts. Poetry. Cuteness/Kawainess. Showing the world you're a groupie. Fame. For being awesome. Communication. Having Senpai notice you.




Thank you, Shelby! 

ZINESTER Interview with: SAMANTHA ANDREWS

Hello, Zine Friends!
Meet Samantha Andrews-- first-time zinester with a BRILLIANT zine we're all going to NEED...

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

I will have copies of my very first zine: The Zinesters Guide to Albuquerque, Issue 1. This issue will focus on East Downtown and Downtown Albuquerque. It will have lots of fun, low-budget places and events to check out in Downtown Abq. The zine will feature vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants, parks, and free things to do. This zine is a perfect gift for someone who is coming to visit Albuquerque for the first time! Or for any Albuquerque enthusiast.



When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

This is my very first zine! Except for maybe zines I made as a kid, but I'd have to ask my mom about what those were like...

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.
My dad has always been an inspiration to me because he just works really hard at everything he does. He has a great work ethic. He always told me that it was ok if I didn't understand something at first, but with time and patience I would get better. I try to emulate that work ethic in many parts of my life. Bikini Kill. Litter Brain. I feel really lucky to be part of this band with a group of awesome girls. They've helped me in so many ways. I love them.

Litter Brain

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Handmade mini magazine.

Do you have a zine crush?

If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection? I love [Tahnee Udero's] High Mija and her Desperate Youth Zine.


What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

Getting started is always the hardest for me. I tend to have a lot of project ideas floating around in my head and it's hard for me to pin one down and focus on it from start to finish. My favorite part of the process has been putting it all together. Once the writing and drawings are finished I love cutting things up and seeing how everything comes together into a complete piece.

Why are zines important?

I think it's important for people to have an outlet for their creativity and zines are a perfect medium for some people. I used to think that creative people are always just creating perfect, beautiful pieces and that's what they have always done. I know now that's not true, but at one point it was a hindrance to me creating anything at all. Zines are a way for me to create imperfect things but still feel really proud of them. It's more about a process for me, like I'm not trying to make a gorgeous, polished publication; It's just fun, silly, and lets me explore new ideas.

Thanks for all your hard work guys!



Thanks, Sam! 

ZINESTER Interview with: NOT LIKE YOU FANZINE

Hey! 

Wow, it's the last day in September. Things are getting REAL. Legit. Check out zinester interview number three with Not Like You Fanzine.

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

I will have issues of my zine Not Like You. It covers punk,hardcore, skateboarding and pretty much anything else I find interesting. I will have issues 2,3,4 and the photo special available. Each issue consists of interviews, record reviews, scene news, photos etc etc  Issue 2 even comes with a 7" compilation record. The interviews include Backtrack, Praise, SNFU, The Faction, Ian Mackaye, BL'AST, Final Conflict and a host of others.




When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

I started Not Like You in early 2014. I needed a creative outlet and had done zines on and off since the Mid 80s. The first issue came out in March of 2014 and featured interviews with 2 members of OCHC band Done Dying, NJHC band Huge, Fred Hammer (a staple of the Southern California Hardcore scene) and Tony Rettman (author of Why Be Something That You're Not and NYHC Books.) It also included record reviews, news, some photos and more

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

My zine work has been influences by classic zines such as Schism, Run It, Boiling Point, No Answers, Hardware, Guillotine, and a host of others, Photographer Glen E. Friedman and his now classic My Rules fanzine, and long time zinester and author Aaron Cometbus.

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Zines are similar to magazines only they have more heart and substance and usually cover way cooler subject matter.

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection?

My lips are sealed.

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

The most challenging thing for me is getting bands to return the interviews they commit to. I have 3 I'm still waiting to get back, one of which was sent in April of 2014. Punk rock is a lot of things, but timely apparently isn't one of them.

I enjoy everything about it. From doing the interviews, to writing record reviews to laying it all out and putting it together. It's creative from start to finish and is almost therapeutic for me to work on.

Why are zines important? 

Zines are just as important as small press books and comics, as it gives a voice to those who otherwise may not be able to publish if not for the platform we print in. They are windows to subject matter many may not be exposed to otherwise and personal zines are often outlets for the creators, that wind up touching the readers in different ways. Plus it so much cooler to sit down to read a zine than just click on a blog online.

So true.
Thanks, NOT LIKE YOU FANZINE

ABQZFV earwig for your eyes!

Video collagist Brian Fejer created this meditation on ABQZFV for us! It’s so much fun. Please watch this visual earwig, and have a great time at zine fest, coming up SO SOON.