Four different drum magazines seen recently at the Bakersfield Barnes & Noble.It's no secret that the print publishing business -- be it newspapers, magazines or books -- is undergoing massive struggles.
But I never cease to be amazed at the pockets of resilience that surface here and there.
The photo above would lead you to believe Bakersfield is overrun not only by drummers but drummers who can read (that's a little musicians' joke there--as a recovering drummer, I have the stripes to say it).
Take a step back, though, and you see these kinds of magazines are surrounded by countless others focused on guitarists, recording techniques and DJing. Many are imported from Britain, where the magazine business still seems to have legs.
When music itself is ever digital, why the wide appeal of analog products? Maybe it's because the magazines include printed music or instructional DVDs (such as how to play Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters"). Maybe it's that most of the interviews go on for pages and pages, something mainstream publications frown on to appease short-attention spans or space restrictions.
Whatever the secret, there's something to celebrate.
P.S. Rhythm is one kick-butt magazine. Worth a read whether you drum or not.