World Music, So-called: "Paste" Goes The "World"

world music, so-called

"Paste" Goes The "World"

Just two days after pondering the idea of "world music" via The Believer's new music issue, I ran across an actual music mag jumping into the same pool. The August issue of Paste is dubbed "The International Issue," with a cover a drawing of a spike-haired Chinese punk (red-yellow color scheme, Andy Beta's feature on the state of the country's rock) screaming into a mike. "Redefining World Music," says the caption. Nothing else beyond the logo, price info, and UPC symbol are on the cover. I've barely thumbed through it, but whatever you think of Paste, that's a pretty bold move. Give them credit for trusting their audience enough to take the chance. [Paste]

9:45 AM on Wed Jul 16 2008
By Michaelangelo Matos
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6 comments

Comments

by MayhemintheHood at 11:54 AM on 07/16/08
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I can't tell if this is sarcasm, especially the last sentence.
by exposition at 02:54 PM on 07/16/08
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I bought it and it's pretty good. Did you know Ken Stringfellow is fronting a Norwegian garage band?
by Michaelangelo Matos at 05:56 PM on 07/16/08
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@MayhemintheHood: Why would I bother, honestly? Come on.
by Josh Mock at 06:01 PM on 07/16/08
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Maybe I'm not the average Paste reader, but I didn't even notice/care that there was nothing else on the cover other than the one feature. All I saw was a funny painting before I put the mag in my "to read" pile. Not THAT bold a move if you ask me.
by owenmeany at 05:05 AM on 07/17/08
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Not bold at all. If they'd mentioned the artists they actually did stories on, the average Paste reader would've gone, "Huh?"
by exposition at 10:26 AM on 07/17/08
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@owenmeany: Really? I'd think putting Diplo and Conor Oberst on the cover would've sold more than a few copies.