Being around since 1952 just doesn’t cut it anymore
How the mighty have fallen. Music fans who grew up with the NMEas their weekly magazine fix (once they'd graduated from Smash Hits) may find it hard to believe that the magazine now sells less than 30,000 issues a week.
That’s one-10th of what it sold during its storied hey-day.
Yet even die-hard readers have long abandoned the title. While the magazine valiantly points to the huge numbers who read the website, the weekly print edition is the NME's standard-bearer and its demise now appears sadly inevitable.
Too many changes and botched relaunches have scuppered any residual fondness towards the inkie. Even those who loathed the NMEwith a passion have moved onto other targets like Pitchfork(and probably On the Record).
Of course, the NMEisn't alone in this regard. The majority of print publications are feeling the pinch as readers migrate online. Once upon a time, the NMEconsidered other weeklies like Soundsand Melody Makerto be its rivals. Today, it's up against a million Wordpress blogs or Tumblr pages and there will never be one winner.
The problem for the NMEis that the brand it spent decades building up doesn't have the same cachet online as in print. In the land of plenty that is music coverage on the internet, it's word of mouth, quality content and editorial integrity rather than the fact that you've been around since 1952 which matters most.
The NMEsquandered a lot of goodwill during the last 15 years when it wasn't sure what it was supposed to be and, although current editor Kriss Murison has managed to right some of those wrongs of late, the onerous task of refloating the ship may be beyond her powers. The New Morrissey Expressis dead, long live the New Morrissey Express.
New Music
FAMILY OF THE YEAR
Lush, infectious forthcoming single St Croixis going to get a lot of folks excited about the Los Angeles-based band with roots in Wales, Florida and Orange County. Much of the prep-work has been done via releases like Songbook and tours supporting The Antlers and others.
Familyoftheyear.net
COLOSSAL GOSPEL
Debut album Circlesis what's causing a bit of a stir about Alabama duo Stephen Weibert and Chris Johnson. For fans of strong songwriting, traditional Southern folk, gospel frills and dusty, melodic, heart and soul magnificence.
Colossalgospel.bandcamp.com
EAGULLS
Leeds-based bolshy lads who already possess a highly commendable ability for making a bit of a racket with a strong hummability edge to the proceedings.˜ New tune, the brilliantly squalling Possessed, is the perfect soundtrack for a late-night stomp through your local badlands.
Facebook.com/eagulls
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