| URL | www.blaremagazine.com |
|---|---|
| Type of site | Music webzine |
| Launched | 2009 |
BLARE Magazine, usually known simply as BLARE, is a Toronto-based daily Internet publication devoted to artist interviews, music commentary and supporting unsigned/emerging musicians from Canada, the United States and other countries. Although its general focus is on rock music, the range of musical genres covered includes indie rock, pop punk, hardcore punk, pop and hip hop.
Established in January 2009, the site is run by a group of young Canadian journalists and photographers[1] who are attached to the college/university crowd. The website has been praised as a rising Canadian entertainment resource that represents the music taste of today's youth from an alternative perspective that's both informative and edgy.
Contents |
BLARE was created in London, Ontario, Canada in 2009 by Joshua Khan, then just out of college (Conestoga College)[2]. As a Journalism graduate, Khan used his experience as a freelance writer for the Austin-based publication Soundcheck Magazine and influences by publications such as Spin Magazine and Blender Magazine to establish a Canadian resource for independent music. As several college and high school colleagues showed interest, the idea of the website started to take flight. First named NOISE, the site had to change their title due to a conflict with a French publication of the same name. The result ended up being BLARE, meaning "to blare music".
Since its start date, BLARE has operated with writers from different cities such as Barrie, Manitoulin Island, Ottawa and Peterborough. A majority of the staff now resides in Toronto, creating editorial content while balancing university studies and related day jobs.
The average age of staff is 21 years old.
With a focus on showcasing unsigned artists and emerging talent, BLARE has played a part in exposing artists such as Drake[3], Lights[4] and Cage The Elephant[5].
Some of the artists that have been featured and support BLARE include: Metric, Billy Talent, Our Lady Peace, K-OS, Wolfmother, Tegan And Sara, Broken Social Scene, Sum 41, Florence and the Machine, Weezer, Sloan, Every Time I Die, Them Crooked Vultures, Circa Survive, Taking Back Sunday, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Wavves, Manchester Orchestra, Thrice, Tokyo Police Club, Underoath, Gallows, Person L, Good Old War, Bedouin Soundclash, Two Door Cinema Club, Jenny and Johnny and Anberlin.