The Pitchfork Review
 Cover of The Pitchfork Review No. 1 | |
| Editor | J.C. Gabel |
|---|---|
| Categories | Music journalism |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Circulation | Limited to 10,000 |
| Publisher | Christopher Kaskie |
| Founder | Ryan Schreiber |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| First issue | December 14, 2013 |
| Company | Pitchfork Media |
| Based in | Chicago, Illinois |
| Website |
www |
The Pitchfork Review is a quarterly music magazine, available in print only, that includes long-form feature stories, photography, and illustrations, and also includes selected recent pieces from Pitchfork's online content.
Launch
In December 2013, Pitchfork Media debuted The Pitchfork Review, a quarterly print journal focused on long-form music writing and design-focused content.[1] J.C. Gabel, its first editor, previously was the publisher of The Chicagoan and founding publisher of Stop Smiling.[2]
According to the New York Times, Pitchfork Media planned a limited-edition quarterly publication of about 10,000 copies of each issue, perfect bound, and printed on glossy, high-quality 8-by-10¼ paper.[3] It was expected that about two-thirds of the content would be original, with the remaining one-third recycled from the Pitchfork website.[3]
Covering the launch, the International Business Times likened the publication's literary aspirations to The New Yorker and Paris Review, and editorialized:
But as impressive as it is, is it a step back in time for a brand more known for looking ahead? Perhaps, but that doesn't mean it's a step backwards; rather, it can be seen as a show of confidence. And there is reason to believe it could turn a profit. Print still has a currency, in terms of perception and ad revenue, and a well-produced print glossy can still resonate with readers in a way that pixels can't.[4]
The Hollywood Reporter quoted the magazine's creative director as saying that moving into print was "not a nostalgic move, because print has never left our lives," adding that Pitchfork's goal was to "create a permanent object of a moment through music journalism and documentation.... a compendium of what we'll remember from the last few months and what's going through our minds as music fans right now."[5]
Converse was secured as an exclusive advertising partner for the first four issues, and agreed to sponsor a series of 7-inch records included with the 2014 issues of the publication, beginning with No. 2.[1]
Issues
No. 1 (Winter 2013)
The inaugural issue of The Pitchfork Review included original articles about Van Morrison, Otis Redding, Glenn Danzig, and the history of the jukebox, as well as a retrospective on the glory days of the U.K. weekly music press.[1]
No. 2 (Spring 2014)
Among its original pieces, the second issue included a feature article by Franklin Bruno about Game Theory's frontman and songwriter Scott Miller, who died in 2013.[6] Also featured were an appreciation of Ellen Willis, and articles about Kate Bush, Stanley Kubrick, Sun Kil Moon, and Holger Czukay.[7]
A 7-inch split single was included with the second issue, with two exclusive tracks by Kurt Vile and the Lovetones, "Off with His Tongue!" and "Let's Bury the Hatchet," and a B-side, "Meg's Dreamcatcher," from Philadelphia-based punk band Watery Love.[8][9]
No. 3 (Summer 2014)
The third issue, which went on sale July 18, 2014, featured articles about Jason Molina, Don Drummond and Margarita Mahfood, John Fahey, and Joe Tex, as well as short pieces on Kanye West, Weezer, and others.[10] An oral history of Elliott Smith was reprinted from Pitchfork's online content.[10]
The issue included a 7-inch split single by King Tuff and Vermont-based band The Lentils.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nagy, Evie (November 21, 2013). "Pitchfork to launch $19.96 print publication, The Pitchfork Review". Fast Company.
- ↑ "Introducing The Pitchfork Review". Pitchfork. November 21, 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-03-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sisario, Ben (November 21, 2013). "With Pitchfork Review, a Music Site Plants a Flag in Print". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2013-11-25.
- ↑ Zara, Christopher (November 21, 2013). "Pitchfork Media Takes A Stab At Print With The Pitchfork Review: Can It Save Music Magazines?". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 2014-02-03.
- ↑ "Music Site Pitchfork to Launch Quarterly Print Magazine". The Hollywood Reporter. November 22, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-12-10.
- ↑ Bruno, Franklin (Spring 2014). "Blaze of Gl—: Scott Miller: An Appreciation". The Pitchfork Review (2): 88–103. ISBN 9780991399215.
- ↑ "Contents". The Pitchfork Review (2): 4–6. Spring 2014. ISBN 9780991399215.
- ↑ "The Pitchfork Review Issue Two Available Now, Features Kurt Vile/Watery Love Split 7"". April 28, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29.
- ↑ Kurt Vile and the Lovetones & Watery Love (Spring 2014). Off with His Tongue! & Let's Bury the Hatchet b/w Meg's Dreamcatcher. The Pitchfork Review (Limited edition 7" recording) (2): inside back cover. ISBN 9780991399215.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "The Pitchfork Review Issue Three Available at Pitchfork Music Festival, Features King Tuff/The Lentils 7"". Pitchfork. July 18, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-07-18.