THE ARTIFACT OF PRINT
Rock n roll. Freeriders. we are all stories.
The Lightning Magazine is an American counterculture magazine exploring fun-havery across various sub-cultures through immersion style journalism. It was founded to be the vital voice of a vibrant contemporary scene surrounding Lightning’s network of collaborators, with gonzo style articles written by artists, musicians, dirt bikers, gallerists, composers, architects, surfers, poets, and more.
In the first 112 page issue, post minimalist composer Rhys Chatham tells a first person account of the environment and energy of 60’s La Monte Young/Richard Serra Soho NY and how and why that energy moved to the 70’s Avant Garde East Village. Bill Daniel’s contribution picks up here with a photo essay and conversation about Austin Texas’ famed first punk venue Rauls’, including photos from Bad Brains and Butthole Surfers shows. The conversation with Aaron Rose discuses the genesis of the groundbreaking Alleged Gallery in New York in the 90’s that brought together the friends and DIY street artists of the Beautiful Losers art movement.
Rhys’ article ends in present day Williamsburg, where he discusses his collaborations with Oneida, seeing William Tyler play, and the now gone venue Monster Island - also covered in issue one as a multi artist photo essay put together byAndrew Deutsch with accompanying artwork by Maya Hayuk.
All these articles weave intimately with the Lightning Records Album releases. Fat Bobby from People of the North/Oneida discusses memories of Monster Island, and the progression of their studios, the latest Secret Project Robot being the recording location for the Lightning People of The North album. Wooden Wand’s James Toth contributes a hilariously insightful guide to songwriting, and Ohioan’s Ryne Warner writes an essay on Circle K, desert water rights, and the American Spirit Blues.
The first issue also offers additional conversations with Los Angeles based earth artist Katsuhisa Sakai, dirtbike artist Derek Gibson, bmx legend Scott Towne, car sculptor Jesse Sugarmann, desert architect Jesus Robles, gold miner Chris Entz and more
"In-the-moment experience and a sense of adventurousness help to define the mission of Lightning Records, and explain why artists, musicians, athletes and assorted wild-makers all belon under one roof." - Eric Swedlund, Consequence of Sound
Contributors: Dick Dale / Wayne Kramer (MC5) / Mike Watt (Minutemen) / Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith) / Aaron Rose (Alleged Gallery, Beautiful Losers) / Rhys Chatham (100 Guitar Orchestra) / Bill Daniel (Who is Bozo Taxino?) / Bill Frisell / Nels Kline (Wilco) / John Deitrich (Deerhoof) / Maya Hayuk / Seth Olinsky (Cy Dune, Akron/Family) / Ali Beletic / Peter Baer / Eric Block / Paula Court / Andrew Deutsch (Monster Island) / Chris Entz / Fat Bobby (Oneida, People of the North) / Ossian Foley / Derek Gibson / Patrick Gookin / Thor Harris (Swans) / Matt Hummel (the PanAmerican) / Chris Kaplanis (Kalalau) / Chris Keiley / Billy Pfeiffer / Jesus Robles (D.U.S.T.) / Katsuhisa Sakai / Aaron Sperske (Beechwood Sparks) / Jesse Sugarmann / James Toth (Wooden Wand) / Scott Towne / Ryne Warner (Ohioan) / Howard Weulfing (Half-Japanese) / John Wilkinson / Wolfy (Kayrock) / Michael Yun (WL) / Jane Cramer / Pattie / Dave / Kristy Campbell / Jeff Ho (Zephyr)
