Pawn Records, a multimedia publisher, record label, and independent show producer in Cebu, recently released the maiden issue of Dispop — a fanzine covering the music scene in Visayas.
According to a statement on Pawn Records’ website, Dispop is not a zine, but “a 90-page indictment against the incorrect and improper use of the word ‘counterculture’.” They continue: “It is our response to a poorly-written and misguided article written about the local music scene. Of course, as regular gig-goers and organizers ourselves, we got to have our say as well on the matter. And as petty as we are, of course, we bit.
The first issue of Dispop contains music reviews, essays, and interviews featuring musical acts like Marcid, Awkward Dancer, Gleam, Vedas, Offals, Flowr, and The Pervs. The zine also covers gig organizers, labels, collectives, photographers, and videographers — all of whom Pawn Records names as cornerstones of the Visayan music scene.
“We also think that making a fanzine opens up a more in-depth dialogue and exchange between artists and fans, performers and spectators…” Pawn Records wrote in an Instagram post. “For example, we will try to posit pressing inquiries like ‘As artists, how can we help in making the scene more inclusive?’ or ‘From a fan’s perspective, how do I upset the power structure or hierarchy imposed by mainstream media?’”
Before Dispop, there was Still No Direction, Pawn Records’ former official fanzine from 2018, its second and last issue published in 2019. In response to what they felt was a lack of media coverage on the local music scene and the challenge of facing paywalls and ads to read about music, Pawn Records resorted to zine publishing with Dispop.
Dispop can be accessed on Pawn Records’ website.
