Finding Music, Finding Time, Finding Connection
by Loren Green, Editor
Running a webzine like Scene Point Blank is an ongoing challenge – finding inspiration, time, and making sure we keep up with publishing new stuff in balance with having a real life. I spent the better part of a year thinking about how our staff could talk about Scene Point Blank turning 20 while not thinking about what I’d like to say about it personally. I haven’t been at SPB for the full 20, but I spent that year chatting online with Matt, who helped to build what you see today way back in 2003 when he was still living with his parents. And that’s where it hit me. I keep doing this because I love to write and I love music and it’s a good way to keep me going with both of those passions as I deal with life’s bullshit. It’s not an escape; it’s a base and a safe space. But it’s also been a connection to others.
It’s talking with Matt and the rest of the team constantly. Sometimes we chat about bands and interviews and records. But half the conversation is about life. I’ve made friendships here with people I’ve never met, with people I’ve never seen beyond a social media photo or two. When I rarely interact with Matt outside of the written word, I’m always surprised when I hear his accent, even though I’ve known he’s from the UK for over a decade. We know each other, yet we don’t.
As the site ages – ahem, I mean “matures” – new struggles arise. New technology, a changing music industry, and our own busy lives give us a lot of different points of view as writers come and go (and sometimes come back again). As our Year End lists highlight, this is a diverse team with wide ranging tastes. It’s really interesting to see the Venn diagram where it all comes together. We’re a team of somewhat like-minded individuals who also have some very different ideas about what makes good music. Somehow, we pull it all together and find connection because we share this common passion about putting our thoughts about art into words that support both our own little niche webzine but, also, a worldwide community of artists who are doing this because they love it.
Life is hard. It’s always changing. We change as we grow. I’m not writing this to slight anyone who makes content to earn a buck. But I want to stress that Scene Point Blank always approaches this as fans first. We aren’t a blog. We aren’t a magazine. We aren’t part of a matrixed corporation. We call ourselves a webzine because we’re fans first. We do this for personal reasons. And those personal reasons connect us. I love that I have an outlet, but I also love that I can chat with people from across this troubled planet, sometimes complete strangers, and find connection through music and words.
To this date, I’ve only met one SPB writer in person (not counting friends I’ve recruited). Scottie, it was super cool to meet you at either FEST 5 or FEST 6. I look forward to trips to Europe, the UK, Canada, and beyond where someday I’ll meet more of you. Because 20 (now 21) years of Scene Point Blank is an accomplishment, but these experiences will continue to guide me whatever happens next. And I’ll probably have headphones on through the journey.
