For as long as I can remember I have always been a proponent of the D.I.Y philosophy, never more so than when I founded my own micro-press in the mid 80s. At that time, in Canada at least, publishing was largely controlled by two groups: large corporate publishing houses, and government funded, University based presses. They did not welcome my small, independent publications then, and still do not welcome them now. This, of course, has never stopped me from publishing. As I have witnessed media being concentrated in the hands of the corporate few (and manipulated by their agendas), never has the need for an independent, vibrant media been more important than it is right now.
Perhaps this is what attracted me to Kill Ugly Radio in the first place. While so much media was taking a hard turn to the right, KUR drove straight through all perceived hypocrisy with irreverence and humor.
As my chosen links attest, it’s my aim to bring a new and vibrant view of counter culture to the new KUR — not only through music but zines and micro-press publications in all their myriad manifestations (even a particular favorite composer will make appearances where relevant).
Of course, I’m open to any and all suggestions. KUR is a community best served when it drops the KUR Crew a comment about what it likes and dislikes.
This is going to be fun.
is there anything that is counter culture any more?
burning man, perhaps.
what other examples can you cite?
the 60s counter culture emerged because living was inexpensive.
these days it would seem almost impossible to be creative.
a counter culture, even mildly popular, would almost certainly be absorbed by corporate culture.
so, what is counter culture these days?
Very good news, Urban. By the way I have been told that – for young groups or individuals- making a CD is much cheaper than making a vinyl record was in the 80ties. Thus : they should be plentiful.
As for writing: why not combining all your ideas related to one broad subject ion one book, an e book? You don’t sell it, it’s available for free. I did it a couple of years ago, in bteween two labour contracts, it took me 3,5 months : on a possible future for social democracy ( in EU ) & sustainable development, focussing on the role of public authorities to enable developments; See :
http://www.socdeminalhaarstaten.be/
A good point, jane23. And I would go even further and ask: Was there ever a counter culture? Well, it depends on which way you define it, of course. If there was a counter culture, it was eaten by society anyway.
Many former squatters own their own houses now. Many so called members of the counter culture I know/knew were drug addicts. Their minds were so blurry, it was hard to have a propper conversation.
Absorbed by corporate culture. so very right.
If you think about it, counter culture is anything that currently goes counter to the prevailing culture. Yes, sure, much of the counter culture of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s were gobbled up by corporate culture, repackaged, and then sold back to them as something new and hip. This doesn’t mean that counter culture doesn’t exist, one just needs to look for it before it, too, is consumed. Where to find it? In the present. It’s happening all around you. Not everyone is a corporate clone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sooner or later that person will need to burst out. Where will he or she go for their fix?