Reflection Point : What Have I Learned About Independent Music Magazine Websites?

 Independent Music Magazine websites are utilised by a multitude of publication companies, both new and traditionally print-oriented publishers. These magazine websites have become a relative necessity in the past decade as news, information and entertainment has largely transitioned to the online plain with the introduction and widespread takeover of online media. Subsequently, a majority of print-magazine companies have needed to introduce their own digital publication formats to retain both relevancy and financial buoyancy in recent years. The publishers themselves commonly retain the print-magazine format as their primary focus of advertising and publicity, with their newest issues/back catalogue heavily publicised throughout their websites to garner further attention and likelihood of public intrigue in purchasing their magazines. For many publishers, magazine websites have taken prescience in their financial ethic, as sponsorships and advertisement deals have taken a large role in providing both finance and publicity to the websites. Sometimes this publication of external advertisements has overtaken the publication of the magazine itself in relevancy, showing the development in some companies from a primarily print-based focus, to an almost entirely digital focus.

The designs and contents of independent music magazine websites varies greatly from publisher to publisher, as each individual website utilises a mostly unique aesthetic that often personifies the thoughts and motives of each publisher. For example, certain websites/ magazines follow a defined 'house aesthetic' akin to the designs of their print-publications. The usage of a house design helps to maintain individuality between each website, and help attract targeted audiences through the website layout, colour palette and content showcased on the homepage and beyond. An example of a maintained house aesthetic is with the 'So Young' magazine, which uses a vintage aesthetic throughout its publications (both print and online) in order to appeal to an audience interested and attracted to magazine design/ music made famous in the 1970s/80s. Meanwhile, some other publishers such as Shindig focus primarily on a more modern take of website presentation, which would appeal more so to its futuristic and hip audience over more classical audiences.