24-7 Artzine

Vol. 2, #4 (PO Box 41234, Providence, RI 02940)
by Kerry Joyce

Every city in America should have something like 24-7 Artzine. It’s free, it’s got a glossy cover, and the text is printed on high-quality paper in a layout style that’s both fun and easy on the eyes. The writers, happily, aren’t miserably underpaid flacks for some brand consumerism or another. From all appearances, 24-7 is everything it aspires to be. These aren’t head changers or world beaters (you don’t move to Providence RI if your goal is to conquer the world), just artists and writers reveling in the delightful. 24-7‘s brand of accessible artiness is never self-conscious or preachy. There’s plenty of wit and first-rate writing which includes fiction by John Kilkelly, whose story, “Pawtucket 11:00 p.m.,” appears in this issue of Lollipop. This issue includes an interview with Matt Sharp of Weezer, and thorough coverage of Providence’s visual arts scene. It includes photos and illustrations independent of written articles. There’s also lots of poetry, which normally scares me off – my philosophy on poetry is that the good stuff is worth the effort, but I usually hate exerting myself, even for a good cause. Fortunately, the poetry in 24-7 is a fairly effortless undertaking, and the subject matter is easy reading that actually includes humor and may even affirm something. So if you’re down in Providence on Thayer Street, in a bar or coffee house, keep an eye peeled for 24-7 Artzine. If Providence isn’t on your itinerary and you don’t measure the quality of a ‘zine by its shock value or how high it scores on the attitude meter, if you don’t think American culture started with the Brady Bunch and ended with the Ramones, send off a buck or two for a sample issue. Who knew cutting edge could feel so good?