Harp Magazine Editors Launch BLURT - New Digital-Magazine and Website

Press release
Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker

Founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Harp Magazine Scott Crawford today announced the launch of BLURT, a new music digital-magazine and accompanying website (www.BLURT-online.com). Joined by Managing Editor Fred Mills, Senior Editor Randy Harward, Associate Editor Andy Tennille and Contributing Editor A.D. Amorosi, BLURT will raise the bar for modern music and entertainment magazines by combining insightful features, irreverent interviews, relentless reviews, and first-class design standards.

"Urged on by the industry and its artists, we've managed, in the few short months since Harp's demise this past spring, to create an online destination in BLURT that expands on our coverage of music and culture in ways that were never possible in the print world," Crawford says. "Launching a digital-magazine enables us to combine the technological advantages inherent online with the compelling design aesthetics that Harp readers have come to expect. It's a new world out there, but creatively, I've never been more excited about the possibilities."

Joan As Policewoman graces the cover the BLURT Digital-Magazine debut issue, which also includes feature stories on My Morning Jacket, Ray Davies, My Brightest Diamond, and Alejandro Escovedo, as well as profiles of artists such as Whiskeytown, Tapes 'n Tapes, American Princes, The Ettes, Centro-matic, Martha Wainwright, Juliana Hatfield, Mia Doi Todd, Sally Shapiro, and A Big Yes and a small no. More than 50 albums are reviewed in the BLURT Digital-Magazine inaugural issue, including Spiritualized's Songs in A, Fleet Foxes' self-titled debut, Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs, Solomon Burke's Like a Fire, Howlin Rain's Magnificent Fiend, Elvis Costello and the Imposters' Momofuku, and the deluxe edition reissue of Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville. There are also sections for reviews of books and DVDs plus essential music-lovers' lifestyle merchandise.

"BLURT Digital-Magazine will be free to subscribers and available nine times a year at www.BLURT-online.com," Crawford adds. "We believe BLURT Digital-Magazine's green-minded, digital-only format will set the standard for how digital-magazines can heighten the consumer experience by offering fully interactive and searchable content including exclusive performance and interview videos, MP3s, podcasts and more."

In addition to the debut of the digital-magazine, www.BLURT-online.com launches today, offering visitors up-to-the-minute daily news, abundant additional features and reviews (including over 100 additional CD, book, DVD, and concert reviews), plus various video channels broadcasting exclusive video interviews and performances by The Black Keys, Alejandro Escovedo, and Devotchka, as well as an entertaining, behind-the-scenes look at cover artist Joan as Policewoman's photo shoot. Furthermore, BLURT is proud to announce blog contributions from esteemed critic and former Village Voice Music Editor Chuck Eddy (Singles Again, celebrating vinyl), singer-songwriter Chris Lee (Say It Ain't Soul, for songwriters), Triple-A veteran and former XM Music Director Kate Bradley (Cut Through the Noise, industry rants and raves) as well as ongoing political opinions from artists as diverse as songwriter James McMurtry, Anti-Flag's Justin Sane, antifolker Ed Hamell (a/k/a Hamell on Trial) and Grace Potter (of Grace Potter the Nocturnals), with more to be announced.

ABOUT BLURT:
Brought to you by the creative team behind the lauded Harp Magazine (called "America's best music magazine" by NPR's Bob Boilen and "the best music magazine in the country and the one that musicians always read" by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl), BLURT will raise the bar for modern music and entertainment magazines and websites by combining insightful features, irreverent interviews, relentless reviews, and first-class design standards. Visit us at www.BLURT-online.com.

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