Jul 22

Jul 22 A Magazine Prescription from Danielle Mustarde at London's magCulture

For the second in our Culture Therapy Series, we invited award-bagging writer and shop manager at London's magCulture, Danielle Mustarde to write a prescription for independent magazines to seek out in these uncertain times. Find more of what you need in her suggestions below.

Featured

For Connection and Community: Skateism #7

Not your usual skateboarding magazine, Skateism is a space for those who weren't always welcomed into the sport (and its closely-held subcultures) namely, LGBTQI+ folk, women and POC/non-Westerners. Even if you don't skate well (like me, much to my continued disappointment) Skateism is a gorgeously vibrant, ever-inclusive publication which really explores life and culture through the lens of skateboarding. The current issue, The Mental Health issue, is a prime example of that. Other issues have been themed around BLM, Pride and skateboarding 'Elsewhere'.

For Modern Life / Untethering: Offscreen (...and The Analog Sea Review)  

Bath-based shop Magalleria beat us to it with their recommendation of Analog Sea Review. In short, we concur! This petit publication, born between Germany and the US, was made for life offline (preferably alongside a freshly brewed pot of coffee). Another magazine we'd point our customers in the direction of here, would be Offscreen. Created by Kai Brach in Melbourne, Australia, Offscreen explores the 'human side of technology' and could equally be tag-lined 'Modern life: untethered'. Voilà! Two recommendations for the price of one.

For Mind & Body: Hamam

‘The Magazine of Letting Go’, Hamam explores the art and culture of bathing. Yep, bathing! Though its subject matter may at first seem incredibly niche, as I wrote on the magCulture Journal not so long ago: 'What has become clearer with each new issue is that Hamam is so appealing because, at its (steamy) core, this is a magazine about something all of us grapple with—how to live.' Though Scandinavian saunas and Japanese hot baths (onsen) abound in the beautifully designed pages of Hamam, it's the sensual exploration of how those practices affect both mind and body that make this our recommendation for Mind & Body.

For Purpose: Courier: 100 Ways to Make a Living

  The first publication to come to mind is this latest special edition of Courier magazine: 100 Ways to Make a Living. Though I've only managed to leaf through it since it arrived at the magCulture shop a week or two ago, there looks to be plenty within its pages to offer a helpful prod in the right direction for those looking to find a sense of purpose — within the realm of work, at least. For purpose in a wider sense? Perhaps tuck a copy New Philosopher under your arm too.

For Spirituality & Meaning: Emergence #2 (and For Nature too)

  Another magazine that's already surfaced on the Culture Therapy pages recently but — after spending this last weekend buried deep within its many pages — I couldn't *not* re-recommended Emergence. Throw in the 'Nature' category alongside 'Spirituality & Meaning' and you've just about captured the essence of this Californian bible on Ecology, Culture & Spirituality (as its actual tagline reads). The current, second issue explores 'Language' as its theme and includes in-depth, beautifully written pieces on the languages of whales, birds and humans. The perfect long-read for whiling away a hot summer evening (speaking from personal experience).

For Mental Wellbeing: Like the Wind #28

  There's generally a good selection of magazines which explore mental health in stock at any one time be that explicitly or, more commonly, as an issue-specific theme. At the moment, some of those include Skateism #7 (as mentioned earlier) as well as Insomniarghhh #1, Dysfluent #1 and SoulKind #1. For me personally, Like the Wind magazine — a London-born running magazine is the first port of call. A less obvious choice perhaps, but I know that running (and being out in the green, leafy stuff more generally) helps to keep my mind healthy (as well as my legs). That, and the intent of LtW is absolutely focused on exploring personal stories of 'Why we run' — and not 'How to run'. A crucial distinction and one that sees it sit comfortably in this section.

For Awe & Wonder: The Light Observer   #3

I've had a copy The Light Observer #3 on my desk here at the magCulture shop *all week*... When I finally find a spare ten minutes, it's the magazine I'll be sitting down with. Created in Milan, Italy, The Light Observer is a beautiful, biannual thing that 'explores light in all its forms'. A meet-cute between art and science, this latest edition is The Water Issue which begins in 'the deep ocean — mysterious and compelling', much like the awe-invoking magazine itself. Later features deep-dive into the underwater world of bioluminescent organisms, the role of light at 200 metres, and an artistic reinterpretation of the myth of Icarus by Melinda Braathen. (Oh, you should definitely pair this with a copy of Sirene #12 to boot — trust us).

For Creativity & Culture: Mishou Magazine #1

  A brand new publication for kids,Mishou Magazine is part-created by Milah Libin, also editor-in-chief over at Dizzy magazine (for those who are fans). A 'paper-y space' where children can 'take a break from [their] screens, and still connect with people all around the world, through art!', Mishou sits rather nicely alongside our other colourful, creativity-driven kids' magazines: Anorak, Dot, Kookie, Scoop & co. If only they'd all been around a few years ago, amiright?

For Doing Good

To end things on an uplifting note — because there's absolutely more than one deserving title in this category — here's a non-exhaustive list of magazines that are 'Doing good' that you should probably (definitely) take the time to flick through: 

 It's Freezing in LA

 The Black Explorer  

Looking for more suggestions, magCulture now offers a quarterly boxset.

We hope you find many new discoveries amongst these selections for whatever ails you or maybe even just some new reading ideas to get you through the summer months, wherever you’re able to spend them.

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