NEW EDITION COMING IN 2008

A well informed study that champions the unsung heroes and heroines of DIY distribution in art, music, literary zines and culture.

This exploration of lo-fi culture traces the origin of the DIY ethic to the skiffle movement of the 1950s, mail art,Black Mountain poetry and Avant-Garde art in the 1950s, the punk scene of the 1970s and 80s, right the way through to the current music scene. Through interviews with key writers, promoters and musicians (including Bikini Kill and Bratmobile) Amy charts the development of music outside of the publicity machine of the large companies, and examines the politics behind the production of the many 'home-made' recordings and publications available today.

Amy Spencer is a former zine writer and record label founder who is part of the promotions collective The Bakery. She is currently studying for a PhD in Contemporary London Literature.

'Spencer subverts the high gloss media culture with her do-it-yourself guide for anarchistic amateurs of music and literature who just wanna have fun.' The Times

'a veritable cornucopia of self-made worth, DIY: The Rise of Lo-Fi Culture is a triumph from beginning to end... Highly recommended.' www.trakmarx.com

'a comprehensive guide to the evolution of DIY culture as we know it today.'
www.bookslut.com

To read an extract click here

Price: £7.99/$15.95
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-7145-3161-8
Music/Cultural Studies
Publication: July 2008