Blogpost: Smith Journal

Posted by T • February 25, 2017

Posted by T • February 25, 2017

Smith Journal

Magazines.

An easily forgotten medium in a world with an attention span of a goldfish obsessed with blogs and spoon-fed easy to digest hors d’oeuvre of information.

A magazine can be so much more than merely a collection of writings and much bigger than the sum of its parts: A coherent entity that unfolds its flavours not just with each new issue but also over time.

Layout, design and being visually appealing are part of the deal, sure. It can anchor and frame content.

The voice of a magazine can be created through the editors’ choice of approach to curation, layout and contextualization of the articles – a voice that needs to be clear and leaves not too much white space around why certain topics are dealt with in the issue in question in that exact order and individual context.

Substance.

Wit.

Inspiration.

Not forcefully trying to reinvent the wheel, desperately trying to be the first in line but keep an eye on what is current. 
Not indulge in nostalgia but appreciate things and ideas that stand the test of time.

The voice of a magazine is what makes it unique.

Great publications take a stand without imposing a point of view on its readers, yet their approach might not be for everyone.

That’s part of the deal.

Smith Journal is released every three month and, in a nutshell, contains stories about weird science, offbeat history and ingenious design.

The minds behind Smith want to create something they'd be happy to read themselves.

Something that bridges the divide between makers and thinkers. Something that informs and is inspired by their own curiosity.

A mission they accomplish.

Each issue of Smith Journal has its own overarching design sensibility, clear typography, a global perspective and provides a reading experience with its high quality print and paper.

You know a good magazine when the way it seamlessly combines unobtrusive advertising with content in an integrated manner adds to the overall experience instead of disrupting it – a magazine that you are likely to hold onto.

T • February 25, 2017

More recent blogposts

Lung @ Lee's Palace

Posted by Mirela Z. • December 10, 2024

Lung @ Lee's Palace Toronto, ON Canada November 19, 2024 Have you ever heard a distorted electric cello, with intense vocals and heavy drum beats? Powerhouse duo, cellist Kate Wakefield and drummer Daisy Caplan, are not to be underestimated! Seeing them for the first time perform live has left me wanting more! Read more

Better Lovers @ The Observatory 11/30/24

Posted by Aaron H • December 5, 2024

Better Lovers: Photo Credit - AMH Better Lovers are making the rounds again, this time with a new full-length LP, Highly Irresponsible, released earlier this Fall. The hardcore mash-up of ex-Dillinger Escape Plan and ex-Every Time I Die members recently brought their show to So-Cal, and I had the pleasure of seeing how things have been going since last year. … Read more

Rise Against/LSDunes/Cloud Nothings @ HOB 11/20/24

Posted by Aaron H • November 28, 2024

Rise Against Fans - Photo Credit: AMH Rise Against decided to hit the road this past fall and brought along L.S. Dunes. Depending on your city, different acts opened the show. Cleveland, Ohio's Cloud Nothings covered the crowd warm-up duties on their run through California. With a bill this stacked, I didn't want to miss it. Cloud Nothings - Photo … Read more

The Blood Brothers @ The Glass House 11/5/24

Posted by Aaron H • November 12, 2024

Blood Brothers - Photo Credit: AMH It's been 10 years since the last Blood Brothers reunion. You wouldn't think a second comeback would hit as hard as the first, but the band is truly better than ever. The reunited post-hardcore troupe is back in celebration of their eminent album, Crimes, released 20 years ago. Different openers are filling in throughout … Read more

Search/Play/Repeat - November 2024

Posted by Loren • November 11, 2024

Vices, outlets, escapes... I'm not sure where things are at here in November of 2024. But as we battle our demons and look for meaning, or escape, music is a blessing. Here's a new playlist. Many of these artists have been covered at Scene Point Blank, mixed in with tracks that just hit me personally for whatever reason. Pay it … Read more

Sisters of Mercy/Blaqk Audio @ The Greek 10/6/24

Posted by Aaron H • October 10, 2024

Sisters of Mercy - Photo Credit: AMH The perennial Post-Punk/Rock group Sisters of Mercy are back in the States, and this time, they're joined by Electro-Dance Duo Blaqk Audio. The tour swung through The Greek Theater in LA, so naturally, I had to catch the show. Blaqk Audio - Photo Credit: AMH I made my way through Griffith Park and … Read more

Strung Out/Adolescents/AWS @ GHCH 9/26/24

Posted by Aaron H • October 2, 2024

A Wilhelm Scream - Photo Credit: AMH Strung Out, Adolescents, and A Wilhelm Scream just got done with a short US Tour. I had the opportunity to catch it as it rolled through So-Cal and I didn't wanna miss it. A Wilhelm Scream opened the show, and after over 2 decades, the band is still out there proving why they're … Read more

Iron Maiden @ Qudos Bank Arena

Posted by T • September 13, 2024

Iron Maiden Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, Australia 12 September 2024 Essentially, what eventuated tonight transformed Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena into a grand amphitheatre of metal might as Iron Maiden stormed the stage, delivering a performance that felt like the awakening of a sleeping giant. Killswitch Engage, the evening’s opening act, took the stage with a ferocity that ignited the crowd … Read more

Search/Play/Repeat August 2024

Posted by Loren • August 12, 2024

I think I've lamented on this in the past, but one thing I really miss about the tape/cdr era is mixtapes. Playlists offer something similar, fortunately, so I can keep it going when I want to mix things up from writing reviews. This list collects a bunch of stuff I've covered/discovered through Scene Point Blank, plus a couple additions that … Read more

Gaslight Anthem/Joyce Manor/Dirty Nil @ HOB 8/3/24

Posted by Aaron H • August 7, 2024

The Gaslight Anthem - Photo Credit: AMH The Gaslight Anthem are out on the road in support of their newest album, History Books. For the west coast leg of the tour, they've brought along The Dirty Nil and Joyce Manor. I was fortunate enough to make it out to their show in Anaheim at the House of Blues and it … Read more