Alternative Ulster
Encyclopedia
AU is a magazine
written, designed and published in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. Although predominantly a music magazine, AU covers other aspects of popular culture, such as movies, comics, games and the arts. AU was launched in June 2003.
) started life in March 2002 as a radio show on Belfast community station Northern Visions, as well as a website. Early the following year, a prototype 'Issue Zero' was launched, promising to provide "the best reportage from the local world and beyond." Local band Therapy?
, headlined the official launch party in the Mandella hall on the 6th of June 2003. In 2004, the magazine won Magazine of the Year.
The magazine underwent a massive redesign and relaunch in February 2007, when the name officially changed from Alternative Ulster to AU. Though it continues to cover the best in Northern Irish music, the name change reflects the wider scope that the magazine now has. The very best Irish acts sit side-by-side with the best in alternative music from around the world. During 2007, cover stars included Bright Eyes, The Gossip
, Biffy Clyro
, LCD Soundsystem
, Kate Nash
and a major feature hailing 'The Hot 40 - Ireland's Must See Acts'. The poll of industry insiders was topped by Belfast indie-pop/electronica duo Oppenheimer
.
, Los Campesinos!
, The Dillinger Escape Plan
, Vampire Weekend
and I Was A Cub Scout
) as well as three smaller, single page 'Incoming' features, often on acts that have yet to reach the public consciousness. The magazine also boasts an extensive reviews section, with 40-60 albums being reviewed every month and rated out of 10, as well as a section of live reviews.
The magazine is published monthly and is available in newsagents and record stores throughout Northern Ireland
and at Eason in the Republic of Ireland
. It is supported by The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Apart from features and reviews, the main sections of the magazine are:
This section occupies the first 20 or so pages and includes the 'Incoming' features, a mix of serious and irreverent news stories and light-hearted regular features like Ironic Iconic (a look at a re-appreciated star of yesteryear), Goodies & Baddies ("who's exuding cool and who's acting the fool"), and 'Hey You! What's On Your iPod?', where the magazine's staff walk the streets asking passers-by that question.
This section focuses mainly on celebrating great events in music and film etc. It begins with 'Flashback', marking the anniversary of an event or movie release and finishes with an in-depth essay on a 'Classic Album'. Other regular features include A to Z (a themed, comic run through the alphabet on anything from Wrestlers to Superheroes), Let's Get Phrenological (brutally analysing a troubled celebrity) and The Good, The Bad and The Weird, celebrating and castigating the best, worst and most bizarre of a given topic.
This section takes up the last 20 pages of the magazine and includes 'Most Wanted' (a preview of gigs, releases and events), 'Back Of The Net' (all manner of weird and wonderful stuff from the web), 'In Pictures' (photos taken by an AU photographer of punters at a recent gig) and specialist pages on the latest goings-on in the worlds of Film, Games, Arts and Comics.
frontman Andrew Ferris and BBC Radio presenter Rigsy.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
written, designed and published in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Although predominantly a music magazine, AU covers other aspects of popular culture, such as movies, comics, games and the arts. AU was launched in June 2003.
History
Alternative Ulster (named after a song by Stiff Little FingersStiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers are a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They formed in 1977, at the height of the Troubles. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star , doing rock covers, until they discovered punk. They split up after six years and four albums, although they...
) started life in March 2002 as a radio show on Belfast community station Northern Visions, as well as a website. Early the following year, a prototype 'Issue Zero' was launched, promising to provide "the best reportage from the local world and beyond." Local band Therapy?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
, headlined the official launch party in the Mandella hall on the 6th of June 2003. In 2004, the magazine won Magazine of the Year.
The magazine underwent a massive redesign and relaunch in February 2007, when the name officially changed from Alternative Ulster to AU. Though it continues to cover the best in Northern Irish music, the name change reflects the wider scope that the magazine now has. The very best Irish acts sit side-by-side with the best in alternative music from around the world. During 2007, cover stars included Bright Eyes, The Gossip
The Gossip
Gossip is a three-piece American indie rock band formed in 1999. The band consists of singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie. After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control . A follow-up, Music for...
, Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
, LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem was a prominent American dance-punk band from New York City. It was fronted by American singer-songwriter and producer James Murphy, co-founder of record label DFA Records...
, Kate Nash
Kate Nash
Kate Marie Nash is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. She had a UK no. 2 hit "Foundations" in 2007, followed by the platinum selling UK number 1 album Made of Bricks. She was named Best Female Artist at the 2008 BRIT Awards....
and a major feature hailing 'The Hot 40 - Ireland's Must See Acts'. The poll of industry insiders was topped by Belfast indie-pop/electronica duo Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (band)
Oppenheimer were an indie pop band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The band was made up of musicians Shaun Robinson and Rocky O'Reilly. Robinson and O'Reilly were previously members of the now disbanded Belfast group, Torgas Valley Reds....
.
The Magazine
The magazine started as a music magazine and continues in that vein, though in recent years more non-musical content has been added. Each issue includes four or five large features on major acts of the moment (in Issue 43, Hot ChipHot Chip
Hot Chip are an English electronic indie band. They have released four studio albums—Coming on Strong, The Warning, Made in the Dark and One Life Stand.-Formation:...
, Los Campesinos!
Los Campesinos!
Los Campesinos! are a seven piece indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University. Although the band formed in Wales, none of its members are Welsh. They released their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., in February 2008 and followed this up by releasing a record...
, The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group originated in 1997 after the disbanding of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio consisting of Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie. The band's current line-up consists of guitarist Ben Weinman,...
, Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City that formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. The Band has four members: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which produced the singles "Mansard...
and I Was A Cub Scout
I Was a Cub Scout
I Was a Cub Scout was a two-man synth-pop/indie rock band from Long Bennington and Collingham, England, consisting of William Bowerman and Todd Marriott. They were formed in 2006, and split on 5 June 2008.-New Bands:...
) as well as three smaller, single page 'Incoming' features, often on acts that have yet to reach the public consciousness. The magazine also boasts an extensive reviews section, with 40-60 albums being reviewed every month and rated out of 10, as well as a section of live reviews.
The magazine is published monthly and is available in newsagents and record stores throughout Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and at Eason in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is supported by The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Apart from features and reviews, the main sections of the magazine are:
- Upfront
This section occupies the first 20 or so pages and includes the 'Incoming' features, a mix of serious and irreverent news stories and light-hearted regular features like Ironic Iconic (a look at a re-appreciated star of yesteryear), Goodies & Baddies ("who's exuding cool and who's acting the fool"), and 'Hey You! What's On Your iPod?', where the magazine's staff walk the streets asking passers-by that question.
- Rewind
This section focuses mainly on celebrating great events in music and film etc. It begins with 'Flashback', marking the anniversary of an event or movie release and finishes with an in-depth essay on a 'Classic Album'. Other regular features include A to Z (a themed, comic run through the alphabet on anything from Wrestlers to Superheroes), Let's Get Phrenological (brutally analysing a troubled celebrity) and The Good, The Bad and The Weird, celebrating and castigating the best, worst and most bizarre of a given topic.
- Subbacultcha
This section takes up the last 20 pages of the magazine and includes 'Most Wanted' (a preview of gigs, releases and events), 'Back Of The Net' (all manner of weird and wonderful stuff from the web), 'In Pictures' (photos taken by an AU photographer of punters at a recent gig) and specialist pages on the latest goings-on in the worlds of Film, Games, Arts and Comics.
AU Army
The AU Army is the magazine's street team. It was created in January 2007 and is largely made up of students who did work experience in the AU offices. Its members can be found distributing stickers and back issues into waiting rooms and running stalls at gigs in towns and cities around Ireland.Logo
The first AU logo featured the full words of Alternative Ulster and dominated the masthead. In 2006, the full name was phased out and re-branded as simply AU. The logo features the letters AU in white writing within a red circle and white border. Initially, the words Alternative Ulster appeared under the circle, but this was later removed and the circle remained. Instead of dominating the cover, the logo was moved to the top left and the featured artists became the focal point of the issue cover page. The magazine also launched a sticker campaign, where their street team, the AU Army travelled around the country, branding all types of items with the AU logo.Staff
The magazine employs a large team of writers, photographers and designers from around Ireland and further afield. It also occasionally features writing by musicians and others, for example Jetplane LandingJetplane Landing
Jetplane Landing is a four piece band from Derry and London . They comprise Andrew Ferris , Jamie Burchell , Cahir O’Doherty and Raife Burchell . Jamie and Raife are brothers...
frontman Andrew Ferris and BBC Radio presenter Rigsy.
- (As of October, Issue 50)
- Publisher & Editor in Chief – Jonny Tiernan
- Editor – Francis Jones
- Sub-editor – Chris Jones
- Contributing Editor – Ross Thompson
- Senior Contributor - Edwin McFee
- Design & Illustration – Stuart Bell, Luke Carson, Tim Farrell, Neil Gillespie, Elissa Tiernan
- Photography – Alan Maguire, Gavin Millar, Loreana Rushe, Graham Smith
- Advertising Manager – Elissa Tiernan
- Promotions and Marketing Assistant – Kim Barclay
External links
- Official Site
- Official Forum
- Alternative Ulster on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- AU Army's Official Myspace