THE MOVE

Everybody loves a fanzine.

Something to read on the Tube home after a day record shopping up west: something to roll up and have hanging out of your back pocket at the match, or just laid strategically in the bathroom for one of those 'long read' turnouts. 

New clubbing and music fanzine The Move fits easily into the lineage of what we hold dearly. It educates and informs while reinforcing our beliefs that it’s the little details that matter – and that, by and large, they are still our secret. So we spoke to The Move’s editor, Tom Armstrong.

BOP: You feel its the right time to bring out a physical fanzine – it seems right to us .
Tom Armstrong: “Yeah, definitely. People are buying records again, so there's no reason mags can't go the same way. There's a lot you can do in print that doesn't work online. I think it's about working out how the two can co-exist. The other thing is that people under a certain age have only ever known the internet, so it's not a backwards step, it's actually progressive.”

Fanzine culture has gone hand in hand with House music hasn't it?
“Yeah, funnily enough I think the first time I had anything published in print was in Faith, which was like the House bible at the time. Some of the funniest things I've ever read were in that mag. That was my introduction into fanzine culture, and there's a lot I take from that still. We've tried to make a good quality product with nice paper and whatnot, but it's important that the tone and content of The Move feels friendly and accessible. I don't ever want to come across as being up our own arse. 

Loving the joining the dots from Jazz to Dancehall back to Casual - is their a conscious path your entering down?
“It's just what I'm into really. You can walk down the street in London and hear Garage, Dancehall, Grime and House all coming from different car windows or shops, and I wanted that vibrancy and diversity to come through in the mag. The underground is still strong and with all that's going on in the world I hope it'll get stronger.
Music and clothes go hand in hand in my eyes, so there'll always be a heavy style element to what we do. I liked the Casual piece because it was coming at it from a different angle, and almost goes against the grain of the popular image of that scene."

Regarding the Casual movement – for me, it was a natural continuation from a working class line –Mod, Skin, Soul Boy then Casual. They actually all share many items; it’s all one thing isn't it in its purest form ?
“Yeah it is. I don't think it stopped there either. The lines became more blurred as things got less tribal, but the Casual Paninaro style certainly influenced what came after with Garage and Grime. Things are certainly different these days with the internet etc, but I don't think change is always a bad thing. London's kids still lead the world in terms of music and style.

Grant Fleming, our old mate who has a folio of photos from Jamaica's Club HQ in issue one, tells a cracking tale doesn’t he?
“Grant is the man. There are few people around with his experience and character. As you say, he's a great raconteur which is why I wanted to have him telling the story alongside the pics. I think that really makes it. Fingers crossed he's going to have another piece for us in the next issue which I'm properly buzzing about.”

All great fanzines need a opponent and whipping boy. Have you sorted out what yours is going to be? 
“Developers, councils, old bill, people who buy a flat next to a club and then moan about the noise. Anyone who contributes to the erosion of nightlife in the UK. Just because our thing is here for us to enjoy now, doesn't mean it always will be.”

What's in store for future issues?
“Issue two is out now, featuring T.Williams and MJ Cole, the sound systems of the Gambian revolution, madness from the golden age of pirate radio, Chaos in the CBD, Patta, plus the usual mix of records, raves and silly bollocks to make you laugh. Plus the best spaghetti bolognese recipe you'll ever eat.! You can buy it online at www.themovemag.co.uk. There's also a list of stockists on there too."