Blare Magazine
BLARE Magazine or simply BLARE is a Toronto-based daily Internet publication devoted to artist InterViews, commentary and supporting unsigned/emerging musicians. Although its focus is on rock music, the range of MusicAL genres covered includes indie rock, pop punk, hardcore punk, pop and hip hop.
Established in January 2009, the site is run by a group of young Canadian journalists who are attached to the college/university crowd. The publication has been praised as a rising Canadian entertainment publication that represents the music taste of today's youth because they are today's youth.
History
BLARE Magazine was created in London, Ontario, Canada in 2009 by Joshua Khan and Aaron O'Connell, Conestoga College Journalism graduates. After graduating, the two journalists became influenced by publications such as Spin Magazine, Blender Magazine and Alternative Press. Due to the apparent lack of music commentary in Canada, they formed a staff with fellow colleagues and started a website. First named NOISE, the site had to change their title due to a conflict with a French publication of the same name. The result ended up being BLARE, meaning "to blare music".
From January to August, BLARE was operated with writers from different cities such as Barrie, Manitoulin Island and Peterborough. With most of their work taking place in Toronto, the staff relocated to/closer to the city in September 2009.
Influence
With a focus on showcasing unsigned artists, BLARE has played a part in exposing artists such as Lights, A Lot Like Birds, From Indian Lakes and The Isosceles Project.
Some of the artists that have been featured and support BLARE include: Metric, Our Lady Peace, K-OS, Wolfmother, Tegan And Sara, Weezer, Sloan, Every Time I Die, Them Crooked Vultures, Taking Back Sunday, OK Go, Underoath, Gallows, Person L, Good Old War, Moneen, Bedouin Soundclash, This Providence, Blood Red Shoes, Chairlift (band), The Sounds, Magneta Lane, Hey Ocean and Spiral Beach.
Criticism
One common misconception AbOUT the site is that it resembles a blog and not a website.
The staff has also been criticized and under appreciated because of their age. Since most of the writers and photographers are still finishing their studies at post-secondary institutions, they have been ignored by some artists and management. Operating under an emerging name has also been difficult but the publication has received help from media outlets, industry professionals and artists they have featured.