Inside the Zine: Copy This Cassette with Blake Werts

About this episode

D. Blake Werts discusses his fanzine Copy This Cassette and the influence of cassette culture on his work.

From the worlds of mini-comix to independent music, D. Blake Werts is the creative force behind the fanzine, Copy This Cassette . Martin Franklin and co-host Jerry Kranitz sit down with Blake to share the surprising story of how he discovered cassette culture only a few years ago, and how that discovery inspired him to launch a new publication devoted entirely to underground cassette releases. He explains the philosophy behind Copy This Cassette , including its tactile, analogue-first ethos and the importance of short, descriptive "snapshot reviews." We also learn about Blake's deep roots in the world of mini comics , how he taps into regional cassette scenes from the Pacific Northwest to Europe, and the editorial decisions that keep the zine focused and accessible.  You can find Copy This on Bandcamp at copythis.bandcamp.com and catch our unboxing video of issue 3 on the Cassette Culture Podcast YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast Keep updated on the Second Edition of " Cassette Culture: Homemade Music and the Creative Spirit in the Pre-Internet Age " by contacting Jerry. jerrykranitzwriter.com/ Hosted by Martin Franklin & Jerry Kranitz. Theme music…

People in this episode

Hosts: Martin Franklin, Jerry Kranitz

Guest: D. Blake Werts

Topics covered

• cassette culture
• fanzines
• independent music
• mini-comics
• underground releases
• snapshot reviews

Keywords

• cassette culture
• fanzine
• Copy This Cassette
• mini-comics
• underground music
• snapshot reviews
• independent music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Copy This Cassette, Bandcamp, Cassette Culture Podcast, Clean Demon Records

Books & works: Cassette Culture: Homemade Music and the Creative Spirit in the Pre-Internet Age

Places: Pacific Northwest, Europe

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