Blues Matters! Magazine

/Home/Blues Media/Blues magazines

Blues Matters! Magazine

01656-745028 (UK)

Our 50th issue is looming large on the horizon and we thought we’d show what people think about our efforts so below you can read just a few comments from ‘across the board’ We’ve never been one to shout about ourselves but recently the blessed Christine and Tony took our stand to Blues on the Farm and hardly anyone knew what we were or what we did which was stunning! It seems we gained many new supporters from that event once they saw the magazine in it’s glorious 164 colour pages so we figured it was about time we came up with a way to let more folks know what other people think about Blues Matters.

In the changing and difficult world that exists today we aim to give joy and spread the word about artists old and new to the world in our ‘Blues without the blinkers!” approach. We hope that you will be enthused sufficiently by these comments to download the membership form and subscribe immediately. Now let others tell you about us: Sharrie Williams
"The Blues Revival is much heralded, but rarely seen, a bit like the 183 bus near where I live. It remains an underground music, a music of the people played by thousands of dedicated musicians who just want go out there and whip up a storm and with a bit of luck the eagle might fly on Friday. And cheering them on are the fans buying music, going to clubs, pubs, bars and festivals to support their favourites. And all this activity needs a focus - a place where enthusiasts and musicians can keep up with what's going on and stuff what anybody else thinks. Blues Matters does this in spades, respecting the music with its professional production values, acknowledging the past while promoting the stars of tomorrow - something old, something new, something borrowed, but always the Blues." - Harry Shapiro, journalist and author of biographies including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. His authorised biography of Jack Bruce is published in November'

"Congratulations to all at Blues Matters on hitting this milestone. You're doing a wonderful job covering such an important and multifarious world of music, being informative and entertaining to an audience of real fans who otherwise are hardly catered for. Here's to the next 50" - Laurie Staff – Cadiz Distribution

“More information than the Great Library of Alexandra and enough photos to open an exhibition” - Record Collector

“Should be on every blues lovers’ shelf as required reading” - Larry Cohn, Former A&R, - Epic Records

"It's been a pleasure to have seen the evolution of Blues Matters over the last few years. I really appreciate the international prospective you bring. Thanks for your coverage of Canadian blues. Your work is important and your dedication to the music shines though. Congratulations on reaching this milestone" - Holger Petersen, Stony Plain Records

The Blues Matters Magazines
"Congratulations on your 50th Issue and thank you for your support over the years with the artists which we promote which include Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Aynsley Lister, Matt Andersen, Monte Mongomery, Beth Hart, Danny Bryant, Scott McKeon, Chris Duarte, Mike Harrison (Spooky Tooth) & many more. You have helped us raise the profile of the blues in the UK which has resulted in artists like Joe Bonamassa going from The Borderline to selling out the Royal Albert Hall in under 2 years" - Sue Williams, Frontier PR.

“Blues Matters has become a vital component in the British Blues scene. It’s wide ranging features and glossy approach are essential to give this genre of music vitality & credibility.” - Alan Robinson, Manhaton Records

"It has been great to see a small team of people make a gargantuan effort to support the music they love. If ever there was a case of ‘putting your money where your mouth is’ this is it. There is no other magazine like it and it deserves to be supported" - Richard Pavitt, Nugene Records

Blues Matters since it started has been a mine of information and a must for blues fans the world over. - Bob Hall, The Legendary Boogie Piano Man.

"Blues Matters! is an incredible valuable resource for all things Blues-related. From Kelly Joe Phelps, Mick Clarke, Rod Price, Too Slim and the Taildraggers to John Fahey and Terry Robb, Blues Matters! has been the strongest UK partner in the Blues for Burnside Records artists for many years." - Nate Snell, Label Manager, Burnside Records

“By far the best blues publication in the UK, Blues Matters!” - Martin Vowles, recording artist (The Wildcards)

“Simply an awesome magazine” - Sound Nation Music Magazine

Cover History -The Blues Matters Magazines
"Blues Matters! support for new Blues artists is legendary and, I am sure, has helped a number of these performers along their way.. To us, Blues Matters! Has been more than just a magazine, it has been a friend. Right from the early days of asking if you would like to put something about Oli Brown in, you have been a great support and always shown an interest in what he is doing. Congratulations on reaching your 50th issue and I hope that we can help and be with you for that 100th issue!" - Graham Brown, Oli Brown Band

"Congratulations with your 50th issue. A landmark and an achievement. I would like to say: Blues Matters is wonderful source of information about established artists and especially about new artists. It’s a great read too. That’s why Blues Matters matters!!" - Bert de Ruiter, CoraZong Records

"Congratulations on your 50th superb issue. Your progress has been amazing and I am grateful to have been a subscriber since 2004 and to have seen the transformation. The quality of the reviews let alone the number (and so many new artists covered), plus the range and number of terrific interviews keep me reading for days (unlike the other magazines I read). I still go back to read old issues which are neatly stored in my bookcase. An artist comes round I haven’t seen and I go to Blues Matters to see that they’ve already reviewed or interviewed them. Well done to all at Blues Matters and thank you" - Terry Baker, Subscriber Scotland

Hamilton Loomis

"Congratulations on your 50th issue of Blues Matters. The magazine is an important window for the public to see what is happening in the Blues and Blues Rock World with its many reviews and features. Your dedication to the music and hard work producing the magazine is appreciated." - Del Taylor, United Producers Group Ltd

"Your publication is really impressive. High quality and the content is first rate" - Bob Kieser, Illnios Blues Magazine

"I thought I’d read the best but when I came across Blues Matters in Borders store on a visit to London from my home in Australia in 2007 I was amazed at this ‘little’ publication! Only little in size, re-phrase that to HANDY, HUGE in content and BIG on quality presentation. Simply the best Blues magazine around!! Thank you so much for all your work. Anyone who is into their Blues simply MUST SUBSCRIBE and make sure you continue the work you do. Record labels must be impressed and artists should be thankful. Everyone connected to the Blues should subscribe in my opinion!" - Sean McArthur, Subscriber, Australia

“I am already on your mailing list by virtue of having a radio show over here...BUT whilst I was over in Brighton for Christmas, bought the latest magazine, impressive or what !! Now I’m subscribing. Knocks spots off Blues Revue !!” - Clive Rawlings, Radio presenter, France

Blues Matters!? What an evolution over the years! The early first issues I subscribed to were single colour jobs – like a glorified fanzine dedicated to blues – and slim-line compared to the heavyweight editions we've become used to hearing land on the doormat. Despite the simple package, Blues Matters! was a perfect illustration of the 'content is king' theory long before folks started applying the term to websites. For although it didn't look like much in the beginning, the wide range of reviews and broad church approach to blues and related styles knocked spots off the competition. And what does a forward-thinking publication do to reach the parts other print magazines can't reach? Pioneers digital subscriptions. Brilliant Another vital part of Blues Matters! success is surely it's inclusive policy and un-blinkered approach which shows that the blues purists can exist and interact perfectly happily alongside those who prefer the more alternative styles of the genre and beyond. This open, but authoritative, attitude has helped turn a whole new generation of music lovers onto blues and blues-based music which has helped a great number of UK acts and artists – traditional, alternative and everything between – get a foot up on the national and international circuit. Thank you Blues Matters! - Dave Arcari, BUZZ RECORDS And Recording Artist.

Marcus Malone
"It's been great to see Blues Matters! establish itself on the UK blues scene and beyond. I love the way Alan and his staff also embrace acts that aren't out and out blues artists and in doing so help the genre survive and flourish. The blinkers have always been off and I'm sure they always will be. I don't know how they manage to pack so much stuff in. Congratulations on your half century....here's to the next 50 years!" - Stephen Foster, BBC Radio

"When you need a Blues Magazine that covers all its carying styles and is at the forefront of promoting new and upcoming artists look no further - Hypertension

"I simply admire the efforts Blues Matters goes to to widen our perspective on the Blues and related artists. The quality of the publication and the size make it easy to read and to keep for reference like no other magazine in the field. Damn well done and in the words of Buddy Guy; “Damn Right I got The Blues” coz BLUES MATTERS" - Sharon Samuels, Subscriber USA

"Blues Matters is now the number one blues publication out of the UK and on the world wide web. If it wasn't for their excellent vision, we would not be introduced to new blues and superb crossover styles. Their fantastic support of our clients such as Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jay Tamkin, Dani Wilde, Larry Miller, Omar Kent Dykes, Jimmie Vaughan and Gwyn Ashton has definitely raised their profiles by inclusion in this prestigious magazine. It is always a pleasure to work with Blues Matters staff, and in our quest to further herald quality blues music along with Europe's biggest blues label, RUF Records, Blues Matters have always been willing, and extremely able counterparts" - Go For It Promotions / PR

"Thanks guys for keeping the Blues alive. Us Blues artists appreciate you much. I'm looking forward to reading Issue 49. Peace"- David Gerald, Musician