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: http://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 “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen/”Hesatative” Jack Hertz
VIDEO
You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases we discuss in this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast
MUSIC
”Step On Me” Hydrone – Live at Nelsonville 2022 (Clean Demon Records)
“n-0”, Kozo Inada, Kozo Inada & Frans de Waard (temporary mountain)
“Post Surgical Blues” Versioning, Cloud Plateau (Ingrown Records)
“Alamogordo” FUZZ UNLIMITED, Journey To The Seventh Planet (Illuminated Paths)
“Hippie” Versioning, Cloud Plateau (Ingrown Records)
“Under Garbage” Cody Brant – Carl Kruger, Smoke Detail (Copy This)
LINKS
Copy This
https://copythis.bandcamp.com/
Clean Demon Records
https://cleandemonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-nelsonville-2022
temporary mountain
temporarymountain.bandcamp.com/
Ingrown Records
ingrown.bandcamp.com/
Illuminated Paths
illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/
Basic Paper Airplane
http://www.antiquatedfuture.com/zines/basic-paper-airplane-13-the-cassette-tape-issue/
Related Episodes
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
Copy This Mix Joshua James Amberson of Basic Paper Airplane and Antiquated Future selects a music mix drawn from cassette releases reviewed in Copy This Cassette issue 3.
Underground Zines and the Hunt for Lost Music Frans de Waard on the history of the Vital fanzine and his Korm Plastics label. The international web of connections that tied the cassette underground together.
Contact-Exchange-Document: The Story of ND Daniel Plunkett digs into his history with the cassette network, DIY passion and the power of community. The story of the ND fanzine, homemade zine, with world spanning content.