Austin Zine Fest

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Awst Press

Tell us a little about yourself - what'll you have available to pick up at AZF '15?

Awst Press is an independent literary press focused on publishing in print and digitally impressive work from diverse voices. We will have copies of all 16 Featured authors from 2015 at AZF.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

Tatiana Ryckman: Twenty-Something

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

Brunch: Magnolia Cafe, Jog Path: Town Lake, Place to Accelerate While Driving: Pennybacker Bridge, Tamales: Curra's, Two-stepping: White Horse, Craft Cocktails: Whisler's.

Where can we find you online?

The original online application was open to all interested artists for a month and we posted it on all of our AZF and personal platforms. But we're two cis white women and posting to our friend groups while simply assuming that people from other social circles and backgrounds would see our official AZF posts was foolish and deriving from our own privileged experiences. We see that now and we take full responsibility for it and offer up a sincere apology to everyone that this affected. Tonight we're opening up our application again with the intention of providing another opportunity for underrepresented groups to have their work seen and their voices heard at Austin Zine Fest '15.

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Mystic Multiples

Austin Zine Fest 2015 Tabler: Armoire Magazine

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

Armoire Magazine is a digital and print publication focusing on the intersection of fashion and art.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

We recently came across David Byrne's art book, "Your Action World." We were inspired by the way it picks apart and rebels against numbing workday culture by redefining lifestyles through art. It encompasses the Avant Pop art movement in which we, especially Millennials, have such a connection to. We did an entire issue dedicated to Avant Pop but felt a huge inspiration from this particular publication. See our "Avant Pop" issue at www.armoiremagazine.com/issuethreeavantpop

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

We highly recommend the businesses and neighborhoods of North Loop and E. 11th street!

Where can we find you online?

With Austin Zine Fest '15 only one week away, it feels like we're counting down every minute until the big day! We're thrilled to be featuring 40 artists and groups at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center. It's a beautiful place with a strong history and sense of community that we couldn't be more proud to be a part of. That being said, it did result in our having to place over 70 applicants on our wait list due to the space limitations while we kept to our application deadline for the sake of fairness and our own sanity as two young women running AZF on top of our full-time jobs and independent magazines. 

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Roughhouse Comics

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15? 

We're an artist collective/micro-publisher focusing on comics with strong voices and unique visions.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

Since we are a collective of 6 people I can't answer this in any definitive way. However, I've recently been reading a great Cowboy Henk collection and the latest Dennis Eichorn book published by Last Gasp.

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

As cliche of an answer as it may be, I really do think the cathedral of junk is a great distillation of all that is good about Austin. Farewell Books is always worth a visit.

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Modernizm

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

My name is Anastasia Kirages, but you can call me Stacy! I work on an art zine called Modernizm and I also help organize Zine Fest Houston with my co-organizer, María-Elisa Heg. Modernizm is an open-ended art zine project based out of Houston, TX. I’ll be bringing Zine Fest Houston compilations from 2012-2015 as well as my own collage zines, mini one-page zines, and a new zine I recently finished about found photography. 

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

 I bought a lot of zines at Zine Fest Houston, but haven’t had the chance to read any yet. A couple zines that I am really looking forward to reading from that pile are Muchacha Fanzine (The Coalition Edition) and St. Sucia (Issue III: La Dama). Also, this summer I found a copy of Chloë Sevigny’s zine, No time for love, at PRINTtEXT in Indianapolis, which was rad. (Great shop if you ever have the chance to visit, btw!)

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

Although I live in Houston now, I was in Austin for four years going to school (go Longhorns…), so here are some of my favorites: Bouldin Creek Café (sweet potato pecan tamales!!!), Farewell Books, Harry Ransom Center, The Blanton, The Contemporary Austin, Halcyon (coffee shop with s’mores), Home Slice (really good pizza), 24 Diner (the best waffles), oh and The Elephant Room (awesome jazz sets). 

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER:  Stephanie Rodriguez

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

Stephanie Rodriguez also known as StephGuez is an illustrator and comic book artist from the Bronx, NY. She will be Selling her zine Mad Doodles and her comics No Te Hagas la Pendeja (Don't Be a Dumbass), Underground and a new comic called Mad Smoothie. There will also be fun stickers and other knick knacks.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

 I recently went to Boston Zine Fest and my favorite purchase was a zine by Sara Bear called Never Grow Up. Best comic book I've read recently is Jillian Tamaki's This One Summer and lastly my favorite comic book of all time would be Luba by Gilbert Hernandez. 

Top places to visit from your hometown? 

I'm an out of towner so I will give you recommendations for my hometown, The Bronx. If it's baseball season definitely grab some cheap bleacher seats at Yankee stadium, Arthur Avenue also known as the Little Italy of the Bronx is a fun place to grab some authentic Italian food. Lastly my favorite watering hole The Bronx Alehouse which has LOTS of beers on tap and really great bar food!

Where can we find you online? 

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Juanita Martinez and Hayley Books

Tell us a little about yourself - what'll you have available to pick up at AZF '15?

We are Juanita Martinez and Hayley Books, a creative couple from Austin specializing in illustration and design. We’re going to be slinging a couple of zines, prints, shirts, stickers, and other goodies at Austin Zine Fest!

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

H: I just found a signed collection of a few of Alison Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For comics at Half Price Books, and it's been great to see an artist mixing personal narrative and LGBT politics so well.

J: I love anything that Cortney Cassidy does, everything feels honest and genuine. Lately I’ve been eyeing her Girl Problems zine and Internet Crush Jacket.

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

H: Start off in full tourist mode and head over to South Congress. Grab an Iced Turbo at Jo's, check out Yard Dog, Uncommon Objects, and of course Lucy In Disguise. Head over east on Cesar Chavez and visit Farewell Books/Las Cruxes for records, zines, vintage clothes, art, and coffee at Flat Track. Get migas tacos for lunch at Joe's Bakery & Mexican Food and walk across the street for the famous Mango Hill at Hay Elotes. Pick up some beer and any snack you could ever imagine at the The Flag Store in Hyde Park and head over to Mount Bonnell to catch the sunset at the highest point in Austin.

J: I agree with everything that Hayley suggested but especially the part about Hay Elotes… anything with Hot Cheetos as a menu item is a winner in my book.

Where can we find you online?

Hayley can be found on Instagram (@hayley.books), Twitter (@hbooks), and her website (hayleybooks.com).

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Gerald Llorence

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

My name is Gerald, I'm a guy making things in Houston who likes to draw. Graphic Design is my day job. I will have at least a couple zines. One is called How to show someone you love them which is straightforward, and the other is called united snakes of america which is less so. I have also had a year-long project called uspsgerald where I have sent out something new each month to people who subscribed early this year. I have extras of quite a few of those things that I will be selling, which includes, an enamel pin, toothbrushes, stickers, pencils, postcards, and more!

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading? 

I unfortunately missed Zine Fest Houston this year (was at a wedding) but last year I picked up a zine called Cry Me a River by the people at Mystic Multiples in Houston and it was beautifully printed (risograph) and the color choices/design of it was beautiful. Also they went the extra mile with a bag with their logo and business card to boot. Fantastic stuff. Hoping to make a riso zine in the future

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

I used to reside in Austin until the past couple years. A lot has changed since then, but my fav breakfast spot still is there. I love Counter Cafe. The one on Lamar. Try whatever their special is. (Editors Note: We 100% agree!) Also, if you're nerdy check out the Moontowers in Austin. They're these gorgeous huge lights in a few spots in the city that are some of the last ones in use in the country.

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: fields

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

fields is a print publication designed to spotlight writers, musicians, poets, painters, illustrators, and creative types of all stripes, with an emphasis on the up and coming and the unsung. We'll have copies of issues 3 and 4 on hand, along with some posters designed by Manik Raj Nakra from our issue 4 launch in August. 

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

I recently picked up Fernando A. Flores's Death to the Bullshit Artists of South Texas, Vol. 1 and Kevin McNamee-Tweed's new book, Words. Both are excellent, for different but occasionally overlapping reasons.

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

Places to go? Go to Trailer Space Records and East Side Pies - they're right next to the Carver Museum, so there's no reason not to. Sunday brunch at Yellow Jacket is probably the best thing you can do if you're going to be staying the weekend.

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: BEARCAT

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

Hi! I'm Amanda of BEARCAT zine, and I am fascinated by bio-patterns, which I'll define as motifs in life that present themselves through diverse media. To be able to explain science through visual arts is my main focus. BEARCAT represents public collaborative efforts to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts. At AZF '15, I will have original artworks from my recent coffee table zine for sale, a new literary-based zine, and a fresh off the press comedy-art zine called "aeuvre," which also comes with a secret bonus zine inside.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

I recently picked up Ballroom Marfa's zine "desert surf films" and love it's playful serious dichotomy, as well as the ample inserts, posters, and postcards that are sampled within. also aesthetically beautiful.

100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

A must-see Austin attraction would be Bull Creek along the Greenbelt, and also a visit to Karaoke Underground. 

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Casting Couch

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

Casting Couch is a zine dedicated to highlighting great and underappreciated music-related people and topics through words and pictures. Issue 2 features interviews with some of our favorite bands -- Home Blitz, Foster Care, Action Swingers, and Sewers -- and collector Ryan Richardson, along with photos, reviews, comics, and columns. We're pretty proud of it.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

A lot of the inspiration for the layout of this issue came from Slash, the classic LA punk zine. We read a lot of old punk zines in general, but Slash is one of the all-time best. We were also recently re-reading old issues of Horizontal Action that Jon picked up a few months ago, and there's a lot of great stuff in there...you know, in between all the porn. Jon and I first bonded over the photo zine Hamburger Eyes, and Later Dudes is a related zine that's also great. 

As far as current stuff, Cretins of Distortion is fantastic, we're huge fans of the Terminal Boredom print, and of course I have to shout out AZF participants fields. I read so many zines that I know I'm going to forget a bunch of all-time favorites so don't hold me to this list, please! 

Any 100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

Go to Barton Springs and marvel at how beautiful Austin will still probably be in mid-November. And watch some live music, because come on. 

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: Red Kitty

Tell us a little about yourself - what'll you have available to pick up at AZF '15?

red kitty is a micropress and zine dedicated to art, collaboration, writing, poetry, and the exchange of ideas. We're into independent media, feminism, humor, and paper. We'll have copies of our latest zine, Anatomy; the first installment of our latest project 'When Glenda the Goose Fell from the Vee,' written by Philip Korshak and illustrated by Anka Tompkins; and a few other, smaller projects.

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

I recently visited Homestead Apothecary in Oakland, CA and picked up The Mental Health Cookbook by H. Finn Cunningham - it's an awesome herbal zine, a combination of hand-written/drawn and typed media with a focus on herb lore and mental health. It's a beautiful little zine - I've really been enjoying it.

Any 100% must see Austin recommendations for our out of towner folks?

The Zilker Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit, and check out North Loop - Monkeywrench Books in particular has a lot of really excellent independent media.

Where can we find you online?

AUSTIN ZINE FEST 2015 TABLER: LIKE LIKE ZINE

Tell us a little about yourself - what’ll you have available to pick up at AZF ‘15?

Like Like Zine started when two Californians became best friends while living abroad in Hong Kong and it still going strong now that one of us is back in L.A., with additional contributions from our other awesome friends. For AZF '15, we shall be selling Like Like #2: Come Here, our spin-off Like Zine, pins and other zines that we create before AZF. 

What zines / books / printed materials have you picked up recently? Any favorites we should be also reading?

Currently reading Discomfort #2 by Dave Gunn (picked up at Boston Zine Fest!), which is a zine that chronicles Dave visiting a Denny's diner every night for a year with his best friend in 2005. The stories are a mix of funny and sadness and the art is terrific.

Top places to visit from your hometown? 

If you visit L.A., check out The Smell and Pehrspace for great band gigs. If you visit Hong Kong, Kubrick Cafe is a great bookstore with zines that is connected to a rad movie theater.