So, despite raising more than $166,000 from fans and friends last month Paste magazine is downsizing. Literally. The magazine is about the size of the old TV Guide, though shorter, with only 46 pages. Publisher Nick Purdy writes that the full-size magazine has shifted to a once-every-two-months schedule, with smaller, single-topic issues to "tide you over" in between. "We've designed these mini-magazines to include a surprising amount of good stuff -- because after all, it''s the content that matters, not the size of the paper."

Of course, it is the size of the paper. Though Purdy is right in saying that the issue packs a surprising amount of content into its 46 mini pages, it's a fraction of what it offers in even the most ad-strapped, thin full-size issues of yore. It's a pamphlet, essentially. The magazine started out with a publication schedule not much different that it has now, so I'm unsure about the need for these mini-issues. It can't be advertising; there are only about 13 pages of ads here, which for a 46-page issue is pretty paltry ad support.

As it is, the magazine seems to be pushing subscribers away from print. A huge ad (well, as huge as you can get with 5 1/2"x8" page) for the magazine's digital subscription touts two options: Digital Paste for 99 cents a month, or Digital VIP Paste, for $2.99 monthly. The first gets you the digital edition and the right to download the music sampler, the other offers two samplers, other MP3s, access to the digital archive, a T-shirt and other goodies. Oh, and if you want to get the magazine as, you know, a magazine? "Physical copies of the magazine and sampler, of course, are available as options. More information online." "Hey, caveman, we don't want to print and mail this thing, all right? Just enter a credit card number and save a tree!"

This isn't unique. Good magazine (a non-music title) published a similar-sized "recession issue" this spring to announce it's own reduction in frequency, while Blender magazine decided to go online-only around that same time (while Blurt, which moved online after the demise of Harp, actually moved back into print for at least one issue).

I've never been a huge fan of Paste -- it's a little too NPR, Dad-rock friendly for me -- and this move does nothing to change my mind. If I want to read about music online, there are plenty of places to do so. If I want to read good, long-form music criticism surrounded by interesting photos printed on paper, the number of outlets is dwindling.

Labels: magazines, music