A music magazine that has informed Winnipeggers about music, both local and beyond the mainstream, is in danger of folding. Stylus Magazine, a music magazine published by the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association since 1989, announced in its most recent issue that the next issue could be its last. The magazine, which has published 204 issues, serves as the programming guide for CKUW, the campus radio station at the U of W. It profiles local and underground musicians, showcases artists, and publishes album reviews. The letter from the editors said a drop in student enrolment at the U of W has resulted in budget challenges for CKUW, which has paid for the printing and operation of the magazine out of their budget since 2015. Rob Schmidt, the station manager for CKUW, said the decision to cut Stylus’ funding was a tough one. “We’re a radio station, and we love the magazine,” Schmidt said. “It’s important as a program guide. It meets our mission of developing new talent and talking about local music and culture, but if we can’t pay for it, the radio is our number one priority.” Keeley Braunstein-Black, the magazine’s current editor, said the loss of the magazine would be a “blow to the arts community.” “I think that the arts community will have one more obstacle to overcome when it comes to exposure and applying for things,” she said. “You can’t use your own Instagram to apply for grants, the same way you can with coverage from an official outlet.” The magazine is currently budgeted for one more issue, Schmidt said, but the future remains uncertain. ‘Accessible to everyone’ Stylus is available for free around Winnipeg and is inspired by zine culture from the 1980s, which flourished on college and university campuses. The magazine has been a stepping stone for several writers and artists who went on to pursue journalism or writing. “Stylus came out of CKUW,” Schmidt said. “Volunteers at CKUW created it, and so many wonderful writers have found a place at Stylus to work on their skills.” Kent Davies, the current treasurer for CKUW, contributed album reviews, interviews and a regular column to Stylus for many years. “It really just amplified my musical taste and got me into a lot of genres I probably wouldn’t have gotten into and bands that I wouldn’t have gotten into,” he said. Schmidt noted Stylus is one of only two campus music magazines still being published in Western Canada, the other being Discorder at the University of British Columbia. He said losing the magazine will have a ripple effect in the community. “You lose a place for new writers to experiment and try their hand at criticism or creative writing,” he said. “Stylus has featured local artists on the cover and photography inside the pages, so you lose a place for that sort of expression.” For artists and musicians, being featured in Stylus can help boost their careers. “There are bands that seek out an interview in Stylus because it’s something anyone can pick up and read,” Davies said. “There’s no digital divide. It’s accessible to everybody.” “Lots of bands have used clippings from Stylus or copy from Stylus when they’re trying to get a record deal or book a show,” Schmidt said. “I know a number of bands; sometimes it’s their first coverage that they have in Stylus, and they use that to apply for grants or apply for festivals and other things,” said Braunstein-Black. “Without that first break, it can be very, very difficult to get the exposure or attention to get to that next level.” Schmidt and Davies have both said discussions with the UWSA remain ongoing and the association’s current executive sees the value of Stylus. In a statement, UWSA president Alan Saji Koshy said the organization is meeting with CKUW for a solution for Stylus. “Stylus is a unique and valuable publication with a long and rich tradition for students on our campus as well as within the broader local music community,” he said. “The UWSA is currently in discussions with CKUW’s leadership about the best ways we can offer our immediate support to Stylus so that it may have more time and options toward the possibility of continued publication going forward.” Braunstein-Black said plans are underway to try and save Stylus, and they are reaching out for testimonials from the community about the importance of the magazine. Those interested can email the magazine directly through its website.
