DEBUT Issue #2 - by the Student Music Network

Welcome to our second issue of Debut magazine. For this edition, we decided to step things up a notch, and sharp-eyed readers of last year’s magazine will notice a change in format. Alongside seven brilliant interviews that offer an insight into the lives of both emerging and long-standing artists we think are destined for great heights this coming year, we’ve included six absorbing, insightful, and thought-provoking features that define the mood of the moment in the music industry.

For all the good that we do as an organisation, I’ll be the first to admit that the Student Music Network has long abandoned publications. While the focus has largely been across Student Radio, last year we made the decision to showcase the amazing work of student journalists across the country with Debut. Beyond their contributions seen here, these writers work tirelessly to produce papers and magazines between their lectures, and always to a laudable standard. I’d urge you to go check yours out if you haven’t already.

Producing a magazine is no mean feat. This issue has been a long time coming and it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but it fills me with pride to see the finished product. With all this in mind, I’m especially pleased to say that this year, Debut is not only digital but we’ve distributed a limited number of print copies to student unions across the country. And, although a year has gone by since our last issue, we really hope more regular issues of Debut will find their way to you over the year ahead, with the aim of becoming quarterly as our team grows.

S o, what do we have in store? On page 11, Lucinda Dodd of UoN’s Impact magazine discusses the increasing influence TikTok is having over our listening habits and the many pressures artists face as a result. Jake Longhurst writes a thoughtful personal essay on the misrepresentation of metal music and what it means to be a fan of the genre on page 17. And for some light-hearted relief, Nottingham Trent’s MA Journalism student Amrit Virdi sparks a little uni rivalry with her amusing analysis of the UK cities with the best music scenes. Did yours make the cut?

But of course, Debut wouldn’t be a student music rag without a cutting-edge line up of musicians who are changing the world with their music. The quirky synth-pop five-piece Superorganism discuss their ‘psychedelic’ new album World Wide Pop with one of SMN’s regional officers, Rachel Graham on page 35, while Redbrick’s Aimée Sargeant catches up with TikTok sensation Ellie Dixon to learn how social media helped her soar to stardom on page 30. And of course, an honourable mention has to go to our cover stars, The Amazons, for stepping in at the last minute. Catch their conversation with Felix’s Zanna Buckland on page 7.

Finally, ‘thank you’s are in order to all of those who helped make this issue happen. Student Music Network consists of a dedicated number of music fanatics who devote their free time to this cause. Thanks go out to our Chair, Scott Hastie and our Vice-Chair Ben Winter, without whom this magazine could never have happened. A special mention must also go to our designer, Hannah-Mae, who’s turned our words into a visual work of art, and our advertiser, Student Radio Association. And of course, huge thanks to all our student writers for producing such brilliant content. Now it’s time for you to read it for yourselves!

- Lilith Hudson (SMN Publications Officer)

Cockrell, Amrit Virdi, Aimee Sargeant, Emily Campbell, Beatrice Lancet, Jake Longhurst, Lucinda Dodd, Samantha Andrews, Rachel Graham, Harry Law, Rishi Shah, Antigoni Katsantoni, Liam Daly

Graham ~ SRA Ad Design: Summer Wilde

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