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Pushed forward by the enthusiasm of new staff members and the response of the readership, the concept was broadened around 1993. The attention goes to the kaleidoscope of contemporary music styles: from jazz and improv, contemporary classic and guitar rock to industrial noise, experimental electronics to joyful pop music or world music. Starting from the idea of cross-fertilization and connections between music and other art forms, and also from the conviction that music isn't isolated in society, we also pay attention to novels, comics, movies, theater, the plastic arts, video art, essay, new media, design and the problems in society. To emphasize this idea formally, these subjects are fully integrated in the magazine since 2003 and there is no longer a separate section provided for these subjects.
Since 1995, the Mind The Gap-compilation is added, a compilation cd, which is autonomously and independently compiled by the editorial staff. It contains over an hour of self-willed tracks from what the contemporary music scene has to offer. Already from the beginning, lots of attention is spent at often still obscure Flemish and Dutch bands, of which a number in the meanwhile are more widely known. To emphasize this pioneering work, project "Track 13" was launched in 2004. The thirteenth track on Mind the Gap is alternately saved for a promising Flemish and Dutch artist or band. (you can read more about this in 'projects' )
Since 2002, Gonzo (circus) is made by a new team - seniors and youngsters - who have set as target to constantly improve and renew Gonzo (circus), with regard to content as well as the design level. In 2003, the size and design were firmly taken in hand. Gonzo Circus became Gonzo (circus). The editorial staff and the editorial board severely oversaw the quality and diversity of the articles and the visual material - in which we give priority to the works of home photographers and illustrators. We worked hard to get a certain reputation. At the end of 2005, the results are there: a clear vision, a renewed editorial staff, a new, clear design... and finally a new website. We're ready for another 15 years of Gonzo (circus)!
Manifesto
For 15 years, Gonzo has been loyal to the following principles:
1. Profound, extensive and critical interviews and features about music and art, with longer articles which invite the reader to further exploration
2. A multidisciplinary approach, where next to music, also film, comics, novels, visual and stage arts get a lot of attention, with a special preference for artists from here and abroad, who know how to manifest on the crossing of several disciplines. Our attention lies especially at the young contemporary experimental artist, without losing track of historical developments.
3. The thorough knowledge of competent, enthusiastic and fully independent staff members, far away from hackwork or being rash lackeys. From our fellow workers a critical and open mind is expected, next to an extensive knowledge of the subject and a facile pen, which can, wherever possible, reveal connections and hidden associations in the contemporary netwerk culture.
4. Attention for the relationship between text/image, which is expressed by a tight and inventive design that doesn't only illustrate the text, but also wants to tingle and surprise the reader visually.
5. Added with each issue, a unique Mind the Gap cd, which is independently compiled by the editors, with over 1 hour of exciting sounds from the gigantic music offer.
6. Each issue consists of over 200 expertly written and well-informed reviews, which guide the reader and listener through the still expanding musical landscape. More broad articles are combined in a label report or an interreview (combination of review and interview).
7. A tradition of pioneering and boundary crossing series as Bij Voorbeeld - "For Example" - (musicians dilate on literature, visual arts, but also on their friends, who made them to what they are), Gallerij Der Groten - "Gallery of the Greats" - (unique and influential artists or genres from 100 years of popular music), En avant les Gardes (art historical counter trends like futurism or dada and their influence on contemporary music) Geluidsdraad - "Soundwire" - (connections and trends in contemporary music) Nouvelle Vaag (systematic and thorough overview of the torrent of new electronic music), Uit de Kast - "Out of the Closet" - (counterbalancing the cultural correct thinking), Gonzo's Gemene Deler - "Gonzo's common denominator" -
(About the relationship between music, literature and philosophy) and since April
2005 - "Pause" - (Reflections about a genre, movement or a certain school).
8. The pursuit to a continuous interaction and intertextuality between music, art and society with next to that, attention to self-willed opinions about social discussions like anti-globalism, commercialization of music or racism
9. Regularly a free supplement in the form of an extra cd, especially in response to innovative festivals in Flanders or the Netherlands.
10. A highly democratic price of 8 EUR per issue for almost 100 pages of quality information and a dozen of self-willed music tracks.
Mission
Gonzo (circus)
... about experimental music and culture
To offer you, the reader, an even better magazine, we have examined what the principles of Gonzo (circus) are and what we see as our task for the following five years.
Gonzo publishes articles about innovations in culture, music being the main focus, and reports about that in the context of the spirit of times and from an independent position.
Publishing
Publishing a paper magazine remains the core activity of Gonzo Circus vzw (non-profit making association). We have chosen to, at least until 2010, remain a paper magazine, because it just lasts longer than a superficial medium like the Internet and reading a paper version of Gonzo on the train or in the 'little room' is handier than reading one from a computer screen.
Innovation
Gonzo (circus) wants to become the reference for everyone who's looking for innovations in music and culture. Innovation refers to experimental, tasteful, alternative, small-scaled, non-commercial, contemporary and to relevant developments which aren't known by the big audience yet and/or never will be. Also searching and crossing boundaries fits within this framework. It's a clear guideline for what doesn't belong in Gonzo: culture and music, that play safe and/or is based on commercial motives.
Music and culture
The musicians discussed in Gonzo (circus) are often also visual artists and the other way around. Next to that, Gonzo keeps indicating important movements, trends and the works of innovative artists in film, literature, theatre, comics, etc.
Independence
Since the beginning, this is the core principle of Gonzo Circus and we will guard and save it by working with volunteers, among other things.
Context
No article, short or long, starts from merely an isolated album release or a certain show, but places the artist and his or her work in a broader social and cultural context. Art can't be a solitary, two-dimensional, abstract expression, but the personal interaction of a talented individual with the world around him/her.
Interpretation
With this, we rejoin the tradition of Gonzo journalism or subjective "journalism". Because Gonzo Circus can't win the informative race against the webzines,daily and weekly magazines and radio and we don't want to pursue that either, interpretation offers more possibilities, not only for instance interviews, essays and survey articles, but also interpretation of new culture and music by e.g. graphic artists, video artists.
What can you expect from Gonzo (circus) for the next five years?
Indicating and informing about innovative activities, concerts, etc
- in 'Gonzo Circuit'
- On this website
Interpreting
- 'regular features' & discussed columns from among others Didi De Paris
- Essays & reports
- word + image by profound interviews and work from own photographers/illustrators
- reviews: no narrow-mindedness, critical and independent
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