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Us Folk Magazine

For better or worse, it’s an exciting time to be working with magazines. It might not be easy, but it’s exciting.

Friday night saw us climbing a set of stairs. The interior walls leading up to La De Da in Belconnen are covered with art: the evocative, the shape-shifting, the abstract, the colourful. Its entrance is inconspicuous – potentially too much so for a first-timer. Fortunately that shouldn’t be much of a problem, as the bar, which hosts weekly student nights, regular art battles, and live musicians and DJs, is slowly becoming more well-known among Canberrans looking for an alternative to the usual din of top 40 hits and sticky floors.

But Friday wasn’t about La De Da. Friday was all about Us Folk‘s first birthday, and the launch party for their fourth issue. Based in Canberra, Us Folk cover local artists, musicians, photographers, writers, designers, and much more. For those who work on the magazine, it is a labour of love – the team consists entirely of volunteers. But that doesn’t mean anyone should expect a sub-par publication – in fact, far from it.

Ashley Feraude
Ashley Feraude, performing live at La De Da, 15/03/13.

“We didn’t know what we were doing with our first issue,” said Ash Peak, who edits Us Folk alongside Juliette Dudley. “If you look back at it, the design’s completely different, and the content, although very good, doesn’t really tie together as well as we’ve learned to plan our content now. Every issue gets better I think, as with anything that people do – it gets better with time.”

She’s not wrong. Issue four looks beautiful. The layout and typography keep things simple, avoiding clutter while retaining style, and illustrations and photos are of high quality. For $10, and with what little advertising there is being unobtrusive, the issue is a stellar example of local talent itself.

The celebrations began with Ashley Feraude behind the decks, and Dan Bray picking up the saxophone. The result was both an entertaining and relaxing experience, setting the mood well. SAFIA hit the floor next, and their performance found the right mix between dance-inducing club sensibilities, and pop hooks of the highest calibre. Not convinced?

SAFIA
SAFIA, performing live at La De Da, 15/03/13.

“Stuff like Us Folk – Canberra needs more of it I reckon,” said Ben Woolner, vocalist and keyboardist with SAFIA, after their set. “They’re always behind anything that’s an avenue for creative direction, anything to push.”

Citizen Kay began playing as we chatted, and the duo commanded the floor. Seeing such young talent emerge from the Canberra scene was no doubt an inspiration for all artists there. With flows that fit each beat with professional precision, they are an example of skill beyond their years.

Citizen Kay
Citizen Kay, performing live at La De Da, 15/03/13.

All this time, local artists Houl and Dranoel were working on artworks as people watched on, entranced with their live talents. Musician Stackhat came on later that night, and his soulful, chilled out tunes provided the perfect soundtrack for the launch.

There’s no doubt the talent on display during Us Folk’s first birthday party says a lot about Canberra’s culture and art, and the very kind of individuals that Us Folk work to support and expose.

“Canberra’s up there with any other city in this country,” said Ash. “It’s just that we’re a smaller place and we’re inland, and we’re kinda away from everything, but the quality of work that people produce here is on par with what other interstate areas are doing.”

Stackhat
Stackhat, performing live at La De Da, 15/03/13.

There’s a symbiotic relationship between the artists Us Folk support, and the magazine itself. The kind of loving relationship that builds communities and fosters creativity. Together, they help form

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the kind of artistic culture that Canberra deserves, and many of us here know it.

“The local community’s really embraced us and what we’re trying to do, and how we try to involve people in what we’re doing,” Ash said, while adding some advice for anyone wishing to embark on their own creative venture.

“If somebody wants to do it, just do it, because there’s nothing worse than sitting around just doing nothing. Just do it, and plan.”

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