Venus Zine is the leading source for coverage of women in music, art, film, fashion, and DIY culture. Venuszine.com is the daily updated companion to the quarterly, internationally circulated magazine. Venus Zine and venuszine.com feature interviews with legendary artists (Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, and Kim Deal) in addition to edgy and up-and-coming musicians, designers, writers, actresses, and DIY entrepreneurs.
VENUS ZINE IN THE PRESS
The Guardian (April 7, 2005)
"The next time you meet a man who suggests that rock'n'roll is just a boy thang, bash him over the head with a copy of Venus Zine. Focusing on female musicians, artists, filmmakers, and writers, Venus Zine is like a very hip version of the NME not for girls, but about girls. If you want to read about taking your toddler on the road or the coolest place to hang out in Austin, Texas, then Venus Zine is for you. Based in Chicago, editor Amy Schroeder says the idea that there aren't that many women involved in the music industry is just plain wrong, as her magazine more than adequately proves. In fact, the only bad thing about Venus Zine is that it makes you believe that you too can be a rock star — after about 20 pages you'll have bought your drum kit, booked your first gig and be dreaming about the world tour."
XLR8R magazine (April 2002)
"Venus Zine is no cut-and-paste operation spouting half-formed thoughts and pseudo-feminist angst, and thank goodness. The Chicago-based music publication smartly captures the girl-power spirit without resorting to cheap shots or shock tactics. Besides in-depth music coverage, the magazine highlights independently minded female filmmakers, artists, writers, and fashion designers — basically anyone whose work futzes with established conventions and expectations — while maintaining a staunchly independent, DIY attitude. As a mere freshman at Michigan State University, Amy Schroeder started cranking out 12-page mini-mags; nearly seven years later, Venus Zine is an impressive publication that hovers at around 80 pages, reaching readers in the U.S. and abroad. Indeed, Venus Zine has come a long way. The diverse range of articles are appropriately substantive and informative without tapping too deeply into militant feminist cliches. Overall, Venus Zine strikes a careful balance between crusty grassroots appeal and glossy professionalism. Definitely worth seeking out." — Christine Hsieh
Punk Planet magazine (Issue No. 50/July 2002)
"Dedicated to women and music (although slowly creeping into women in other media territory and tossing a few token dudes into the mix as well, Venus Zine keeps its editorial focus lean and ready to tussle. Aiding Venus Zine's ascent from the pack of other women-oriented music magazine is the zine's commitment to independents (not to mention their belief that women can rock instead of simply wishy-wash). While not exclusively indie-only, DIY bands, fashion, films, and more get a fair share of the limelight in Venus Zine. Instead of sidling up to the majors and their Lilith Fair women's ghetto attitudes, Venus seeks the real deal out from the source. And God bless 'em for that." — Dan Sinker
Jane magazine (November 2000)
"If you utter the word ‘zine’ these days, expect glazed-over eyes and a newly empty space next to you. I stopped following the feminist independent press in the mid-'90s, frustrated by people who wrote pointless five-page articles on things like whether riot grrrl should have two Rs or three. I wanted to tell them all to venture out of their bat caves and go run in the sunshine. But now I'm mad at myself for dismissing zines so wholeheartedly. After all, I didn't stop buying records after hearing that unfortunate song by 4 Non Blondes. So my first post-boycott discovery is Venus, which has cool articles on women in indie rock, like my favorite, Mary Timony." — Stephanie Trong
Bust magazine (Issue No. 13/Fall 1999)
"De Milo would be de proudest. The full-sized Venus Zine has color photos and a theme: 'the Midwestern Point of View' issue. Now, you know how much I like theme issues, so you can imagine how much I like Venus Zine. Interviews with Mary Timony of Helium, Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead and Gina Birch of the Raincoats and Hangovers. Plus, a piece about the ladies of the DJ world (yes, they exist!) and Ms.'s Marcia Ann Gillespie mouths off."
