Reader of the Week: Matt Harmon of Chicago
musician and bike advocate
By Amy Schroeder
Published: May 9th, 2008 | 12:30pm
How old are you?
23 going on 17.
How’d you discover Venus Zine?
My girlfriend introduced me to Venus Zine a few months back. She took me to the spring issue release party at Cobra Lounge in Chicago, and the zine has been my reading material during breakfast ever since.
I like the focus on the DIY spirit, and the profiles of all sorts of people making it happen for themselves. The writing is sharp, and the layout is real snazzy. You can tell a lot of care goes into getting the zine together. The only thing I might recommend is laminating the pages — my issues are ruined after only two or three morning Crunchberry sessions.
Can you tell me about the bands you’re in?
I play guitar in Childsize Monster Pistol (myspace.com/thedancingnancies) with my brother and an old friend. We've been playing in bands together for about six years. The sound is horrible noise as high art or something like that. One kid told me that we were his Ozzy Osbourne, so I guess that's pretty cool. My brother and I are also starting up a new group that's only slightly less irritating.
What are the best shows you’ve ever been to? What bands are you most looking forward to seeing this summer?
The best show I've ever been to was the last show at the Guesthouse in Chicago a few weeks ago. Good vibes, good people, and great music. A lot of young, positive folks making music with their friends and doing it on their own terms. It was really inspiring. It was either that or when I won tickets to Ozzfest a few years ago. Unreal. And I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Daughters again this summer. They are everything a band should be: balding, hairy-chested, and covered in saliva.
In your spare time, you volunteer for Working Bikes? What does the organization do?
Working Bikes Cooperative is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit group in Chicago. They take donated bicycles, get them in working order, and sell them at their store on Western Avenue. The proceeds are then used to donate bikes to people in need around the city and the world, where they affect the quality of life in ways most people in the western world may never understand. I volunteer about once a week and repair the bikes. I really enjoy it because I've met some awesome people, and I get to do something I love, all while helping people I'll never meet.
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Issue #35
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