Research Catalog

Title

Ear magazine records, 1962-1992 (bulk 1977-1991)

Author

Ear, Inc

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Anderson, Laurie, 1947-
• Cage, John
• Glass, Philip
• Goldstein, Malcolm, 1936-
• Hays, Sorrel, 1941-2020
• Morrow, Charlie
• Moss, David, 1949-
• Sawai, Kazue
• Zorn, John, 1953-
• Absolut Vodka Company
• Kronos Quartet
• New Wilderness Foundation
• Relâche (Musical group)

Description

37.25 linear feet (72 boxes)

Summary

In addition to documenting the production of a magazine, the Ear Magazine records offer an account of the new music scene in America during the 1980s. The Artist Files contain individual files, often containing clippings, biographical information, and photographs relating to such artists as Laurie Anderson, John Cage, Philip Glass, Malcolm Goldstein, Sorrel Hays, the Kronos Quartet, David Moss, Relâche, Kazue Sawai, and John Zorn. The Subscription series identifies the type of audience targeted by the editors. The strongest portion of the collection is from 1987-1991, or the time period when the magazine operated under Ear, Inc. There are some significant files from the earlier years when it was a part of the New Wilderness Foundation, particularly in the Production Files, and Fundraising series. The only information about the years 1973-1976 is found in interviews or other descriptions of the magazine's history, rather than primary documents. The collection does not include much interoffice correspondence, such as memoranda, but there are many notes from meetings and other informal sessions. It also does not a contain complete run of issues of the magazine; it includes only a few damaged copies, and the final supplement, which was not widely distributed.

Subjects

• Music > Periodicals > History > Sources
• Ear Magazine (New York, N.Y.)
• Clippings
• Ear, Inc
• Periodicals > Publishing > New York (State) > New York
• Photographs
• Correspondence

Genre/Form

• Clippings.
• Correspondence.
• Photographs.

Biography (note)

• Founded in Berkeley, CA in 1973 by Charles Shere and Ann Kish, Ear magazine was a journal on contemporary music that was published through 1991. A volunteer-based effort from the start, Ear grew to become a professionally produced and internationally distributed commerical publication. In 1975, after twenty-five issues had appeared, the magazine moved to New York City, when Beth Anderson, who had become its primary editor in 1973, relocated. From this point on, two separate editions of Ear existed, with the West Coast version continuing into the early 1980s. In 1976 the New Wilderness Foundation (NWF) took over the task of publishing Ear, and would remain its parent organization until 1987. Founded in 1974 by poet Jerome Rothenburg and sound artist Charlie Morrow, the NWF was a not-for-profit organization that funded alternative arts and music projects. Many of Ear's early activities were closely related to other NWF projects, such as the Summer Solstice celebrations in Central Park. In 1987 the magazine separated from NWF and incorporated itself as a non-profit organization called Ear, Inc. It expanded operations by increasing from five to ten issues a year. In 1989, Ear changed format from tabloid size newsprint, to a standard magazine format, with glossy cover and 64 pages. A major achievement occurred in the fall of 1990 when Absolut Vodka sponsored the production of new music CDs to include with issues of Ear. Financial conditions deteriorated, however, and the magazine ceased publication with its 1991 Fall Supplement.

Call Number

JPB 03-10

OCLC

NYPG06-A76

Author

Ear, Inc.

Title

Ear magazine records, 1962-1992 (bulk 1977-1991)

Biography

Founded in Berkeley, CA in 1973 by Charles Shere and Ann Kish, Ear magazine was a journal on contemporary music that was published through 1991. A volunteer-based effort from the start, Ear grew to become a professionally produced and internationally distributed commerical publication. In 1975, after twenty-five issues had appeared, the magazine moved to New York City, when Beth Anderson, who had become its primary editor in 1973, relocated. From this point on, two separate editions of Ear existed, with the West Coast version continuing into the early 1980s. In 1976 the New Wilderness Foundation (NWF) took over the task of publishing Ear, and would remain its parent organization until 1987. Founded in 1974 by poet Jerome Rothenburg and sound artist Charlie Morrow, the NWF was a not-for-profit organization that funded alternative arts and music projects. Many of Ear's early activities were closely related to other NWF projects, such as the Summer Solstice celebrations in Central Park. In 1987 the magazine separated from NWF and incorporated itself as a non-profit organization called Ear, Inc. It expanded operations by increasing from five to ten issues a year. In 1989, Ear changed format from tabloid size newsprint, to a standard magazine format, with glossy cover and 64 pages. A major achievement occurred in the fall of 1990 when Absolut Vodka sponsored the production of new music CDs to include with issues of Ear. Financial conditions deteriorated, however, and the magazine ceased publication with its 1991 Fall Supplement.

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Request Access to Music & Recorded Sound Division Special Collections material

Finding Aid

Added Author

Anderson, Laurie, 1947-

Cage, John.

Glass, Philip.

Goldstein, Malcolm, 1936-

Hays, Sorrel, 1941-2020.

Morrow, Charlie.

Moss, David, 1949-

Sawai, Kazue.

Zorn, John, 1953-

Absolut Vodka Company.

Kronos Quartet.

New Wilderness Foundation.

Relâche (Musical group)

Research Call Number

JPB 03-10