I can’t remember who put me on to this, or if I discovered it myself, or if I heard about it on what was then CBCRadio3’s college radio-esque late night programming on Radio1 – whatever it was, I am truly thankful.  I’m talkin’ about CBCRadio3 Magazine, quite possibly one of the most beautiful multimedia amalgamations of Canadian emerging and fringe culture ever.

Okay – it’s the only multimedia amalgamation of Canadian emerging and fringe culture (broadly conceived), but man, was it beautiful, and beautifully done every time.  I’m going to venture this too – it was probably the best Canadian culture mag I’ve ever come across.  It’s the only place I’ve been able to read about beer or hockey without rolling my eyes.

The magazine was an online offering from CBC’s ‘youth’ arm, CBCRadio3.  CBCRadio3 had been for years a weekly late-night bleeding-edge Canadian independent music program, but between November 2002 and May 2005 it tackled a much broader role as Canada’s culture lens, using CBC’s massive influence to secure the very best Canadian media auteurs.  The magazine in execution struck a mind-blowing balance compelling visuals, copy, and music – yes, a running soundtrack – sometimes matched with the story or event (like a band profile or session), or just in the background with the built-in player running a good representation from New Music Canada (NMC – basically Radio3’s former self) – and get this: they did it brilliantly every week.  EVERY WEEK.  105 issues, all different, all great.  Everything about the mag resonated without being nostalgiac.  I’m going to ramble off a list of adjectives that I think fit: current, strong, smooth, funny, intuitive, familiar, quirky, relevant, serious, revealing…

What’s more, even though it shut down three years ago this month, I still read it and shake my head in admiration.  Take the issue above – September 5-11, 2003 (Issue 2.01).  I picked it randomly from the archives (which you can peruse by clicking this link or the one above, clicking Table of Contents, and then Archives – all 105 back issues are there).  Here’s a breakdown of the contents:

– ’12 Ounce Cameras: Canada Through a Beer Can’ by Cameron Andrews and Jessica Bushey, a photo essay of a road trip across Canada, but revealed through pin-hole cameras made out of regional beer cans strapped to the top of the car.

– ‘Bert: Nothing Lasts Forever’, a story by Sally McKay, narrated by Nora Young, about the anguish and coping of Sesame Street’s Bert when Ernie suddenly leaves without notice.  Photos by Allan Sherwood.

– Profile of Pixies/Throwing Muses spinoffs The Breeders, with four live show tracks.  By Trevor Zimmer.

– ‘Calling on the Past: Murmur Keeps City Stories Alive’ by Shahid Quadri (photos by Maris Mezuli), about a phone-based interpretive service for Toronto’s lesser-known landmarks.

– Profile of alt.country The Waco Brothers, ex-first wave British punk band members of The Mekons, with five session tracks.  By Scott Lingley.

– ‘Fabric of the Past: Japanese Dresses Recall Darker Days’, by Sarah Efron, a photo/text essay about a collection of handmade dresses worn by women of the Japanese internment camp at Lemon Creek, BC, during World War Two. 

– Photo collection ‘Nothing Specific’ by Tim Barber, placed through-out. 

Terrific stuff.  Pick any issue – you’ll find something new, something cool, something truly strange and happy.  You’ll always be impressed.

I don’t know what happened to the magazine.  It shut down, and they didn’t say why.  It’s too bad.  They were just getting started.  When I think of the kind of magazine I’d like to publish, this is one I can point to and say, ‘Just like that.’