Save Paste Magazine: Readers Asked To Help

Paste Magazine has launched a Save Paste campaign in attempt to save the music magazine and web site from extinction.  As an independent title, Paste has struggled for the past 9 months during the recession. Last month, cash hit an all-time low turning a tough situation into a short-term crisis.

Rather than shut its doors, Paste launched a reader appeal to help save the magazine. Artists like Over The Rhine, Neko Case, The Decemberists, Of Montreal, Josh Ritter, The Avett Brothers and the Indigo Girls donated exclusive tracks to give to anyone who donates.

Just as one hopes that failing newspapers will be replaced by a swarm of citizen journalists, it's easy to believe that failing magazines will be replaced by legions of fan bloggers.  But there also needs to be a place for professional music journalism where the standards are high and the coverage  more complete.  Paste has always represented that.  Let the Blenders die like the pointless gossip they peddle, but rare magazine's like Paste deserve to survive.  Donate today. I am.

While the current situation is dire, long-term, Paste hopes to emerge from the recession in good shape. 2008 was the magazine’s best year across the board—print subscribers, print ads, online readers and online advertising were all at record levels. PasteMagazine.com consistently draws more than 900,000 visitors each month, and the magazine has grown into the third largest rock magazine in the world. Meanwhile new advertisers have come on board and more are ready to begin doing business when their advertising budgets return.

"We've adjusted our business plan, implementing several cost-cutting measures and creating a robust online business that’s among the best in the industry," says publisher Nick Purdy. "If we can get through this immediate cash crunch, we can weather the rest of this economic storm."

"The response from artists has been humbling," adds editor-in-chief Josh Jackson. "We put out an appeal for rare tracks to thank our donors, and all these really cool songs started pouring in, as well as the warmest words of encouragement." As singer/songwriter Cary Brothers puts it, “Times are tough in the music industry, and now more than ever we need people like the team at Paste looking out for artists on the fringe of the mainstream.”

Donations can be made at http://www.pastemagazine.com/savepaste.