As part of our annual mentorship programme, DMC Futures, Erin Glynn has been working with our Communications & Marketing Manager, Kirstin McEwan, learning more about content, social media and marketing and helping to promote Dumfries Music Conference 2020. Ahead of the conference, Erin has been speaking to some of the music industry experts that will be delivering workshops and speaking on panels at this year’s conference.

In Erin’s ‘Questions of Curiosity’, she chats to Mel Reeve who will be leading the Zine Making Workshop on Friday 16th October.

Hi Mel, would you mind telling us a little about yourself?

I’m an archivist and writer living in Glasgow. I specialise in copyright and data protection for archival sound recordings, as well as working as a freelance archivist with particular interest in LGBTQ+ heritage. I run the Bi History project to promote and preserve the history of the bisexual+ community, and with my friend run a zine distro called Fear of Making Art Press where we sell our zines! I also contribute to Glasgow Podcart’s One More Tune podcast, and am a freelance writer. Outside of work I’m a keen wild swimmer and have a big ginger cat called Isaac.

How did you get into zine making?

My friend Lott who runs FOMA with me! She gave me a zine for a birthday one year and then told me all about zine-making, and I was inspired by a few of her zines to try making my own. I ended up getting involved with FOMA and we tabled at zine fests a few times. I worked as the Archivist at Glasgow Zine Library for a couple of years. I’ve now made a fair few zines of my own which I’ve shared through FOMA – including a series for the Bi History project which has been popular, and one on aliens and prehistoric stones.

You have lots of different projects from zine making to writer and running the Bi History Project amongst others. So how do you manage to keep on top of all your projects?

I really enjoy the freedom that doing freelance work alongside my ‘day’ job allows me so I can work to my own schedule. I find that as long as I’m making time to do things that aren’t work (even if I love and enjoy that work) then it tends to be manageable!

And how has having a variety of projects been through Covid-19?

I’ve definitely noticed the kind of work I’m doing changing, I wouldn’t have imagined myself doing online workshops before, but it’s been a fun challenge to do the same work I’d done before in a new format, and to see the possibilities for better accessibility that online events offer.

What subjects are you interested in and like to write a bout in your music publications?

I’m interested in why we love the music that we love and how our lives and identities become involved with it. Also big tunes!

Who are some other Scottish zine makers that you would recommend to check out?

There are so many amazing zine makers in Scotland! Check out Dardishi, Tender Hands Press, and search the Glasgow Zine Library online catalogue which I created while working there for more ideas.

Questions of Curiosity with Mel Reeve