Stack at home: Borshch, November 2019
In her introduction, editor-in-chief Mariana Berezovska begins by asking what people are looking for when they enter the “sweaty basements and concrete cathedrals” of experimental electronic music, locating us immediately in the Berlin of Berghain and Tresor.
This issue is built around the theme of ‘dark side’ and the editorial works to understand what darkness means in music. There’s the straightforward absence of light, as explored Mariana’s story that features “spaces and festivals where a complete absence or a drastic presence of light is part of the plan” (page 80). But more often the darkness refers to something more abstract. One fascinating example is the Tunisian producer and DJ Deena Abdelwahed, who talks about the way the ‘darkness’ ascribed to her music in the West arises from cultural dissonance, noting that in the Arab world her music is perceived very differently because people understand the references she uses and their significance, whether critical, political or dramatic.
Stack subscribers loved Borshch as much as we do — here are some of our favourite bits from social media about the issue.
5. Closeup
A lovely closeup of this steamy, dreamy cover.
In the post: the latest from @StackMagazines, this remarkable experimental music publication. pic.twitter.com/LZ7mO9UuHN
— Ian McMillan (@IMcMillan) November 11, 2019
4. Netting?
One of the dark interior spreads, against a background of what looks, sexily, like netting.
3. Desk-time reading
An idyllic desk scene captured by Spanish Stack subscriber, Rodrigo Herrera.
Ya llegó @StackMagazines <3 #November: Borshch magazine pic.twitter.com/J7wzEvSl5E
— Rodrigo (@YiyoHr) November 12, 2019
2. Muse
We love this shot of Borshch on a park bench, celebrating the sensations you get when darkness comes.
Magazine about our sensations that appear when darkness comes. @StackMagazines pic.twitter.com/QO8iyVe0Db
— Viktoribat 🐝 (@ViktoribatM) December 2, 2019
1. Members club
Our winner this month is Margate-based members club Faith in Strangers, with a gorgeous floor shot.
