Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to Laneway.
If you’ve just stumbled in off the street, we’re happy to have you. Whether this a misguided Google search for a better-known music festival, or the product of a tip from a mate, we’re glad you shrugged your shoulders and clicked. The same goes to friends and contributors who have been dragged through the creation process for many months now. We hope you like it.
In the future, this space will carry something with a little more substance, but we thought it fitting to dedicate the very first article in the very first issue to a welcome; to usher in friends, new and old, and find them comfy seats; to explain a little about what we’re doing, and where we’re headed. Self indulgent? Perhaps. But this is our moment, so hear us out.
To know where you’re going, you’ve got to know where you’ve come from. And Laneway’s back-story is a combination of youthful vigour, severe unemployment, and a conversation in an inner-city apartment over a few too many beers. ‘You like Melbourne too?! We should totally write about it!’
The chatty duo in question, Chris Hawthorne and Luke McKenna, became your adoring editors. The former has a degree in film and television and a knack for design (don’t you think?), and the latter qualifications in journalism. But what they share – the true force behind Laneway – is a passion for Melbourne.
So too does the ensemble of writers, photographers and creative minds who have gathered to produce the magazine – a group that extends far beyond the names listed on the site. And we can’t thank them all enough for offering their time, talents and teachings.
We hope you can find something special, enjoyable and exciting in our combined efforts. We aim to bring you the most intriguing Melbourne coverage: unique insights and perspectives, thoughtful commentary, and our special pick of events. Articles you won’t find anywhere else.
We are small, but we like to think we’re able to punch above our weight. This relies on grassroots support from contributors who know Melbourne. If you would like to get involved – and you’re sincerely welcome – we’re only a click away.
In case you’re wondering, Laneway is still planned, written, edited and published from the same city apartment to which it owes its inebriated inception. It’s the magazine’s heart, in a way – windowing out over a filthy alley, and inspirationally neighboured by the best and worst the city has to offer.
The daylight bustle of local characters and whiffs of coffee, and late-night sounds of smashing bottles, seedy alleyway drug deals and shrieking arguments are our motivators – an everyday reminder of the cultural highs and lows we intend to cover.
So once again, welcome. Grab a drink, relax, and have a chat to the blogs. Soak up the culture. The reviews are downstairs, and the gallery is to your right. Enjoy.
Eds.
Photos courtesy of Al Wilson
