Cassette Culture: The Past and Present of a Musical Icon
John Z. Komurki
From videos by Frank Ocean to the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, tapes have become increasingly prominent in cinema, advertising, and, of course, the music industry. And as tape sales in the US grew by 74% last year, there is no doubt that it is time to address past, present and future of the “Compact Cassette” as icon of popular culture.
New generations of individuals, record labels and DIY communities are rediscovering its unique characteristics, adapting them to a contemporary context. In the age of soulless MP3s and similar digital formats there is a real appreciation for the physical qualities of an item that can be collected, exchanged and individually designed. This volume covers themes such as recording and design, distro as distribution source, interviews and provides a step-by-step manual to conducting own tape experiments.
John Z. Komurki, currently living in Berlin, writes about analog technology and print cultures. His books have been published in several languages. He was founding editor of Mexico City Lit, and editor of the Berlin Quarterly. Current projects include the history of the mimeograph and the study of contemporary print practices.
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