About nine and a half years ago, when Tiny Mix Tapes was learning to walk on its two legs (and on stilts… Mr P is an interesting father), another child was born in the webzine era: Foxy Digitalis. Initially a dead tree zine from the late 90s created by Brad Rose, he resurrected the zine with his newly-wedded wife Eden Hemming after they moved to Seattle, this time using the web as the means of publication to maintain lower costs and keep things current. Primarily run by the couple, they began hiring writers by 2005, and have grown immensely since in its scope, getting a redesign in 2010. Through its focus on music outside the realm of even indie music, we at TMT always felt a certain kindred spirit with the publication, especially those of us who write for Cerberus.
But times change, and responsibilities add up quickly. Eden and Brad also created the Digitalis label around the same time as Foxy Digitalis, and as time went on, the label also grew. Eden has mostly stepped back from day-to-day operations at Foxy Digitalis, leaving the work on Brad’s shoulders. Outside the realm of music, the couple is with child, expecting his/her birth sometime this year. In situations like this, it’s not hard to see people making sacrifices on what they do, even the things they love, much to the detriment of others. Still, there is a point when things can be too much, and it takes a certain amount of bravery and dignity to do the right thing and not only admit this, but also give up something you love for your own sake, and the sake of others.
That is precisely what Brad and Eden did today. Effective today, with two very poignant posts by the couple, Foxy Digitalis has ceased publication. The site now stands as an archive for the foreseeable future, much like the previous iteration. But this does not stand for the end of Foxy Digitalis as a community, as it will continue on through fellow webzine Decoder. Brad, in agreement with Decoder editor Dwight Pavlovic, will merge the two communities as part of Decoder’s site redesign, currently underway. The site will relaunch with this integration sometime in late February or early March.
We here at TMT would like to extend our sympathies to Foxy Digitalis, and wish Brad and Eden the best of luck on their future endeavors.
• Digitalis Industries: http://www.digitalisindustries.com