A Letter From The Editors

Image by Amelia Read

Words: Claire Dupree

Back when I started NARC. in 2006, I don’t think I ever thought about the end. At 26, a two-decade career doing something you love seemed like a mythical thing, and yet here I am…

In stewarding NARC. over the last 20 years, there are three simple rules I have always tried to stick to: to be nice to people, to be honest and ethical about the way we do business, and to always have our reader at the heart of what we do. At times it has been fucking hard; I take criticism personally and barely suppress a raging imposter syndrome; a bloody-minded determination has occasionally blinkered me; and bad mistakes…well, we’ve all made a few. But I can hand-on-heart tell you that dedicating the last 20 years of my life to this magazine, the North East scene and…well, you…has been a true honour.

You should know by now why NARC. exists – to champion regional alt. music and culture – a fact that won’t change with the end of the print version. In fact, we’re pretty good at it by now, and I reckon we’ll only get better online. Our shift away from the printed format has nothing to do with the ‘death of print media’ (shudder); in truth, the magazine has never been in a stronger position, and – as I discovered from the outpouring of emotion upon the announcement of the changes we’re making – it has never been more loved.

My decision was based on the future. I have spent 20 years doing the same job, with endless deadlines pinning me to my desk; as I’ve gotten older my obsessive tendencies have shifted to other things – travel, nature – and the freelance work that once just paid the bills has now morphed into something more fulfilling, that gives me freedom to explore and push at the edges of my comfort zone. I’ve been so busy that I’ve never had time to put into motion the ideas that’ve been rattling around my head; I love telling people about how amazing the North East is, and there are so many other things I want to do and stories I want to tell.

And so, my decision to stop publishing NARC. is, perhaps, a selfish one; I want more time to do other things. I’ve somehow stumbled into a burgeoning travel writing career; over the last few years I’ve been editing tourism guides to Northumberland, North Yorkshire and the Lake District, and I have a commission to write a guidebook to New Zealand for an actual proper international publisher (cue a resurgence of raging imposter syndrome, BTW). I want to help people discover amazing things, on their doorstep or on the other side of the world, just as I always have with this magazine.

Alongside a wonderful team, past and present, I think we have built something special, and the effects and efforts of our work will, I hope, continue to be felt – online, in print and, always, in my heart. Thank you for reading.

Words: David Saunders

First off, I’m unbelievably sad that this is NARC. magazine’s final printed edition. The North East has been lucky to have a publication with such character, quality and integrity. It’s a presence that will be missed by artists and culture vultures across the region.

I’ve loved NARC. in every role I’ve had – as a reader, an artist (Goy Boy McIlroy, The Black Sheep Frederick Dickens, Wax Heart Sodality), an independent promoter, through my work with Tracks and Tees Music Alliance, and even as a podcast host. As I live to remind Claire, the first review I received in the magazine (a single for Goy Boy McIlroy) was brutal, but it was honest and pushed us to rethink and improve. From then on, I always got in touch with Claire or Si Beckwith (the web guy before me), and they were consistently supportive. Eventually, I started writing for the magazine – my first piece was a front cover, double-page feature with Lanterns On The Lake. Claire’s editorial guidance turned what could’ve been an anxious experience into a positive one.

In 2019, burned out and ready to quit music, I saw Claire advertising for a web coordinator. Motivated by how NARC. champions local talent, I applied. Claire took a chance on me, and I’ve never looked back.

Since then, I’ve written hundreds of web features, and Claire even changed my title to web editor to appease my ego. Over the years, I’ve been involved in our Tues-DIY music advice round table sessions, NARC. TV (which brought live music to the region during lockdown), and NARC. Academy – a Youth Music-funded project supporting emerging writers. I even took over editorial duties when Claire was away travelling.

I want to thank Claire for all the support she’s given me as an artist, a writer and a friend, her passion, skill and conduct have been an inspiration to me. It will leave a void in my working life that can only be filled with loads of long-distance running. Despite the melancholy around the magazine ending, I’m really happy for Claire. She’s worked incredibly hard to build something positive and lasting, and now it’s time for her next chapter. She’s always been a keen traveller and a passionate writer and I’ve no doubt I’ll see her name on books in airport shops soon. That said, based on potential future plans, this won’t be the last time her writing champions the North East and its cultural scene.

Lastly, I’ll be continuing as web editor, shining a spotlight on the richness of the North East’s music and cultural scene. So please keep sending us your work, sharing our features, and help us build on the relationship the magazine has with the creatives and activists who add colour to our lives.