Stourport and Birmingham acts make the cut in new fanzine

A new fanzine has launched with its mission being to promote women in the music industry - and artists from Stourport-on-Severn and Birmingham were included in its first issue.

Go Ask Alice is a new fanzine promoting women in music with artwork from Oliko Alexandra

Go Ask Alice launched this month in time for International Women's Day and is created by twin sisters Rita and Malicia Dabrowicz, who together run A&R and music promotion organisation Vanadian Avenue.

Vanadian Avenue's area of operations includes north Worcestershire, the Wyre Forest and Birmingham, and two acts from the region have been included in issue one.

Birmingham's unofficial queen of grunge MeMe Detroit and Stourport singer-songwriter Chloe Mogg - both former The Ticket Unsigned page stars - have been profiled in the publication aimed at pushing both solely female and mixed acts unattached to record labels into the public conscious.

A statement on the first page reads: "We believe that there are not enough female voices on the radio, at gigs and in the music business in general. Go Ask Alice tries to fill the void by showcasing some of the talent on the independent circuit."

Each artist has their own page with pictures, biographies of their achievements so far, and all their social media links so you can follow them and hear their work.

And Birmingham's MeMe was proud to be included, saying: "It was an honour to be included in the Go Ask Alice fanzine amongst so many amazing artists.

"It’s ace to have that support, especially as a female performer. We’ve always had to shout louder to be noticed and platforms like this amplify it even more for us. Times are changing from that bore off, old-fashioned “female fronted is a genre” way of thinking and it’s imperative we continue to pave the way together for future female and female-identifying artists."

Also included in issue one are Good habits from Manchester, Idealistics from Cambridge, Sheffield's MOLLYANNA, Nic Evennett of Kent and Leeds' Weekend Recovery. The cover art is provided by Polish professional manga artist Oliko Alexandra.

Chloe Mogg was also chuffed to be included, saying: "It was amazing to be part of a female-empowering 'zine.

"It's so important for us all to stick together, especially at the moment. I host a Female Voices Night at the Tower of Song [on Pershore Road, Birmingham] which gives females a wonderful platform to showcase their songwriting abilities.

"I'm so thankful for Vanadian Avenue who give all unsigned acts the platform that they deserve."

Co-founder Malicia told The Star: "We also wanted to prove that despite odds and illnesses musicians can build successful careers in the industry.

"Some of the artists in the 'zine fight incredible battles - Chloe Mogg tours despite having ME and also received airplay by national radio stations such as BBC 6 Music. These are hugely talented artists and inspirational people who push at the boundaries of the music industry. It is time for them to be noticed."

The twin sisters, originally from Poland, pushed the fanzine out to national radio outlets such as Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and Virgin Radio. They also targeted the written music media including Quietus, NME, VICE and Q Magazine to get it noticed. Cult record store Picadilly Records in Manchester put out copies of the zine ont heir shelves as well.

As it builds popularity, there are plans to turn Go Ask Alice into a quarterly or bi-monthly organisation.

"We know that some of the artists have already received air play on national and regional radio thanks to the zine, one band is in talks with management and a record label and a few gigs have been booked," Malicia added. "But it is still early to say what else has been managed."

To obtain copies of the publication and for more information on how to get involved, email the organisers at vanadianavenue@gmail.com