dB 400

So here we are. Fifteen years of publishing excellence, or 400 editions of fine and incisive writing and reviews; whichever way you want to look at things it marks a mighty achievement for an independent publication.

It is customary on occasions such as these to allow a little latitude for waffling, a little room for self indulgence, and a little smile for a job well done. Now who are we to buck a trend? I'm thrilled that dB Magazine has grown and prospered, and remains as true to its ideals and founding principles as it was in edition number 1 - Volume 1 No. 1 it was rather grandly named at the time. The 'volume' bit dropped by the wayside, a couple of founding partners came and went, but dB Magazine pushed ahead. I'd written an article about touring on the road with a university band for that first ever issue, having arrived back in the office late on a Sunday night in late September 1991.

It was an exciting time to launch a 'streetmag'; the Adelaide music scene was in the doldrums so the only way was up. Bands were showing the sort of toughness and resilience which stood them in good stead through their careers. The performing arts in areas such as theatre and dance were reaching new heights in performance excellence, and there seemed a real feeling of opportunity. The Fringe and the Festival of Arts were becoming real forces at work in the development of the city's character.

Along the way the dB Magazine staff have thrilled to the highs of our friends - to name two will suffice - the Australian Dance Theatre and the barnstorming recent success of the Hilltop Hoods. We have stood quietly in the wings watching the less savoury - the emasculation of Peter Sellers' vision for the Adelaide Festival a few years back springs to mind. And we've had a hoot nearly every second of the time.

So there I was, in 1991, having to wait my turn to type my story up on our second (borrowed) computer. Back then, a RAM upgrade on our Mac computers was $480 to double its power from 4MB to 8MB and a typical hard disk was 40MB total capacity.

So times change: we've been here through the digital revolution - it promised so much and brought us spam, the death of the printed word - but the magazine remains healthy and our website at www.dbmagazine.com.au flourishes. Then there was the adoption of full colour printing for magazines such as ours - our first full colour cover came when Weddings Parties Anything graced edition #50.

Behind the scenes there's been major changes in the way things are done, with email driving the fax machine towards obsolescence, cut 'n paste artwork being replaced by the PDF, and film separations by direct to plate printing.

Funnily enough, the dedication and hard work which goes into producing every edition of dB Magazine hasn't wavered one little bit. Our writers and reviewers still agonise over every phrase, the editorial team still read and check every word on every page, a real person answers every telephone call to our offices, and our delivery team still carry every bundle of magazines on distribution day, each and every fortnight. It's a team thing, and every one of the hundreds of dedicated people who have worked with and for dB Magazine over the past fifteen years deserve a pat on the back and a nod of recognition. But how would you know them? Nearly every one who has worked at dB Magazine has gone about their job quietly and professionally, and without great fanfare. I salute them all, over 500 friends, contributors, and helpers and staff.

Of course we've changed; we're fifteen years older, for a start. Our readership have grown up with us, written to us and joined us for some of the fun. We pick up new readers along the way and they tend to be a very loyal tribe indeed, and it is their enthusiasm which allows the magazine to keep on keepin' on... it's a supply and demand thing. To all the readers, I say thank you for your vote of confidence in us, from one edition to the next.

It's also good form to thank our sponsors and advertisers, without whom we very surely would not still be around. It takes time to foster the trust implied in a strong working relationship with companies who expect the best, and who accept our somewhat uncompromising stance. I thank them all.

Back in June 1999 dB Magazine celebrated its 200th issue. It didn't mark any great occasion but it seemed like a good round number, it measured some sort of survival instinct in the staff and writers and, after all, we'd just come through 'the recession we had to have'. For that issue, Editor (& Publisher) Arna Eyers-White wrote of the previous seven years. "Through it all, we've been most interested in having a good time. An informed and challenging good time. The focus of dB Magazine has been an unwavering support for the arts and entertainment; in finding and promoting the very best on offer in as many fields or styles as we can..."

So let's raise a cheer, and have a drink: "To all those who have sailed on the good ship dB Magazine, and will continue to do so."

Alex Wheaton
Editor