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Lighting
a Fire of Thoughts and Ideas:
Ideas is Matches
An
interview with Clodagh
by Elke Zobl
March 2002
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In Ideas is Matches #3 Clodagh not only reviews
other zines (mostly from Dublin and the UK) but also shares her travel
experience through Europe and recommends places she enjoyed. Read here
more about her and her "hot" zine!
Can
you tell me first a little bit about yourself? How old are you, where
are you originally from and where do you reside now?
Sure.
My name is Clodagh. I am almost 25, I was born and reared in Dublin,
Ireland and apart from a few weeks or months in different places around
the world (nothing substantial) this is where I've lived all my life.
I love Dublin, I know a lot of people here, and it's a good spot.
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What
do you do besides your zine?
Lots
of stuff. Hmmm. Right now I am keeping very busy, it's great. I work
full time, in an office, I am learning by trial and error how to teach
reading and writing skills to adults who have had little formal education
in their lives. I am quite active in the underground music scene and
put on gigs weekly in club GZ with some others. I'm also in a band called
easpa measa, I sing. My social scene is mostly attending gigs; I also
like to watch films, read, hang out and drink beer and coffee!
For
how long have you been running your zine?
Issue
one of ideas is matches came out in the summer of 98 (four years)
How
many issues did you put out until now?
Just
3 I'm afraid, but another one on the way!
Are
you the only editor or is there a team?
It's
just myself. Ideas is matches is my own vehicle for personal expression,
I don't think I would feel comfortable if it was a team effort, or co-edited.
What
made you decide to start this project?
I can't remember exactly, I think I probably
had some stuff on my chest, or information I wanted to share, and putting
it in writing was the best way I knew of communicating with the masses.
How
did you come up with the idea and the name?
I
was inspired by all the other zines I had read over the years, the name
is stolen from an illustration in a red monkey 7", a picture of
a wee monkey lighting the fuse of a bomb with the caption "ideas
is matches", for me it is a positive title: reflecting the content
of my zine. I like the notion that my ideas and thoughts can start a
fire!
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What
topics are most often discussed in your zine?
Whatever
is getting on my tits at that particular time, or whatever is floating
my boat, past topics include; thoughts of my involvement in the scene,
food, menstruation politics, relationships, travel, work, feminism(s),
various moral dilemmas.
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What
do you hope to accomplish by establishing your zine?
Self-expression
mostly, put my voice, my point of view in the public domain. Zines are
an amazing opportunity to participate and have a say in what is going
on in "the scene". if I'm lucky spark thought and make a few
friends.
What
does zine making (and reading) mean to you?
Zines
are the most important thing in punk to me. It's my art-from, I think
I'd have gone mad if I didn't have it. Reading them is a way for me
to learn what's going on in the scene and in the work through a pure
media form.
What
do you love about zine making?
Ummmm…
everything… I suppose the feeling of completion when you've photocopied
a load of them and are at home stapling them together.
What's
the most challenging aspect of making zines?
Most
challenging thing is, like anything, making a start, and believing it's
good enough, layout is also a challenge, in the past I've gotten a lot
of help from my friend, Stephen.
What
was your first exposure to zines?
Freesheets
such as gearhead nation and react in record shops around the city which
I encountered first c. 1994
How
did you find out about them?
Well,
they were sitting on the shelves of record shops, or at gigs. I sent
away for zines mentioned in reviews and it went on from there.
What
have they come to mean to you?
They've
come to mean everything - education, inspiration, motivation
Do
you think zines can effect meaningful social and political change?
Probably. Dissemination of ideas, theories, advice
can effect social and political change.
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What
does the zine community mean to you?
I
don't really feel like part of a zine community, I mean I know my zines
are out there and people get something out of it, I've got some nice
feedback and some positive reviews but i'' not in ongoing communication
with any zine ladies, really. I think your website is a good start from
communication --i'' lazy though… what can I say…
What
advice would you give others who want to start a zine?
Just
fukking go for it! Write from your heart, don't try and fake a style.
Make it as legible as possible, I like arial font. Check for spelling
errors! Starting the the most difficult part. Put something out there
and then build on the effort. Send copies to big international zines
for review.
What
are some of the zines you admire?
Reason
to Believe (UK), Jakes Wrath (Cork, Ireland); Scrawl (Belfast, Ireland);
Synthesis (UK). Personality liberation Front (Australia)
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collage
from ideas is matches #3
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Could
you please describe a little bit the grrrl zine community in you country?
In
Ireland, there are two girls who have put out a zine in the last year,
that I know of. She (Liadain) is an amazing writer and I look forward
to reading more of her stuff when she finishes school. [I am the other
girl]
Do you define yourself as a feminist?
Yes.
Isn't every woman?
What
are the most pressing issues you are confronted with in daily life (as
a woman/feminist)?
I
try not to take shit from people who treat me different or badly just
because I'm female. I have to say that although there are a few exceptions,
most of the "scene" guys are respectful and treat women as
equals.
Recently there was a referendum on abortion in this country. It's ridiculous,
there is a demand for abortion, but the government refuse to acknowledge
this, yet 19 women travel abroad for abortions EVERY DAY. Reproduction
issues really get my goat these days. In Ireland sex education is a
joke, a lot of women don't understand how their bodies work, condoms
are ridiculously expensive and abortion unavailable.
Are
you active in the feminist movement?
What
feminist movement? I just do my own thing and try not to be judgemental
and hate oher women, sometimes I feel I've been socialised to do this.
What
do you think about feminism today?
I
don't really know anything about feminsim today, as far as I'm concerned
it should be a practical movement, ya just get on with what ou want
to do and communicate.
Do
you see yourself as part of "third Wave feminism" and what
does it mean to you?
That
term doesn't mean anything to me. Sorry.
Which
role plays the Internet for you?
I
use to it communicate with friend, band and zine contacts, and to keep
informed about activities in my city.
I don't think we sites compare to having a zine arrive in the post,
and reading it at your leisure on the bus, with a cup of coffee in the
sun or in bed.
Does
it change your ideas of making zines?
No..
not really..
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Do
you have any suggestions? Something you want to add?
My next zine is going to be full of interviews/chats
with movers and shakers in Dublin. I'd love if you could distro my zine
in our scene.
Thanks for asking my opinon.
Clodagh
57 Woodview,
Lucan,
Co. Dublin, Ireland
clodagh@gurlmail.com
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