OC Music News (OCMN) is an American music news and popular culture digital magazine. Established in 2019, the magazine’s initial footprint was set up to cover the music industry specific to Rock, Alternative-Rock, Punk, Ska and Reggae genres of all eras along with related sub-genres. Over the years OCMN has expanded its coverage to other genres, such as Country, R&B, Rap and Pop.
OCMN is best known for its daily publication of music industry features, interviews, concert and festival previews and reviews.
OCMN was founded in November of 2019. It is based in Orange, California and published through BNG Marketing.
The origin of the magazine goes back to staff that were part of OC Weekly, an Orange County-based online and paper magazine, which closed its doors in November 2019. As a result of the OC Weekly closure, a few former OC Weekly staff members coordinated to create a temporary home for stories that were already in development and ready for publication.
Shortly thereafter, when it was clear the OC Weekly in its past form would not be resurrected, OCMN organizers named its Editorial staff and launched its standalone website. It was subsequently followed by all its social media pages which remain in place today.
OC Music News [“OCMN”] was established in association with with TNN RADIO andGreen-Eyed Blonde Photography. Initial technical support provided by Smash Magazine | Las Vegas.
PUBLICATION HISTORY:
The magazine’s reach was initially forecasted to cover Orange County, and slowly venture into surrounding counties ( Los Angeles, Riverside San Diego & Ventura). The initial rollout was a success; the magazine subsequently expanded in Q3-2020 to a national footprint. Contributors (columnists and photographers) span the nation to support coverage. In Q2-2021, the magazine’s reach was extended with supported followers throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
WEBSITE & DESIGN:
The initial OC Music News website was a biproduct of the TNN RADIO online presence. The OCMN standalone site was launched in January, 2020. Today’s website is powered by Wordpress.
The original OCMN logo was designed by John Gilhooley Studios, later versions and iterations were drafted by Amber Customs. Additional initial artwork were provided by Bill Adams. Current logo was designed by Rachael Contreras. UX Design by Alaina Pierce Imaging, Multi-Media Design by Savannah Just. Seasonal logos and other marketing material provided by Amber Customs. The 2021 website re-vamp developed by Cameron Schuyler Design. The 2023 website and social media pages re-branding executed by Cameron Schuyler Design. UI Design and other Animation by Jose Johnny Corona, Jr., Data Assets by Curt Turner.
LOGO DEGIGN by John Gilhooley Studios
EARLY SUCCESS:
OCMN gained immediate traction stemming from established industry relationships its contributors had in place with publicists, broadcasters and bands worldwide. Early show coverage assignments resulted in published reviews through domestic and global entertainment companies such as Live Nation, Goldenvoice and AEG.
Broadcaster support came from southern California radio icons KLOS, KROQ, ALT947, 91X, and KX FM; stories that encompass their sonic broadcasts continues. Early support from bands distinguished OCMN as an industry source for music news and reliable content. Featured interviews and show reviews include 311, The Aquabats!, The Adicts, Bad Religion, Descendents, Dirty Heads, Dirty Honey, Devo, Dramarama, English Beat, Foo Fighters, Filter, The Selecter, The Interrupters, The Offspring, Missing Persons, Oingo Boingo Former Members, Pennywise, Pixies, Rancid, Soul Asylum, Sublime with Rome, UB40, The Vandals, and X.
READERSHIP:
As of January 2023, OCMN had published 1,327 stories with a daily average reach of 15,000 to 35,000+ unique site visits. Accumulated site visits hit 25,000,000 in October 2022.
Readership is predominantly in North America, Europe, UK, Australia, Japan, Jamaica and other segments of the Caribbean, Central and South America.
OCMN TODAY:
OCMN provides a variety of stories for its readers. Staff columnists provide band stories based on interviews, previews of shows, festivals/concert reviews, as well as other relevant music news. In 2020, OCMN started a “Best Of” series (Songs, Albums – Rock, Punk, Metal). The special edition is published annually each January. In 2020, the Grammy Museum utilized OCMN photo assets for a promotional marketing campaign. In 2021, OCMN re-launched its website and social media pages to its current configuration. In 2022-23, Social Distortion utilized OCMN photo assets for their tour promotional campaign. Live Nation utilized OCMN photo assets for their artist events page.
The early days of OCMN were based through TNN RADIO, based in Laguna Beach (KX FM).
KXFM FKA KX935
The first OCMN article was a preview on a show at the Troubadour by alternative rock icons, The Pixies. The story was written by Alaina Pierce, a long-time staff photographer and writer. While the OCMN website was in development, BNG utilized the TNN website as a proxy. This first story was done very quietly, and almost overnight; and OC Music News officially launched itself into the music publication world.
FIRST ARTICLE LINK
The first featured cover story on the OC Music News Website was the reunion of Rage Against the Machine.
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE STORY LINK
2020 OCMN Promotional Logo
Created by Savannah Just
2021 Logo and Artwork
Created by Jose Corona, Jr.
2021 Promotional Stickers
Designed by Jose Corona, Jr.
2021 Promotional Media Banner
Designed by Jose Corona, Jr.
The first official event OC Music News covered as a music news organization was the One Love Cali Reggae Fest at Queen Mary Park which took place February 7 – 9, 2020.
In 2020, OC Music News photos have been used by alt rock/punk band Social Distortion for their social distancing campaign. Photos have also been used by GRAMMY.COM.
In June 2020, OCMN was issued its ISSN ID from the U.S. Library of Congress.
2022-23 Main Page Logo by Cameron Schuyler Images
In the end, it is our mission to produce a quality paper, based on solid reporting, and good storytelling. After all, good storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world.
“You have to know where you’ve been to know where you’re headed”
OC PRESS CLUB MEMBER
WORLDCAT | ISSN 2692-6717
ORANGE COUNTY | CALIFORNIA
2022-23 Event Promotional Logos by Rachael Contreras
