A young punk music fan has become a global hit and secured interviews with internationally acclaimed rock stars for his fanzine, Pint-Sized Punk, that he created as a homeschooling project.
10-year old Arlo Lippiatt, from Saltford, Somerset is the reporter, photographer, illustrator, and editor of the magazine, and is now shipping copies as far away as Australia. He’s interviewed a number of bands, including the Manic Street Preachers, according to the BBC.
Arlo sells his homemade fanzine for £3 a copy, and after only two issues has seen a huge uptake in sales. He says he will continue to produce editions even when he returns to school. Copies of Pint-Sized Punk are available from record stores in the local area, as well as online, where music fans all over the world are placing orders.
Arlo said: “It was originally a homeschooling project. It was a little challenge I set myself. I didn’t think it would become this big! I thought only family and friends would buy it. The name was my mum’s idea.”
He says he was nervous conducting interviews, to begin with, but now finds it the most natural thing. Everyone has been nice, but his best interviews have been with smaller bands, he added.
The first edition was 24 pages long but quickly expanded to 48 pages by the second issue.
The homeschooling project has taught him several lessons, including maths for the costs of running a magazine, English for the words, and IT for the design and publication of the fanzine.
Arlo’s interest in punk music began a little over a year ago and has been to several gigs. He has conducted interviews via video calls, and the big acts he has quizzed include Idles and Super Furry Animals.
Mum Hannah said she set her son the project when she realised he was getting restless with the official schoolwork had been given, and the school has been incredibly supportive of his endeavour.
“He’s interviewing, researching and editing. He’s also been keeping a chart of where the magazine is sent. Arlo can get away with asking some quite silly questions,” she said.
He said to Super Furry Animals: “You haven’t done anything in a while — what are you doing?”
Hannah explained that he is learning the difference between people giving honest answers and PR mandated responses.
In a week when stalwart UK music magazine Q ceased publication, the 1,000+ copies of Pint-Sized Punk being sold prove there is still a market for print.
Arlo has already planned out the next two editions, having already completed the interviews.
His dad, Ross, is a key worker, so has been unable to be as involved in the project, and Arlo’s 8-year old sister isn’t quite the punk fan.
Hannah added: “We’ve asked her [to join in], but she’s more into pop music. The offer is always there!”
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