MNSTRM Media

MNSTRM Media alternative music magazine
dropping vowels was really cool when we started in 2016

MNSTRM Media is an online magazine based out of central Ohio founded by music photographer Rickie McCanna. MNSTRM is pronounced like "mainstream", due to the fact we are everything but mainstream. We are an online and print publication based around the Punk, Rock, Alternative & Metal music scene. Founded in 2016, we started MNSTRM to avoid rules, regulations and to celebrate artistic freedom. We c

onsider ourselves a group of photographers who are growing, learning and constantly getting better, one gig at a time.

It’s my birthday month, so we’re doing something fun.The newest issue of MNSTRM is completely FREE to read.This issue is...
03/12/2026

It’s my birthday month, so we’re doing something fun.
The newest issue of MNSTRM is completely FREE to read.

This issue is a little shorter than our usual releases, but it still includes March album drops you should have on your radar and a few artists we think are seriously worth paying attention to right now.
If you’ve been curious about MNSTRM but haven’t subscribed yet, this is the perfect chance to check it out and see what we’re building.
Read the issue, explore the artists, and if you enjoy it, consider subscribing to support independent music journalism.

📕Cover by .photo
📝Edited by
🔗 Link in bio to read the issue.

There was a time when paying for music wasn’t controversial, it was just how artists survived. So when Napster happened,...
02/24/2026

There was a time when paying for music wasn’t controversial, it was just how artists survived.

So when Napster happened, the question wasn’t “is this legal?”
It was “do artists still deserve to be paid?”

The January issue revisits Metallica vs. Napster, not as a joke or a villain story, but as a moment we misunderstood and one we’re still living with today.

Is it really a bad thing to expect people to pay for music?
Or did we just get used to not having to?

The full piece is available in the January issue.
Buying the issue or subscribing directly supports independent music journalism that can take the time to ask these questions without turning them into hot takes.

MNSTRM 65 IS HERE!https://www.mnstrmmedia.com/januaryThe January issue of MNSTRM captures a moment where live music stil...
01/10/2026

MNSTRM 65 IS HERE!

https://www.mnstrmmedia.com/january

The January issue of MNSTRM captures a moment where live music still feels urgent, physical, and worth paying attention to. Across reviews, essays, and long-form coverage, Issue 65 focuses on artists who show up with intention, whether they’re headlining sold-out rooms, grinding through club tours, or challenging the systems that shape how music survives in 2026.

This issue leans heavily into the live experience. A deep dive into the 20 year old Metallica beef to Cameron Whitcomb’s deeply grounded performance at Newport Music Hall, these pieces center on sincerity over spectacle. Coverage of The Band CAMINO, All Time Low with Mayday Parade, Memphis May Fire, Shakey Graves, In Color, and Night Cap highlights the range of spaces where connection still happens, from packed arenas to rooms that feel one step away from a basement show.

Alongside the live reporting, January includes a reflective album review revisiting Down’s NOLA thirty years later, framing the record not as nostalgia but as a lasting statement of creative independence. The issue is anchored by a long-form editorial examining Metallica vs. Napster, not as a cultural punchline, but as an early warning about ownership, labor, and what artists would eventually lose in the streaming era.

photos from & in Massachusetts by Full gallery available on our website! 📸
11/14/2025

photos from & in Massachusetts by

Full gallery available on our website! 📸

The new issue of MNSTRM centers on artists who are actively shaping the alternative landscape, with coverage that stays ...
11/10/2025

The new issue of MNSTRM centers on artists who are actively shaping the alternative landscape, with coverage that stays focused on craft, intent, and the realities of creating in 2025. This edition brings together a mix of live reporting, long-form conversations, and grounded editorials that highlight the work happening both on major stages and in tightly packed local rooms.

Inside, Bad Suns’ “Acceleratour” gets a detailed look at how a band can refine their sound without losing momentum. Marilyn Hucek’s feature traces the path of an independent artist finding clarity in a crowded digital era. Our Peach Pit piece leans into the full-scale nostalgia of their RuneScape-themed tour stop at KEMBA. And Horace Pinker offers a rare, decades-spanning perspective on staying rooted in punk without bending to industry trends.

Issue 64 also includes an editorial on artist accessibility and the ongoing challenges musicians face navigating royalties, distribution, and the business side of their work. Together, the pieces form a snapshot of the scene as it exists now, practical, creative, and built by artists who continue to evolve without losing their sense of direction.

Direct coverage, clean storytelling, and a focus on the musicians themselves.

https://www.mnstrmmedia.com/november

‼️ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️If you were a previous issuu subscriber please fill out our contact form at www.mnstrmmedia.com/co...
11/10/2025

‼️ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️

If you were a previous issuu subscriber please fill out our contact form at www.mnstrmmedia.com/contact to redeem your remaining issues in your subscription. We’re unable to automatically transfer subscriptions to our new platform. Thank you for being patient and understanding in this transition and especially for supporting local media 🫶

New subscription model will be available in early 2026
The November issue will be available at noon on our website for $1.99 for any non-subscribers!

The transition into self publishing and reviewing our archives has been a tremendous amount of work but it’s so great re...
10/23/2025

The transition into self publishing and reviewing our archives has been a tremendous amount of work but it’s so great revising new issues. Our 2017 archive is live and on our website and available for free download. This is one our favorite years and was our first full year as a publication! There’s so much history in music we’ve documented (even things like Billie Ellish’s first tour) from this year, 🔗 in bio!

“That’s part of the appeal, he doesn’t act like this is owed to him. He seems to recognize how fragile and rare it all i...
10/09/2025

“That’s part of the appeal, he doesn’t act like this is owed to him. He seems to recognize how fragile and rare it all is.”

Read our coverage of Benson Boone at in our September issue of MNSTRM, available on our website!

Our September issue was absolutely stacked! Here’s a roundup of what went out in our most recent issue. This issue is av...
10/09/2025

Our September issue was absolutely stacked! Here’s a roundup of what went out in our most recent issue. This issue is available on our website, only $1.99 for an instant digital download 🫶

https://www.mnstrmmedia.com

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: https://www.mnstrmmedia.com/applyMNSTRM Media has been documenting the pulse of alternative musi...
09/30/2025

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: https://www.mnstrmmedia.com/apply

MNSTRM Media has been documenting the pulse of alternative music since 2016. What started as a small, DIY publication built out of a genuine love for the scene has grown into a platform that champions punk, rock, metal, and everything in between, from underground shows to arena tours. Over the years, we’ve covered hundreds of artists, published dozens of print and digital issues, and built a passionate community of photographers, writers, and music lovers who care deeply about preserving the culture.

We’re always looking to grow that community by connecting with photographers who share that same drive. Whether you thrive in the photo pit, specialize in portraits, or love capturing the candid in-between moments that tell a bigger story, we want to hear from you.

This application is the first step toward joining our creative team. Tell us about your experience, the kinds of shows or projects that excite you, and share a bit of your work. We welcome both seasoned photographers and emerging talent who are eager to build their portfolios, collaborate with a dedicated editorial team, and contribute to the evolving story of alternative music.

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261 Main St
Worcester, MA
01608

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