Porch Beers

Porch Beers was published between 2021 and 2023. The zine took a look at pop culture through -queer, trans, and Appalachian lenses. Eight issues and a “best of” issues 1-3 were published.

Issue 1: Fandom
Fandom explores the highs and lows of loving a piece of pop culture. I detail a handful of the things I’ve enjoyed in life, from Cats the Musical to karaoke to Britney Spears. I also dig into why I’ve fallen out of love with two of my oldest fandoms, Hanson and Rocky Horror (hint: the reasons are related)

Issue 2: Wild, Weird, and Wonderful
Issue 2 details the great state of West Virginia. I talk about the food, folklore, local band the Argument, Dolly Parton, and more. Less travelogue than memory dump, I talk about why I left, and why I wouldn’t rule out coming back.

Issue 3: A Bargain Basement Version of Songbook
In Issue 3, I pick a dozen or so of my favorite songs and write about the memories attached to them. Everyone from Springsteen to Kendrick Lamar gets a spin, and I even spend a few articles trying to figure out the eternal burning question: what is the best song ever?

Issue 4: All the Bacon and Eggs You Have
Issue 4 is my food issue, in which I talk about how food has intersected with poverty, emotions, and memory in my life. I write about everything from Chinese food in West Virginia to my five favorite meals ever, as well as how grateful I was to see a Burger King after 18 hours stuck on the highway in the snow.

Issue 4.5: A People’s History of the Food Revolution
Originally intended as a brief article for issue 4, this spun off into its own issue. Twelve years after it aired, I watch and critique Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution series film in Huntington. The second half of this issue contains interviews with folks involved with the show in various capacities.

Issue 5: Radically and Unapologetically Queer
It’s Pride time, baybee! In this issue, I write about all things queer and trans, from a brief history of LGBTQ country artists to my own coming out to keeping queer joy in the face of oppressive forces.

Issue 6: The Zine of Job
A heavier issue than usual, Issue 6 is a deep dive into my history of mental illness. Topics range from maladaptive daydreams and jealousy to domestic violence and schizophrenia.

Issue 7: At the Movies
One of my favorite subjects, Issue 7 reviews some of my top 10 movies. It also speaks on the movie experience as a whole, from going to the theaters after COVID restrictions lifted to making my own indie films.

Issue 8: Tales of a Burlesque Nothing
A change of pace from the typical issue of Porch Beers, issue 8 talks about the five years (give or take) I did burlesque. A long form memoir style, anyone who has toured or done DIY entertainment and art can relate.

Porch Beers: The Best of Issues 1-3
Issues 1-3 have long been out of print for various reasons, but this compendium takes the best articles of the three issues and displays them for your reading pleasure.

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