Laide is Adelaide.

Laide is a collective of well seasoned, goon drinking, artistic youths who aim to dismantle our state stereotypes and cause a creative storm on our streets.

We provide a platform for local talent and are locally run.

We’re not pretending to be something that we’re not. We are what we are – we get just as hungover, defeated, amused, confused and refused as you.

We are an unstoppable force.

Ever since the demise of street icon Merge Magazine at the beginning of the year there has been a hole in the hearts of Adelaide culture vultures. Well folks, mourn no longer - Laide Magazine is here to save the day (and those boring public transport rides).

First conceived by editor and UniSA visual arts student Antonia Marshall in March this year, Laide is a place for the talented young artists of South Australia to vent their creativity.

"I was fed up of feeling uncreative and not getting enough work together for an exhibition, or even being able to get an exhibition for that matter, so I literally posted something on Facebook to all my creative friends to see who would be interested in making a little zine," says Antonia.

"The idea was to post my work, and the work of my friends in there so that we could get stuff into the public domain; even if only a handful of people saw it, we were being proactive. Anyway, the response was HUGE and before I knew it, my little zine was turning into a magazine, we had been accepted in the first round of Renew Adelaide projects, and people were even talking about us being the next Merge!"

Laide is aiming to be a bi-monthly publication with a circulation of around 300, available for free from various pubs and retailers around town. The small circulation numbers is the product of funding constraints - the publication is currently being produced from a combination of savings, a small amount of advertising, and donations.

But it's not about the money; Antonia just wants to give Adelaide's young artists a chance to share their talents.

"All our contributors and featured artists etc. are either undergrad students, completely unqualified, or recent grads. It is so hard to get work or exhibitions without a degree, so we want to showcase those who are 'on the rise'. Talented individuals who have no other forum on which to show the world what they can do."

While reluctant to accept the title of 'the next Merge', Antonia does acknowledge the difficulties associated with self-publishing in such a small city.

"I have big plans for Laide. I would love to help launch careers through what we do, but as we have seen through the downfall of Merge, it's just not that easy. It is so sad to see them go, I just hope we can survive!"

She then adds:

    "Even if we do fail, I have still learnt a lot, even after one issue. Most importantly I have learnt that you really can do anything you put your mind to. It's just a matter of how badly you want it."  

Issue #1: The Balloon issue features the talents of The Nicker teens, Sooky La La, Ankle and a whole heap of balloons! If you're around the traps and want to get your hands on one of the first copies, head along to Rhino Room on Friday, June 11 from 10pm for the Laide launch party.

Alternatively, keep track of stockists and other exciting developments via Laide's Facebook page, and if you'd like to advertise, donate or get involved, email Antonia.