Pitchfork

Hippies, stoners, and folk freaks the world over wept today as it was announced that Arthur magazine will close its doors after five glorious years of delivering discourse and pretty pictures on art, music, and more to our marijuana-stained hands. As confirmed by editor Jay Babcock, Arthur will cease operations effective immediately.

Arthur, printed bi-monthly in oversize format and available free at the savvier venues, bookstores, and record shops near you, set up shop in October 2002. In addition to publishing articles, interviews, artwork, and more on/by Thurston Moore, Arthur C. Clarke, Spike Jonze, Devendra Banhart, Will Oldham, Joanna Newsom, Joe Strummer, and others-- and playing a vital role in the freak folk boom of a few years back-- Arthur also hosted/curated a number of festivals, including Arthur Nights in the magazine's home city of Los Angeles.

Additionally, Arthur founded Bastet as its publishing imprint, which went on to release discs from Sunn O))) and Arthur's own Million Tongues Festival, as well as what's arguably the definitive freak-folk compilation, the Devendra Banhart-curated Golden Apples of the Sun. No word yet whether Arthur will continue hosting events or publishing via Bastet, but Pitchfork wishes the best for all involved with the adventurous publication.