Grand Royal Magazine Issue #3
Beastie Boys / Grand Royal / 1996
GOAL: Chronicle the history of the synthesizer through firsthand interviews and original reporting, elevate Grand Royal’s editorial voice with deeper cultural features, and blend musical innovation, subcultural history, and visual storytelling in a single issue.
Challenges
Coordinating multiple long-form interviews with artists, engineers, and publishers
Making niche technical subjects accessible and entertaining for a wide fan base
Balancing editorial depth with the magazine’s irreverent tone
Approach
Authored the issue’s cover story tracing the cultural rise of the synthesizer
Orchestrated interviewed key figures including Keyboard Money Mark, Walter Sear, Brian Kehew, Bob Moog, Wendy Carlos, Dick Hyman, and Dave VanKovering
Oversaw editorial coordination for features on synth culture and the underground publishing house Holloway House
Commissioned the cover artist to visualize a synthesizer-as-spaceship locked in battle—an image reflecting the experimental energy of the issue
Provided editorial guidance on tone, structure, and flow across features to keep the magazine sharp and culturally relevant
Iron-On Insert
Outcomes
Anchored Grand Royal Issue #3 with a deep cultural narrative that resonated with musicians, fans, and industry insiders
Contributed one of the magazine’s most widely referenced issues, linking pop culture and analog innovation
Helped cement Grand Royal’s legacy as both a cultural zine and a credible editorial platform
Photos by Peter. J. Relic