About
In 2001, Planet Verge formed in New Jersey as a music zine. Today, Planet Verge takes on a farther-reaching form as a music and indie lifestyle Web site and Internet TV show (Planet Verge TV). The all-female staff of Planet Verge reports on “what’s hot” and “what’s important” on the scene – from their latest music obsessions to causes close to their hearts.
Planet Verge launched in 2001 as a quarterly print zine and quickly became known as a go-to source for indie music. While Vice President of Virgin Records, Steven Leeds summed it up when he said “I think it’s great to see people who really support music. It’s really, really important because there’s always a Rolling Stone and a SPIN and a Circus and those metal magazines from the UK, but what you guys do is write about bands that are not on the radar to most folks yet. You provide a launching pad at a very crucial point.”
During the summer of 2003, Drive-Thru records chose Planet Verge to produce its first fanzine, which was distributed at that year’s Van’s Warped Tour. Soon, Planet Verge zine was for sale on select newsstands and staffers were featured in mainstream media outlets (PV President Joelle Caputa was interviewed for Teen People magazine and Creative Director Jordana Reim appeared on The Style Network’s The Look For Less alongside a then little-known artist named Butch Walker during an interview for Planet Verge).
There was no stopping Planet Verge as the publication jumped into the digital world in the summer of ’06, by teaming up with CinemaElectric to produce On the Verge, weekly indie music news reports for the company’s Portable Vinyl show. Hosted by then Planet Verge staffer and now Los Angeles Area Emmy Award nominated Shira Lazar, each show was available for download to mobile phones (VCAST) and You Tube.
Keeping ahead of the game, it was only a matter of time before Planet Verge went completely digital. After a brief stint producing issues strictly for viewing on PlayStation Portable (PSP) systems, the last issue of Planet Verge went to print in 2007. Nevertheless, Planet Verge went out in style with a full-color, glossy issue.
Planet Verge continued to champion the indie music scene through a constantly updated blog and in 2008 gained recognition from start-up digital network, ambush.tv, which recruited the Planet Verge to produce an Internet show. Filming began shortly after and in 2009, a revived On The Verge welcomed The Academy Is…, Hanson, Sohodolls and world renown violinist David Garrett among its first guests.
Today, Planet Verge continues its DIY roots and self-produces Planet Verge TV. Bringing viewers “what’s hot and what’s important,” the all-female Planet Verge staff continues hosting international superstars (including 30 Seconds to Mars) and capturing performances from on-the-rise indies (like Closure in Moscow and The Gay Blades), in addition to bringing awareness to vital social issues, like covering Vegan Drink Night at Angels and Kings in New York City and getting up-close and personal with endangered tigers. There’s even a new Planet Verge TV series, most notably the Going Vegan documentary featuring The Lives of Famous Men drummer Dylan Mandel.
Planet Verge makes an impact on the world, one indie rocker at a time. But most of all, Planet Verge is what its staff live and breathe. The Planet Verge Girls are playful and conscientious, some straight-edge, some vegetarian and vegan, and all living it up with regular doses of rock ‘n’ roll. The content of PlanetVerge.com reflects them. From video diaries and blog posts about health and beauty to valuable life lessons like how to change a flat tire and spot when you’re dating a player, Planet Verge is at the forefront of reporting and entertaining.
