SALTY
What is UMAmi?
An informal free monthly music zine made in coordination with Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County’s Special Collections & Research Department.
The unique capitalization of UMAmi references its origins relating to the Oklahoma Under
Album and Show Reviews
Band interviews
Musician & Artist
Classifieds Inside Info on local happenings
Playlists featuring local artists
Fun random tangents
Monthly Calendars of Local Shows
Collaborative playlists Media reviews (mostly music-centered, sometimes not)
Submissions by community members
https://tinyurl.com/ok-uma
The origins of UMAmi
Meg here, one of the librarians in the Special Collections and Research Department of the Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County. Within a few months of starting my current role, I was offered a collection which at the time was called A History of Punk. It included a facebook group reminiscing about a particular time, place, and genre, and a webpage that used that one font that screams indie serial killer movie.
I immediately redubbed it The Punk Project because it was not really a history of the genre, more a snapshot of local music and community, and began working on inventorying what the collection already included as well as talking with other folks about what it could be. Within a few months, we had an informal committee of about a dozen library staff from across our system (also known as the Roadies). Together, we talked about broadening the scope of the Punk Project to include the other subgenres of the local music scene as well as including more recent and current creators.
So, after collective brainstorming and hashing out of ideas, the Punk Project became the Oklahoma Underground Music Archive, or OK UMA.
One of our many brainstorming sessions included the idea of starting a zine with local music calendars and space for local musicians to find each other. I jokingly suggested the name UMAmi, referencing the word for a particular type of salty, earthy flavor, and to my surprise other people liked it too. I threw together a small teaser of a first issue to get the ball rolling. And since then the whole thing has snowballed fabulously. I continue to work with others to grow the OK UMA and UMAmi from a time capsule to an ever-evolving mixtape, featuring local creatives. More on that in the next few pages.
39th St Records
Bad Granny's
Beer City Music Hall
Blue Note
Bookish
Bunker Club
Burger Punk (Paseo + Britton)
Classen Coffee
Core 4 Brewing
Core Board Shop
Craig's Emporium
Dig It
Diversity Family Health (OKC)
DNA
Edmond Music
Elemental Coffee Empire (Plaza)
Factory Obscura
Flora Bodega
Floating Bookshop
Full Circle Bookstore
Gold Fang Gallery
Grand Royale
Guestroom Records
Iron Rose Salon
KOSU
Literati Press
logistics
Money
Make
Mycellium
These are the venues we most often work with in distributing UMAmi. We started with a handful of places where we dropped in or called asking if they’d be willing to host copies, but we also have quite a gaggle of places now that saw our zine around town and actually asked if they could be added to our distribution list.
Originally the UMA Roadies and friends hand-delivered copies each month, but the zine outgrew that method within its first year so as of last fall, we started mailing zines instead.
Stats
the
first issue
the most recent issue
tencopiesperlibrarybranch,totalingupto around200copiestotal 1050copiesprinted(withevenhigherdemand) &distributedacrossthelibrarysystemaswell astocoffeeshops,youthshelters,music venues,bookstores,andothercommunity hotspotsaroundtown
the facebook group is steadily growing, with over 1.9k users who frequently post and chat about the local music scene and all involved in it.
the UMA collection includes over a thousand images, recordings, flyers, distressed sweaters, used containers of hair dye, show posters, zines, and other ephemera, and continues to grow through physical and digital donations. programming we’ve had the opportunity to table at the Oklahoma City Zine Fest and host two Metro Zine Fests, as well as adding zine makerspaces to multiple library events, the 2024 Rock and Roll Camp For Girls of OKC. and the 2025 Momentum event by the OK Visual Arts Coalition.
In 2023 we had an all-ages crustpunk show at the Downtown Library called LIBRARY LIVE, and since Nov 2024 we’ve hosted the quarterly concert series Library Out Loud (LOL) featuring a different subgenre each time.
Working on this zine has been one of the coolest experiences of my career. Our city is teeming with talented musicians, artists, punk enthusiasts, and local activists who have eagerly embraced this project. The enthusiasm from both contributors and the community is infectious. Everywhere I go, people are talking about or asking about the zine. Around six months in, I even met a security guard at a local venue who had been collecting each issue. It's just been magical to see the anticipation and support for UMAmi.
I'm deeply grateful for the love and support from vendors, roadies, librarians, and readers. After working in the local music scene for 7 or 8 years, I knew there was a demand for more local music coverage, dialogue, and, even more so - a music calendar. It's surprising but also fitting that this came from the local public library system. We had the resources, enthusiasm, and time to keep it going for over a year, and the community has loved it. I hope it continues for a long time.
On a personal note, writing about music is a passion of mine, and I've done some of my favorite work for this zine. Over the past year, I've created themed local playlists and reviewed music from artists like Keathley, Kat Lock, and LABRYS. The library's mission has always been to bring information to people, and UMAmi does just that. It reminds people that the library exists, encourages them to visit, grab a copy, and maybe even check out a book. We've covered everything from a librarian’s guide to The Clash to reviews of the early 2000s emo explosion, goth and punk history, skateboarding books, and more.
The library's mission, furthermore, is to “connect our diverse communities with resources and experiences to educate and enrich lives.” We achieve this by street-teaming at nearly 60 locations throughout the city each month, reaching people where they gather pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons—and reminding them that local musicians, queer and punk subcultures exist, and you can connect with them through your local library. For those in these subcultures, it's a way of saying the library is a space that archives, celebrates, and educates about all kinds of cultures. We host business meetings and punk concerts on the same floor of our Downtown library, showing that the library is a space for everyone to come and learn.
Itendtofeeloutofplacealot-introverted,impostorsyndrome,outofage range,orotherwiseunfitting-andI'mnotexactlycertainwhatI'mpreparingis whatisexpected,but:
Approximatelyayearago,therewererumblingsintheMetropolitanLibrarySystem thatourSpecialCollectionsdepartment'sspecialproject,theOklahoma UndergroundMusicArchive,wasgoingtoputfortha'zine.Asalongtimefanof punkandalternativemusicanddiy'zineculture,Iwaseversoexcitedtosee UMAmibeborn,andthentocomeonboard.
Asreachandcirculationhaveincreased,the'zinehasgonefrombeingdistributed atlibrarybranchestoanentirespreadsheetofalt-lifestylelocationsincluding coffeeshops,independentbookstores,restaurants,skateshops,andvintage clothingsellers.Duetothisvolume,werecentlystartedmailingissuesratherthan makingmonthlydrops-butIalwaysenjoyedmyregularvisitswiththecommunity membersonmyroute,whenI'dhearaboutwhattheyenjoyedaboutthelastissue anddiscussifweneededtochangethenumberof'zinesrecieved.
TheOklahomaUndergroundMusicArchiveandUMAmihavecausedthe communitytoattendatriple-billhardcorepunkshowatthedowntownlibrary, whereIwitnessedadiversecrowdlinkingarmsandstrong-armingtokeepmore delicateindividualsfromthemoshpit.Aftertheshow,Icontactedoneoftheband membersandthroughthecourseofconversation(I'dwantedanInfernat-shirt!) discoveredthatheknewandfondlyrememberedmylateson.Thatwasan incredibleconnection.
DuetoUMAmi'sfocusonliveshows,Iwasabletoattendsomeperformancesand venuesImightnothaveknownaboutorotherwisepassedup.Inparticular,I attendedashowspecificallytoreviewitforthe'zine,knowingnothingaboutthe bandbeforehand-andendedupbecomingatremendousfan.(Iamstilltryingto geteveryoneelseexcitedaboutSkatingPolly!)
InthefeedbackI'vehad,the'zinehashelpedpeoplebeawareofwhatmusicand eventsaregoingoninthecommunity,andthearthasinspiredsometattooideas andhasjustmadepeoplehappy.
IpersonallyappreciatebeingapartofUMAmiasapassionprojectwhichhasbeen fullofenergyandcollaboration.I'velearnedtousesometoolsIwouldn'tnormally havepickedupinmyworkorhomelife,andI'vecomeoutofmyisolationabit, livedlifealittlelargerthanIotherwisemighthave.Ireallyloveresearching(and sometimesevenwriting-haha,writersmayknowhowthatfeels)essaysand reviewsforthe'zine,andbeingpartofateam.ItendtocarrycopiesofUMAmi aroundwithmeandhavediscoveredthatitisn'tlimitedtotheOklahomaCity community-peopleinTulsaappreciateit"soweknowwhat'sgoingonwhenwe cometoOKC."
Hithere, SawthezineinElementalandlovedit. Wantedtosharemymusicwithyou.
Comiccreatorlookingforabandtocomposea themeformyoriginalsuperherocomicnowon crowdfunding.
I saw your zine at the quintron & pussycat show inside Resonant Head. I designed the poster for this show and loved the process so much that i wanted to reach out.
Greetings OKUMAns,
I hope you will consider the following, silly piece of artwork for the second issue of UMAmi. It is a poster for a fictional, upcoming music festival, full of fictional, librarythemed hardcore and metal bands. Some of the jokes are pretty inside baseball, so I hope that's something you're into.
Hello, I'm interested in your music zine I am a bit of an artist, and I live to write and give opinions I love music and I would love to maybe submit something Honestly I just got it and I have to look into it more But I'm gonna read thru it
LastweekendIcameupfromDFWandvisitedOKCtojamwithanewgrindband andIcameacrossyourzineatRedCup.Iwassopleasantlysurprisedtobegreeted bythefamilarfacesofInfernaandIntersect.Ireallylovedthewholerestofthe zineasIreadthroughittoo.Verycoollayout,venuelist,andcalendar.Didn'tknow aboutallthecoolstuffinyourareabutthanksfortherecsfornexttime.
Justwantedtosendy'allahighfiveandsaykeepdoingwhatyou'redoing. ��
I’m Santiago Ramones. I’m doing a fundraiser show on August 9th at 7pm at 1700 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. It’s outside at the Plaza District! Sun Deep will perform and I will perform. It’s for me to raise money for my citizenship application. Anything raised beyond the goal will go to The Spero Project. I hope you can fit it into the calendar for the August UMAmi!
Thank you!
Hey there dream team - wanted to submit a lil classified ad for the next zine if that's cool I run an experimental music night called Weirder Wednesday, and I'm always looking for new local voices to feature
Weallknowatleastthebasicofarecordplayer,itspinsthere’saneedleand playsmusic.AndonSpotifyyoucanhaveaqueue.Whatifyourrecordplayer waslikethat.WhatImeanistherewouldbealittlecompartmentthatholds yourrecords.Sowhenyou’redonelisteningyoucanjusthitabuttonandthe secondrecordcomesoutofitslittledrawer.Thenthethirdandon.Justmakes thingseasierbutitdoestakethejoyoutoflookingatthealbumcovers.The ideaisthatit’salbumsthatyoucanlistentooverandoveragainsoyouwould probablyknowthecoversbyheart.
Hello!
MynameisLydia.Irunalocalbookclub(@translatedokc).Meandseverallocal Bookishfriends(SecondStoryBooks,RedDirtPoetry)areorganizingaPalestinian PoetryNightinlateJuly,we'dlovetobefeaturedinyournextissue.
I found your zine at diversity family health just now and I am very excited by it!
How can I get on the distro list for future copies? I’d love to keep them available to the young people who come to our drop in center and shelter. Many are avid readers and almost all are regular library goers.
yo!! i saw y ’all’ s zine and it’ s so sick. i wanted to send my info in in case you guys like it! i’ m playing my first ever show at Resonant Head on Jan 24th & have been promoting it as much as i can because we decided it should be free since it’ s our first one! so anyone can come!
thankyouforthezineuma.itmeanstheworldtome.itwasn’tuntilrecentlythatirealizedthat artiswhatiwantedtodowithmylife.Itransitionedtwoyearsagoandupuntilthatmomenti waslost.imeanicouldn’tevenvisualizeafutureformyself.
Thefutureandtimearetwoscarybitches.theystopfornooneandtheirnextmovesarealways hidden.
It’scurrently4:21amasiwritethis.I’mreflectingonmylifeandrealizingthatlivingformyself isthehardestthingi’veeverdone.Irecentlybrokeupwithmypartnerof5years.itwasmy decision.butitdoesn’tmakeiteasier.I’mawayfrommyfamilyinacityi’munfamiliarwith.I havemythreedogsbuttheycan’tspeakbackandthat’sthehardestpart.beingaloneishard butlearningtolivewithitisapartofthehumanexperience.beinghumanisexperiencingtheebb andflowofemotions.youridethemandappreciatethemastheycometoyou.lifeisfullof dichotomiesandyoucan’tappreciatehappinesswithoutexperiencingsadness.Mydarkperiodwill beoverandthenthelightwillcome.
I’msorryforventing.ihopeyou’rewell
Hello! I enjoy your work in UMAmi so much!
(Photo by Rick Clement, featuring 2/3 of local band The Ugly Cowboys)
An original poem by Rori L -
Star crossed lovers A gentle breeze whirls through the air,
One I'd like to rip and tear
Floating there like a ball, Floating there not for all, Just for you and me you see? Oh how simple it all could be, forgetting this and that, walking on a fresh track. Staring at the stars with awe as they do What none had done break this tension here for all! because its not Just you and me, Its us all cant you see? you me and them up there floating in the air for eternity
Why not make it special…. with me?
IjustgraduatedfromOUwithamaster’sdegreeinmusicology.IsawyourmagazineUMAmi andtookhomeacopywithme.Ithinkit’swonderfulstuff!Alotofwhatmyjobentailsis writinginresearchjournalsaboutmusic-relatedtopics.Ilovetowrite,andIamalways lookingforopportunitiestoenhancemycreativewritingskills.Iwouldabsolutelyloveto writesomearticlesforthemagazineifyou’llhaveme.
A friend of mine recently turned me onto a print copy of UMAmi, and I’d like to say how delighted I am to learn it has the backing of the OKC Metro Library. What a cool project! It strikes a particular chord (lol) with me because, as described in the About section of your Facebook group, I’ve ticked all those boxes at one time or another.
I’m writing because I believe our efforts share many of the same goals (e.g. supporting the scene, focusing on local, maintaining the DIY spirit, etc.), so I thought I'd reach out to discuss a potential collaboration.
Hello! I’m a little late picking up the UMAmi issue and was interested in getting a link to add to the collaborative playlist! I actually have a recording project with my friend that’s local to OKC and we have a song about queer sexual awakenings that’d be perfect for June’s prompt! ��
Hello Friends,
I recently picked up your October Zine release from Jarvicks at my last performance. I read the whole thing and have to admit it's quite a wonderful insight into the OKC scene. It was refreshing seeing all the venues in town and new releases from familiar artists. I saw you were also looking for submissions on a multitude of things so if you don't mind, ill be sending over some fun stuff I've been into lately.... Thank you guys for taking the time to check this out! I truly appreciate what you're doing for the city and I hope to be able to collaborate with you all!
This is Kurt from The Red Cup. We proudly do not advertise. But, if we did, your zine is exactly what we would be looking for.
I found this zine at Red Cup last weekend, and just finished reading it. Very fun and cool. Very analogue.
Thought it would be fun to reach out and brainstorm.
I am essentially Auntie Anarchy- raised in Chicago on Riot Grrrl, the local punk scene... etc. THis was the mid 90s- very early 00's.
I have been playing around with how to do good ol fashioned analogue project to engage people and create joy. I used to love sending a SASE to some PO Box I found in a zine and waiting to receive a cool sticker or patch in the mail. I also loved making stickers and stencils from pdfs that people had on their websites. Is this at all familiar to you?
My inertia for this has halted- as i don't know if people would even be comfortable mailing a SASE to a po box anymore... I dont know how to deploy my stickers project.
So...maybe theres a collaboration potential here?
Thoughts?
....
Honestly, since I sent my email to you guys, I have had a couple of brain storms.
1) I thought maybe it would be fun to use a library post office box/ address of the library this project is based out of.
2) We could even have a diy day event where they have to come to the library and use the computers/ printers to print the stickers/mini poster/stencils out themselves at the library on sticker paper or whatever.
I suppose for me, the most important thing would be exposing a new generation to the agency. They have two create items without having to pay for them, and interacting with their environment directly.
Good Evening!
My name is ATCHLEY and I am a local emo/shoegaze artist from OKC I just released an album called VIOLENCE AND PERFUME and I'm currently on my campaign to get it out there and share it with the local scene I was put on ya'll by Jarvix and I love what yall do!
Hey,thanksforputtingyourtimeintomakingtheUMAmizine!Iloveseeing eachnewissuewhenIcomeacrossthem.
I'dloveifyoucouldincludealistofcurrentbandsfromOklahoma, especiallyifthey'resmallandlocalandcurrentlydoingshows.Evenif that'sjustamassivelistoftinetextasabackgroundtoapage,Ithinkit wouldbecooltohavealisttoreference,especiallyiftherewassomegenre distinction,butmaybethatwouldendupbeingtoomuchwork.
I have a local band from my highschool that I think fits into this zine perfectly, Acolyte! They are mostly shoe-gaze, but can also have some really cool sounds too like posthardcore, nu metal/alternative metal, punk, heavy alternative rock, and even a little funk/groove rock and metal genres. Sadly I haven't had the chance to see one of their shows yet, but one of my friends has and he says it was aweeesoommee!!! You should check 'em out and maybe have a little shout out in next month's zine! ;D
Another thing I would like to make a mention of is the 2000's Adult Swim show Metalocalypse. Dethklok (The world's greatest death metal band :3) recently had a show here at the criterion which I went to and it was BRUTAL!! Not sure if you guys will mention Dethklok since they aren't fairly underground, but I would like to share it because it truly is a funny show about the world's greatest death metal band! Seriously though, go watch an episode!!(On HBO Max :D) Thanks 4 reading this, with brutality, Trindle >:3
hello!
I love y'all's zine! the diy approach, focus on the local scenes, and open invitation for guest contribution is so great.
Hey! My name is Dre but I go by IYAV. I came across one of your "Music-Zene's" while at the library today and it looks dope. I am a local artist that is looking to expand and collab with like minded artists. I'm sending this in hopes of making a new connection or to get help with getting my art out there.
So, there is a whole history of songs that explicitly tell a story being a vehicle for passing down history, resisting oppression, etc Think Woody Guthrie, C W McCall, folk songs like John Henry, and a bunch that I've heard but not learned the artists of
I adore this genre, but I have no idea how to find anything of this type that's been written in the last like 40 years I'd love suggestions for more current resistance music of this style, or even a piece about it in UMAmi!
Thanks,
Xoje J
Hello!MynameisVi,andIamahairstylistinNorman.I foundyourzineinapubandIloveditandIwantedto reachouttoseeifIcouldcarrysomezinesatmy salon/station.
(censored due to objections from mgmt)
the titles for both of them are "yessed",. by Jacq skrilla. My Instagram is dominion13_ currently I don't have many of my divine art up yet due to homelessness I will when can have a great day
HeyJackalope,hopealliswell!Iamonceagainsuperexcitedaboutanevent upcominginNovember,thistimeit'ssomethinghostedbyResonantHeadbut organizedbymyselfandthehelpofacoupleotherpeople.
I'mtalkingaboutthefanranmeetuppriortotheKingGizzardandtheLizard Wizardconcert.I'mnotsureifyou'veseenthepostonInstagramornotbutfans foracoupleyearsnowhaveorganizedmeetupsforfanstomeetandmingleprior totheconcert,butit'salsoaplacewhereartists/creativescanshowcaseandsell Gizzinspiredwork. ThisissomethingI'mreallylookingforwardtoandhaveatonofpassionfor...I wouldlovetoworkwithyouagaintobringsomeexcitementtoourfellowconcert goerswhomightbefansandunawareofthisorwhoarelookingforthatnew sparkinallthingsconcertsandfanbase! Cheers, WaveyMoshé
I’m a big fan of UMAmi, & always enjoy grabbing one at the end of my first monthly work week. Though I’m not entirely sure as to what happens to things submitted to y’all in the way of Favorite Albums, Show Reviews, Hot Takes, Scribbles, ✨Art✨, etc. (and I do have a lot of those), I would like to submit some of my own art to you’s. I released an album last month called Frankie. It’s loosely based around a stray cat that lived near my apartment for a while. He was a fickle guy. Homemade with love in OKC!
Hey there, just looked at your UMAmi zone for the first time and love it! Thought I'd share a couple pics of the Built To Spill show that was on Sep 20. It was my 5th time seeing them and hands down the best one yet! -Connor Currier we were invited from across the pond to be part of TQ75! (tqzine.blogspot.com)
Howdy!NewreaderofUMAmiherewithasuggestionforanalbumreview:ATimeFor EverythingbyDivineSweater. Anywayslovethezineandlovetheworky’alldo!
Hey there, We are a tattoo parlor here in OKC, and we'd love to get involved with your zine!
Sincerely, EzraGoodman
Hello,
MynameisMirandaMoore.I havelivedinEdmond/OKCfor 15years.Irecentlypickedupa copyofyourUMAmiZineat mylocallibrary!Iabsolutely lovedit! Ithinkit’ssoawesomethat UMAexist!Ican’twaitforthe nextissue!Iwantedtoshare someartI’vedoneincase you’dliketouseit!IfnotI wontbeoffended ��
“Hypersensitive” by Miranda Moore
fog i wish i could be fog, so i could settle in the top of some evergreen trees and listen to the owls sing. i would drift between the branches, soft and unnoticed, feeling the cool bark beneath me i'd float without a name, without a past. carried by the wind, weightless, untethered, i would belong to the spaces between -miranda moore
AMA, Roadies Edition
what’s been our favorite part of working on the zine this year?
I can’t believe it’s been a year already! Being part of UMAmi has been such a fun journey. The library isn’t just about quiet old buildings and shushing guests; it’s a lively place full of stories and information. UMAmi captures this vibe by covering local shows, artists, and the music and books in our library system. One of the coolest moments was the live punk show on the third floor last year I can’t wait to do it again. I’m so grateful for all the love and support UMAmi has received and can’t wait for another exciting year. Thanks to our vendors, passionate roadies, everyday librarians, and you, our readers, for keeping this zine going. Echoing our friends at the Portland Public Library, the DC Public Library, and more: “what’s more punk than the public library??”
-Zoe
Besides adding to playlists, reviewing, & socializing with the community, I loved researching the history of zines & Black History Month. But my fave was seeing Skating Polly @ Factory Obscura. I went from knowing nothing to DOOFY DORKY FAN!
PS Everything in memory of Bevin Drake Coker/Bedrokan. Love keeping him alive this way. ����
-Granny Anarchy
Getting to work with the other UMA Roadies and watch the zine grow from a “what if?” to a “ yes, and”-- thanks for reading, sharing, and talking with us!
-Jackalope
getting to mix my "real job" with the community i love and care for so deeply. it's been so cool to work more closely with the local music scene than i ever thought i would. i've been able to meet people and share cool stuff with everyone. we had a punk show at the downtown library which felt unreal. also getting to see a zine i help make out in the wild and at peoples houses is such a cool thing. i love what we do and where this is going sm. can't wait to keep doing this<33
