Subterranean Homesick Hounds is a music blog founded by Tauno Mathlin, which over the years has grown into a vibrant community of passionate music enthusiasts. To celebrate the blog’s 15-year journey, we launched a special print edition—a four-part music zine enclosed in a Kraft paper album sleeve. Each section of the magazine explores a different theme: “New Releases,” “Bargain Bin,” “Lost Classics,” and “Unreleased”—offering a diverse and in-depth perspective on the given topics. The writing team, composed of dedicated contributors, brings unique voices and deep knowledge to the publication, ensuring that every article resonates with the spirit of music journalism at its most authentic.

The cover design was an essential element of the project, embracing the DIY ethos of zine culture while elevating it into a collectible art piece. The Kraft cardboard sleeves were first detailed with Molotow markers and spray paints, then screen printed to create a layered, textured effect. The modular cover system allows for eight different visual combinations, depending on which of the four magazine sections is placed on top. To add an extra layer of exclusivity, a limited number of covers were individually enhanced with spray-painted finishes, ensuring that no two issues are exactly alike.

Inspired by underground publishing, the zine blends bold, handcrafted typography with mixed print techniques, mirroring the raw energy of the music. A striking silver metallic accent highlights the magazine’s heavy metal aesthetic. Each spread has a unique look while maintaining cohesion through consistent typography and carefully chosen highlight colors. The result is a luxury DIY punk zine, paying tribute to the creativity and passion behind independent music and print culture.

This project was made possible with support from Freelancegraafikot ry and Grafia ry and was printed at Kalasataman Seripaja.