Perth Voice Interactive

“WE’VE always had a love of dangerous, interesting, revelatory writing,”  publisher Nathan Hondros said at the launch of Northbridge-based Regime Magazine’s 02 edition earlier this year.

He and business partner and long-time friend Damon Lockwood produced their first magazine in mid-2012, saying there was no avenue for “more interesting pieces” in the local scene.

“So we said ‘screw it, we’ll do it ourselves’.”

The pair didn’t set out to replace WA writers’ journal Indigo, which folded after losing funding, but its loss left a gaping hole for local poetry and literature.

“It was all happening around the same time, [and] we suddenly found ourselves in a niche,” Hondros told the Voice.

WA writers can hold their own on the international stage, with a “distinctively” West Aussie voice says Hondros, a poet and writer.

“Our philosophy is West Australian writing is as good as anything in the world.”

The magazine showcases a collection of local writers and poets short stories, including some by Ryan O’Neill, whose The Weight of a Human Heart garnered rave reviews at home and in the UK.

But Regime is expanding into what Hondros calls “single author” editions.

First is Perth poet Chris Palazzola’s Unhoused, drawn from more than 20 years of writing.

“The theme is very West Australian…about our city, places we know,” Hondros says.

Palazzola’s poetry describes urban living through the prism of Perth, with references to areas such as Grand Promenade and Woodrow Avenue and the flats on Peninsular Road, Maylands.

It’s a warts and all view that at the same time says, “this is my city and I love it”, Hondros says.

Unhoused will be launched at PICA, Northbridge, Tuesday June 25, 6.30pm, no need to book.

There’ll be wine and nibbles, and a special reading by the poet to music commissioned by WA classical composer Chris Boyder.

Hondros jokes that at first glance it may not look appealing to the young and hip, but he says the poetry scene in Perth is thriving.

by JENNY D’ANGER