Talking Whatever: Interview With Dan Wu of Oriental Whatever 'Zine

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Talking Whatever: Interview With Dan Wu of Oriental Whatever 'Zine

by Yuan-Kwan Chan

Dan Wu publishes a 'zine out of San Francisco called Oriental Whatever. In this interview, Dan talks about the frustrations of 'zine distribution, his opinion of GR and working.

Dan: Y'know, I'd actually picked up a copy of a really old issue of Meniscus at Eastwind in SF. But I figured the zine wasn't around anymore or at least you weren't distributing it anymore.

YK: Wow, Eastwind - blast from the past. But yeah, channel of distribution is definitely something that has frustrated me in the past and present, being a poor starving student and all. Maybe you have some pointers in this area. How long have you been doing your 'zine? Why did you start it?

I started doing zines back in high school because the high school lit. Magazine sucked. OW was born in 1995 but lasted only two issues (handed 'em out to friends, etc). The zine was reborn in 1998 in San Francisco and has really taken off. From a press run of maybe 100 copies it's now gone on to 1500. I sell 'em all over the Bay Area and beyond. Speaking of which...interstate commerce for us zinemeisters is always tough. So far, besides SF Bay Area, I'm only in NYC, Boston and Portland. I plan to get into more cities through distributors so I don't have to deal with individual stores. It's a tough racket. Most mainstream distros won't touch zines. My next issue is gonna look more like a magazine than zine. A way to get it into the hands of the mainstream public without sacrificing the integrity of the content. I will not go the route of Giant Robot.

I loved GR when it first came out, but admittedly I don't read it anymore. Particularly after it became full-color and glossy.

Don't get me started on Giant Robot. Cotton candy for the mind: all sugar, no substance. Caters to white guys with yellow fever and a love of toys and junk. I think the magazine has a place, just a shame there aren't more alternatives to balance it out.

[Someone] told me that you were planning on a GR "horror story" article for your next issue.

I'm getting over my raggin' on GR phase. The other day at the APE (Alternative Press Expo), I met an ex-GR contributor who was SO Southern California. (Sayin' how everything was played out and how I was re-treading GR territory...etc) Whatever.

How was APE? Do you attend many 'zine conventions?

APE 2000 was pretty cool. I never sell much at those things. For me it's a chance to trade with other zinesters and comic book folk. I went home with a bag fulla goodies.

That is really interesting that you started your 'zine because of your HS lit. mag. I started Meniscus because I didn't want to join my HS newspaper. I know what you mean about distro...which distributor(s) do you work with?

I don't currently have any distros in the traditional sense. I go to all the Bay Area stores myself and Tower distros me in their own stores. With the new issue I'm looking to solicit Last Gasp, Desert Moon, AK Press 7 some other distros. Wish me luck.

What do you think about some of those Asian Am magazines out there like A. and YOLK?

I think A. and Yolk also have their place but are very mainstream and assimilationist. They cover mostly non-controversial topics and cater to mostly yuppies. Once again, perfectly fine if there were more alternatives. I'm waiting for zines like mine and Bamboo Girl, Yello Kitty and Option 8 to get big and sit alongside those other three. Give the people a choice.

What were your initial goals when you started your 'zine?

'm not sure what my goals were in the beginning, maybe just to write some funny goofy stuff and give it to my friends...how a lot of zines start? What about you? My goal now for OW is world domination!

Well, I think like I mentioned before, I didn't want to join my HS newspaper, and I always wanted to write about certain things that mainstream media would never cover (at the time). Plus, I liked the freedom of being able to write whatever and whenever I wanted to, and not having to meet a deadline or follow certain rules. It's funny because I'm getting my master's in journalism right now, and while I think I've learned a little bit more about research methods, how to find sources and making a good story great, I'm still against those rules. Like that inverted pyramid. It's kind of ludicrous.

I'm curious as to how you feel working a DAY JOB (something that has little to with your skills or interests…say retail or restaurant work) versus working (or getting) a REAL JOB (one that uses your skills and works you harder). I've been struggling with that whole issue. Day jobs generally are lame but do allow you to have time/energy to do your own stuff, like zines. Real jobs probably have more satisfaction (and more pay) but will tend to drain you and prevent you from working independently. What do you think?

Well, I have spent most of my summers working full-time, and I have to say that I definitely agree. And the down time I do have, I'm usually too exhausted to pursue any of that. How long have you been out of school?

I've been out of school almost three years now. No edumacation for me. The job market's too good for me to be spending money on tuition. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything. Who know, I may go back to school...someday.

Anyone who knows Dan Wu's e-mail address, please let us know so we can inform the world how to snag a copy of Oriental Whatever!

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