If you read any metal magazines in the US, you may have heard of Ryan Bartek. A prolific journalist since the early 2000s, Bartek has been published in Metal Maniacs, AMP Magazine, Hails & Horns, PIT Magazine, and two ton of webzines and newspapers. I met Ryan in Denver, Colorado while he was compiling his book on the ultimate guide to underground cultures in the US, The Big Shiny Prison. On the road for a year, Bartek greyhounded, hitched, and crawled over America to cover all forms of extreme metal, punk, industrial, experimental, rock, and pyschedelia around. The 315-page road-book is packed with insight into the underbelly of American culture and even features a chance meeting with President Barack Obama.
In June 2011, Bartek heads to Europe to interview bands, artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians for a follow up to The Big Shiny Prison. Arriving in London, Bartek and his tape recorder will spend a week each in the UK, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin before purchasing a month-long Euro-Rail Ticket to visit every other major European city possible. If you have any one you think Ryan should meet, or suggestions for his travels, please contact him at anomiepr {at} yahoo.com.
The Big Shiny Prison is available for free download and is as epic as his traveling feat itself.