SECRET THIRTEEN

Secret Thirteen Journal Profile: Secret Thirtheen is the interdisciplinary internet journal, presenting exclusive mixes and interviews by influential and original artists, musicians, label owners, record collectors as well as overviews of contemporary art works and various imprints. The journal specializes in Experimental, Drone, Ambient, Abstract, Techno, Contemporary music genres, but lately Secret Thirteen also have many guests from Goth Rock, Post-Punk, Minimal Wave, Industrial, IDM, World, Jazz scenes. Number 13 symbolizes the death of the matter or of oneself and the birth of the spirit – it is the passage to a higher level of existence. In day-to-day life it is not easy to distance yourself from corporeality. Even more challenging is to find the way to fulfill the emotional needs and express inner feelings. Aldous Huxley once said: “After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music”. By analyzing the depths of sounds ranging from academic composition to expressive electronic dance music, by suggesting deeper and more emotional understanding of art and presenting both famous and no-name artists, Secret Thirteen offers to accompany you in your journey in search of passage of a higher level of existence. Understanding the development as the main vital force, Secret Thirteen always leaves space for unpredictability. History: The birth of the journal was determined by its founders constant intellectual development, increasing amount of knowledge, the aim to be a significant participant in Lithuanian and foreign cultural worlds, personal ambitions and the lack of concentration of specific and relevant information. The disappointingly small amount of systemized and unique information in the internet was also a major factor for the foundation and developing of the journal. However, the main reasons of the journal birth were the love for art in general, the aim of helping the often overlooked talented artists to find their audience, the understanding of the importance of art. The educational aspect is also of prime importance as there are many links to various external sources and key information in the constructive texts. Thus, the reader can find more relevant information himself. In order to achieve these goals Secret Thirteen journal also constantly collaborates with various festivals and promoters. It has already partnered with such contemporary music events as Unsound (Poland), Skaņu Mežs (Latvia) and Sūpynės (Lithuania). Founding: The founder of Secret Thirteen is Justinas Mikulskis, music producer and critic, who actively observes and analyzes the cultural world as well as participates in it. Having started as a musicmaker under S13 alias, he suddenly turned to journalism and founded the journal. However, Mikulskis is still active as a musician and DJ and his eclectic sets can be heard in various Lithuanian festivals and cultural events. Apart from Justinas Mikulskis, there are other contributors including music journalist and linguist Paulius Ilevičius, who also writes in Suru.lt blog, Radvilė Nakaitė, professional cultural manager, producer, event organizer, journalist and art critic. In July of 2013 Experimental, Drone artist Lukas Petraitis (aka Luke Marvel) complemented the team. Shortly after, the journal was joined by professional photographer Laima Stasiulionytė and moderator Evelina Atkočiūnaitė. In January of 2014 the journal was joined by programmer Laurynas Bakas. Shortly after Armando Veles complemented the team in album reviewing, while graphic designer Miguel Estupiñán started to help improving journal's visual image. The major role in the founding of the journal was also played by Margarita Niedvaraitė, a lawyer with the huge interest in art, who encouraged Mikulskis to target international audiences, overcome the language and cul