Also Cool Magazine
Also Cool Magazine is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit indie publication founded in 2019 covering music, culture, and arts in Montreal and Ottawa through a website, podcast, community radio shows, and free live events, serving indie music fans and emerging artists via Patreon subscriptions and merchandise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersMontreal, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Also Cool Magazine does
Also Cool Magazine is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit independent publication founded in 2019 and headquartered in Montreal with a parallel operational presence in Ottawa, Canada. It covers indie music, culture, visual arts, fashion, writing, and theatre through a digital magazine (alsocoolmag.com), a podcast (Also Cool Sounds Like), two community radio shows (on N10.AS and Frozen Section Radio), and recurring in-person programming such as Drink & Draw nights and beading workshops at Système. The publication serves indie music fans, emerging and underrepresented artists, and the broader Quebec–Ontario creative community, with a particular emphasis on QTBIPOC and DIY scenes.
The publication's content distribution relies on a Squarespace-hosted website, social channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X), Spotify and SoundCloud podcast distribution, email newsletter, and a Patreon membership program with three subscription tiers ($3, $10, and $25 per month) that unlock exclusives such as snail mail letters, personalized playlists, early event registration, and special merchandise. Additional revenue comes from one-off merchandise sales (t-shirts, totes, stickers) and collaborative product drops (e.g., the Also Cool x Garden Party collab). All revenue is reinvested into contributor support and operating costs; there is no institutional funding, no parent company, and no paid staff, with the six-person team operating on a volunteer basis alongside day jobs.
Strategically, Also Cool Magazine has built a deeply reciprocal local ecosystem rather than pursuing scale, with co-presentation and media-sponsor partnerships across festivals (M For Montreal, POP Montreal, PIQUE, Osheaga, FME, Side By Side Weekend, KickDrum), venues (Système, Casa del Popolo, SAW Gallery, Club SAW), and cultural organizations (Fierté Montréal, Mothland, Congrego). Its credibility is reflected in four consecutive years on Cult MTL's Top Magazines list (placing 2nd in 2023) and 2023 recognition from Apple Podcasts, Canadaland, Pod the North, and Edit Audio for its podcast. The operating model prioritizes cultural legitimacy, editorial trust, and community embeddedness over revenue growth, and there are no disclosed ambitions toward institutional scaling, monetization expansion, or geographic expansion beyond Montreal and Ottawa.
Also Cool Magazine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Also Cool Magazine
- Legal name
- Also Cool Magazine
- Website
- https://alsocoolmag.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Also Cool Magazine is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit indie publication founded in 2019 covering music, culture, and arts in Montreal and Ottawa through a website, podcast, community radio shows, and free live events, serving indie music fans and emerging artists via Patreon subscriptions and merchandise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Also Cool Magazine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Music & Culture Digital Media
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (513120)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines (MPAJAEAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Entertainment & Celebrity Magazines (MPAJAEAK)
Keywords
Where Also Cool Magazine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Also Cool Magazine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Patreon Membership: Patreon subscription model offering tiers from $3 to $25 per month, providing exclusives such as digital content, snail mail letters, personalized playlists, early event registration, and special edition merchandise.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, totes, stickers, and collaborative items (e.g., Also Cool x Garden Party t-shirt collab).
- Shop: Publication operates an online shop for merchandise and goods.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Entry-level Patreon support |
| Subscription | Monthly | Mid-tier Patreon support |
| Subscription | Monthly | Top-tier Patreon support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Also Cool Magazine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Also Cool Magazine is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit digital publication covering music, culture, arts, fashion, and theatre in Montreal and Ottawa. It sells editorial content via a Squarespace website, a podcast ("Also Cool Sounds Like"), and bi-weekly radio shows on N10.AS and Frozen Section Radio, alongside free community events. Supporting the editorial work are a Patreon membership program ($3-$25/month tiers) and a merchandise shop selling branded apparel and goods.
Product overview
Also Cool Magazine operates as a volunteer-run digital publication platform covering music and culture across Montreal and Ottawa. The core offering is the main Also Cool Mag publication, supplemented by multiple content channels including the Also Cool Sounds Like podcast, radio shows on N10.AS and Frozen Section Radio, and community events such as Drink & Draw and Beading Night. The publication also offers a Patreon membership program for supporter engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Also Cool Sounds Like: The publication's podcast featuring interviews with musicians and creative discussions, currently in its third season with recognition from Apple Podcasts, Canadaland, Pod the North, and Edit Audio.
Products and services
- Also Cool Mag (Main Digital Publication) Primary digital publication covering music, writing, and visual arts in Montreal and Ottawa. Features articles, reviews, interviews, festival coverage, and editorial content across multiple sections; targeted at readers interested in independent and emerging creative scenes.
- Also Cool Sounds Like (Podcast) Podcast series featuring interviews with musicians and artists examining the creative process. Distributed on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts; season three featured interviews with Gloin, Frankie Rose, NO WAVES, Magi Merlin, PACKS, OMBIIGIZI, Sasha Cay, and Mags.
- Also Cool Radio Show on N10.AS Bi-weekly radio show broadcast on N10.AS, a volunteer-powered non-profit internet radio station in Montreal. Features artist interviews, music coverage, and editorial content curated by the publication's team.
- Drink & Draw (Free Monthly Event) Free monthly community art event held at Système in Montreal. Combines social drawing sessions with DJ music in collaboration with Mags, offering free art supplies and a community gathering space.
- Beading Night at Système (Free Workshop Residency) Free beadwork workshop residency led by Minou at Système venue in Montreal, providing accessible creative spaces and community engagement programming for attendees.
- Also Cool Patreon Membership Subscription membership program offering supporter exclusives including snail mail letters, personalized playlists, digital content, early registration to workshops and events, and special edition merchandise, with three monthly tiers priced at $3, $10, and $25.
- Also Cool Merchandise Shop
Quantifiable outcome
- Recognized by Cult MTL as one of Montreal's top magazines for 4 consecutive years, placing 2nd in 2023
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Also Cool Magazine
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Also Cool Magazine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Also Cool Magazine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Le Système (Système)coreLe Système is Montreal's premier restaurant-dancefloor venue and home to N10.AS radio station. Also Cool holds community events (Drink & Draw, beading workshops) and hosts radio shows at this venue.
- Pizza BouquetminorPizza Bouquet donated prizes for N10.AS's fundraising raffle, alongside other local vendors including Arbutus Records, Editorial Magazine, Metatron Press, LOPEZ, and Le Système.
- Arbutus RecordsminorArbutus Records donated prizes for N10.AS's fundraising raffle, alongside other local vendors.
- DebasercoreAlso Cool partnered with Debaser for events including Palingenesis at All Saints Church in Ottawa, linking up with the organizers of PIQUE festival and other community initiatives.
- M For MontrealcoreAlso Cool has partnered with M For Montreal as an official media sponsor for the festival, covering artists and potentially featuring interviews on N10.AS and the podcast.
- Side By Side WeekendcoreAlso Cool co-presented events with Side By Side Weekend in Ottawa, collaborating on festival programming at LIVE! On Elgin and supporting the event's growth over five years.
- KickDrumcoreAlso Cool co-presented events with KickDrum, one of its favourite partners in Ottawa for music programming and community events.
- CongregominorAlso Cool partnered with Congrego to co-present Palingenesis at All Saints Church in Ottawa, ringing in the New Year with live acts and installations. Also collaborated on Coriolis: 5 Years of Fun.
- Garden Party (Local Clothing Brand)minorAlso Cool collaborated with Garden Party, a local Montreal clothing brand, on a limited-run t-shirt collab featuring designs by Beamskii (DJ behind the bunny-themed brand).
- MagscoreAlso Cool teamed up with long-time supporter Mags to host free monthly Drink & Draw nights at Système. Mags is described as a long-time Also Cool champion who co-hosts the events with DJs Robocat and Flleur.
- MinouminorMinou joined the Also Cool core team in 2023 and leads a continuing residency at Montreal's Système, offering free beading workshops as part of the publication's community programming.
- Fierté MontréalminorAlso Cool hosted panels in collaboration with Fierté Montréal Pride organization.
- Frozen Section Radio (FSR)minorAlso Cool launched a second radio show on Frozen Section Radio (FSR), airing every second Thursday of the month at 7PM EST.
- MothlandcoreAlso Cool works closely with Mothland, a Montreal-based music promotion and label. The two co-presented Frankie Rose and Chiara Savasta at Casa del Popolo. Mothland consistently supports Also Cool's events and coverage.
- Hip Hop You Don't StopminorAlso Cool hosted panels with Hip Hop You Don't Stop, a Montreal-based hip hop collective and programming initiative.
- Shift RadiominorAlso Cool participated in a live stream with Shift Radio (@shiftradio.live).
- SAW Gallery (Ottawa)minorAlso Cool hosted an exclusive screening at SAW Gallery in Ottawa as part of community programming.
- N10.AScoreAlso Cool hosts a bi-weekly radio show on N10.AS internet radio station, broadcasting every second Sunday of the month at 5PM EST. N10.AS is a volunteer-powered non-profit internet radio station located at Le Système in Montreal, broadcasting online worldwide 24/7 with 130+ shows.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Also Cool Magazine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Paste Magazine: Paste is an independent American music and culture magazine with a strong indie music coverage focus. It covers many of the same emerging artists and festival scenes that Also Cool features, operating as a larger-scale digital-first independent publication.
- BeatRoute Magazine: BeatRoute is a Canadian music and arts publication covering indie music scenes across multiple cities, including Montreal and Ottawa. It operates at a larger scale than Also Cool but covers overlapping artists, festivals, and indie music coverage verticals.
- Exclaim!: Exclaim! is a long-established Canadian music and culture publication with national reach covering indie, alternative, and emerging artists. It serves as a broader incumbent in the same music journalism space as Also Cool's podcast and reviews coverage, with a significantly larger editorial footprint.
Direct peers
- Maisonneuve Magazine: Maisonneuve is a Montreal-based independent magazine covering arts, culture, and ideas. It serves the same indie cultural readership as Also Cool and overlaps in coverage of music, theatre, visual arts, and literary criticism in the Montreal scene.
- Cult MTL: Cult MTL is a Montreal-based independent magazine and online publication covering arts, culture, music, and events. It directly competes with Also Cool as the city's primary indie culture magazine and is also the awarding body of the Top Magazines list on which Also Cool has placed four consecutive years.
- Editorial Magazine: Editorial Magazine is an independent Montreal-based print and digital publication covering arts, culture, and music. It overlaps with Also Cool in covering the Montreal creative scene and is referenced in N10.AS fundraising efforts as a peer local media outlet.
- The Main / Main Street Montreal: The Main is a Montreal-based independent alt-weekly covering local music, arts, and culture. It competes with Also Cool for the same indie Montreal-Ottawa readership and festival coverage verticals.
Regional players
- Voir (Montreal): Voir is a long-running Quebec-based French-language alt-weekly covering arts, culture, and events in Montreal. It overlaps with Also Cool's coverage verticals but operates primarily in French and serves a broader regional readership.
- District Montréal: District Montréal is a French-language Montreal online publication covering nightlife, events, and local culture. It overlaps with Also Cool in coverage of Montreal music and arts events but serves a primarily francophone audience.
Emerging players
- Mothland: Mothland is a Montreal-based music promotion company, label, and editorial platform covering indie and alternative artists. It is a direct partner of Also Cool (co-presenting events) and competes for attention in covering the same Montreal indie music scene.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Also Cool Magazine social profiles
Digital presenceAlso Cool Magazine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Also Cool Magazine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Also Cool Magazine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Also Cool Magazine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Also Cool Magazine
What does Also Cool Magazine do?
Also Cool Magazine is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit digital publication covering music, culture, arts, fashion, and theatre in Montreal and Ottawa. It sells editorial content via a Squarespace website, a podcast ("Also Cool Sounds Like"), and bi-weekly radio shows on N10.AS and Frozen Section Radio, alongside free community events. Supporting the editorial work are a Patreon membership program ($3-$25/month tiers) and a merchandise shop selling branded apparel and goods.
Is Also Cool Magazine a public or private company?
Also Cool Magazine is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Also Cool Magazine founded?
Also Cool Magazine was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Also Cool Magazine based?
Also Cool Magazine is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Also Cool Magazine make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Patreon Membership is the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and shop.
Who are Also Cool Magazine's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Paste Magazine, BeatRoute Magazine and Exclaim!. Direct peers are Maisonneuve Magazine, Cult MTL, Editorial Magazine and The Main / Main Street Montreal. Regional players are Voir (Montreal) and District Montréal. Mothland is listed as an emerging player.
Does Also Cool Magazine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Also Cool Magazine.
What industry is Also Cool Magazine in?
Also Cool Magazine's product category is Independent Music & Culture Digital Media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAN, Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines, with a secondary code of MPAJAEAK, Entertainment & Celebrity Magazines. Its NAICS code is 513120 and its SIC code is 2721.