''Time Off'' was a free weekly tabloid-sized music magazine ( street press) that was originally distributed in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia. The magazine began on campus in 1976 at the

University of Queensland , mottoeng = By means of knowledge and hard work , established = , endowment = A$224.3 million , budget = A$2.1 billion , type = Public research university , chancellor = Peter Varghese , vice_chancellor = Deborah Terry , city = ...

as an initiative of co-editors Rob Cameron and Bruce Dickson, and was originally printed on A4 glossy stock. While then circulated free on campus, it was simultaneously released for limited edition purchase through South-East Queensland newsagents. Commenting on its status as a pioneering cultural production of its type for Australia, Phillip Adams at the time described it as "a remarkable achievement" (for quality, independent publishing). In the early 80s, ''Time Off'' began distribution off-campus as a now free, newsprint edition. With a strong rock music bias, the magazine also focuses on cinema and the arts, and now has a separate dance music section. The magazine was edited/published for the bulk of its history by Sean Sennett who bought the magazine while it was in receivership in 1990 and successfully grew the paper over the ensuing period. For nearly twenty years Sennett oversaw the magazine taking it from 16pp to up to 72pp adding a glossy cover and expanding the magazine's print run and content. During this period Sennett interviewed over 1000 artists and gave many local writers the opportunity to have their work published. Sennett also instigated the 'Core Sample' series which saw local bands featured on various compilation CDs. Sennett has now established Time Off Media; the aim of which is to take the 'indie spirit' of Time Off into the digital age with Tom Magazine. Under Sennett's guidance ''Time Off'' were the second street paper to go online in Australia ''Beat Magazine''/nowiki>">Beat_Magazine.html" ;"title="ehind Beat Magazine">''Beat Magazine''/nowiki> in the early 1990s. Earlier editors included Shar Adams, Gavin Sawford and Brent Hampstead who shaped the paper from a 'what's on' guide to a more music themed publication. In April 2008 ''Time Off'' was sold to the Melbourne based publisher Street Press Australia, who published ''Inpress''. Steve Bull became editor. Sean Sennett set up a new online company Time Off Media. In August 2013 ''Time Off'' was merged with two other magazines, ''Drum Media'' and ''Inpress'', owned by Street Press and was renamed as ''The Music''. In August 2021 Time Off Media and Sean Sennett purchased ''Time Off'' back from Handshake Media. The title is now back in Brisbane and will resume officially in 2022.

References

External links

Official website
1976 establishments in Australia 2013 disestablishments in Australia Defunct magazines published in Australia Free magazines Magazines established in 1976 Magazines disestablished in 2013 Mass media in Brisbane Music magazines published in Australia Weekly magazines published in Australia {{music-mag-stub