WHO'S BUILDING THE SCENE? interview WITH PARKER HAYDEN OF NEWD MAGAZINE
STAFF WRITER: Sophia Tatonetti
Parker Hayden is a Philadelphia-based creative and recent Communications graduate of Saint Joseph’s University. With a foundation in media studies and a long-standing commitment to music culture, his work moves fluidly between design, writing, and independent publishing. Hayden’s interests are less about fitting into existing systems and more about constructing new ones.
He is a co-founder of NEWD Magazine, an emerging Philadelphia publication built to spotlight artists across disciplines. The magazine functions as a multidisciplinary platform, featuring visual art, photography, graphic design, poetry, journalism, and experimental work. Rather than adhering to conventional editorial formulas, NEWD emphasizes raw perspective, creative autonomy, and community-driven storytelling. The publication was launched with the intention of carving out space for artists who feel constrained by institutional standards or commercial pressures. In a media climate often shaped by sponsorships, algorithms, and trend cycles, NEWD aims to foreground originality and risk. Its identity is intentionally distinct, visually bold, culturally aware, and resistant to homogenized aesthetics.
The debut issue, scheduled for release in late February, represents more than a launch; it marks a rebirth. For Hayden and his co-founders, Novalee and Sophia Tat, this first volume signals a deliberate reset, a reclamation of creative agency after working within prior structures that no longer aligned with their vision. The inaugural issue will primarily feature work from the founding trio, establishing the magazine’s voice, tone, and aesthetic foundation. From there, the goal is expansion: to open the platform to a wider network of Philadelphia creatives while maintaining its original ethos.
For Hayden, NEWD represents more than a publication launch; it signals the formation of a creative infrastructure. As the magazine develops, its central objective remains consistent: to expand its reach while preserving its independence and commitment to unfiltered artistic expression.
Follow Instagram: @newdmagazine
Submit your work and email: newdmagzine@gmail.com
READ THE full INTERVIEW BELOW!
Introduce yourself.
"My name is Parker Hayden. I’m from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and I went to Saint Joseph’s University. I currently work in the music industry doing graphic design and poster work for a venue in Bensalem. Outside of work, I’m deeply involved in music and writing. I record and produce music occasionally and write both professionally for publications and as a hobby. I’m also one-third of the founding team behind NEWD Mag, where I help edit, write materials, and brainstorm design ideas."
What is NEWD Mag?
"NEWD is a magazine that exists because we wanted to create a coalition for creatives. It’s a place for people who’ve felt neglected, especially politically or artistically, to have a platform to express themselves freely. We wanted a space where artists can break into their respective industry without dealing with any kind of traditional gatekeeping. The mag is about building something where people share a common goal and lift each other up."
How did NEWD start?
"The three of us; myself, Sophia, and Novalee, all worked for another magazine. We left for different reasons, but we knew we worked well together and wanted to build something rooted in the arts. Rather than working under someone else’s vision, we decided to create our own. It came from frustration, but also from wanting to collaborate independently."
Why does Philadelphia need a platform like NEWD?
"As the creative landscape becomes increasingly corporatized, and as generative AI reshapes creative labor; there’s less space for artists to freely express themselves. NEWD gives artists a place to exist without any preconceived expectations. It’s one of the few platforms that prioritizes genuine, free-minded expression rather than telling people what they should value."
Tell me about one of your pieces in NEWD.
"I wrote about how Payola has reinvented itself in modern music journalism. Instead of radio, it’s now embedded in streaming and media ecosystems. I wanted to critique how corporate influence shapes the way we talk about music and, in turn, how it affects writers and artists. Since the 1950s, Payola has limited conversations about music. Major publications often impose ideology that narrows how we experience art. I contrasted that with the idea of independent outlets like NEWD and their aims to be the opposite, encouraging free expression rather than prescribing taste."
What are your hopes for NEWD’s future?
"I hope more people submit work and see it as a stable place to gather and build community. I’d love for it to grow alongside Philadelphia’s subcultures and collaborate with more local venues and creatives. But growth shouldn’t mean losing independence. I don’t want it to become something corporate or formulaic, I don't want to end up like RollingStone Magazine but rather end up like a Raygun. I hope NEWD continues taking risks and remains original."
Comments