Live performance article overview

Overview

At the moment, KDHX.org's greatest need for Web content is in the "Live Performance" section: kdhx.org/music/live-performances

This is Home for all of the articles written about the in-studio live performance sessions that air on KDHX. As you can see, there are a lot of them!

Depending on the month, KDHX may have as many as five or six live performances in one week. Sometimes, a week will go by without any performances, but that is rare.

After the performance has aired, the article will feature streaming audio, and possibly video from the session. Some of these articles will preview future sessions; many others will fill-in needed articles from past performances.

Although we are using the words “Live Performance,” we are not talking about reviewing concerts. We are referring to live performances at the KDHX studios.

About Writing for Live Performances

It is not necessary to attend the session. Your focus is on writing about the band/artist(s) and their music in general.

As a KDHX freelance writer, you will be writing these types of articles, and possibly others related to events, education and other media matters. But for now, focus is on keeping this section up to date.

Browse the archive and read a dozen or so articles. They are short, rarely more than 200-300 words in length, and combine descriptions with facts in a manner that’s engaging for the reader – or at least that’s the goal.

If you think you would be able to contribute one article every two weeks or so, that would be fantastic. Often a week will go by without an assignment, so this will be a semi-regular need. Your editor will provide as much time as possible to meet the deadline.

The range of genres and artists that KDHX hosts for live performances is vast. The editor will try to assign artists you will enjoy, but expect to be introduced to new and potentially challenging sounds.

Guidelines

The first paragraph is the intro paragraph or lede. This should be short, snappy introduction to the band using approximately 30 words or less,. The lede should be creative and engaging. Use a great metaphor, image or clever line to get the reader hooked. The goal is to inspire the reader to read further.

The second paragraph is the body text. Length is flexible, but 100-200 words is a good range. Here, you can fill in details. Be as creative as you like! Flesh out the description of the artist’s sound and style, identify band members, include news and information, mention a new CD or an award — whatever you feel will be informative or entertaining to the reader.

Note: These articles are evergreen. There is no need to mention any recent appearances in the St. Louis area.

You will need to do a little research on the artists by visiting their Myspace, Facebook and their home page. Read their bio or Wiki page. Listen to their music. Do some Googling and find out more about the artist. Take notes, but don’t feel you have to be exhaustive in your research, or become an expert on the band. 45 minutes to an hour of research and listening should give you enough information to get started on the article.

Be mindful of not turning these pieces into album reviews. You may reference a recent album and describe its sound, but don't go overboard with details of particular songs from the album, as that may confuse readers.

In some cases, you may get a chance to hear the session before or during your composition. If your editor sends you a link to the session, listen to it a few times, comment on it and describe specific songs and the sound of the session. In most cases however, you will not be able to hear the session before you begin writing. Again, the focus is on writing an engaging, informed, vigorous "Critic's Pick"-style profile of the band and its music.

Process

You will receive an assignment from your editor by email. That assignment will have a few details, including a deadline.

Once you have done a bit of research and feel inspired and ready to write, compose your lede and body paragraph. For now, you do not have to worry about linking, images or formatting. The editor will take care of that.

Proofread and spell check your work. Double check the spellings of all band member names and any other fact-based information, as relevant.

When you are happy with your article, you may email it to the editor with a Word document attachment, a text file attachment or just copy and paste your text into the body of the email.

The editor will format and publish the article on the web and then send you a link to the live article, which will include your byline.

Notes on style

These pieces are profiles of artists who are guests in the KDHX studios. While you should not hype or sell the artist or band, you also should not attack or harshly criticize their music. These profiles should be honest, detailed and imaginative, but they should not focus on criticizing the music.

Be very careful to avoid plagiarism. If you read an artist's bio or Wiki page, do not merely rephrase or rehash that material. Fully digest that material and put it into your own words.

Generally speaking, stay away from the first person point of view (“I”). (Note: This rule does not apply to concert reviews.)

Focus on describing the band’s sound and style, rather than hyping or promoting them.

Use metaphors and images to convey the sound. A creative comparison can be both evocative and entertaining for your readers.

Keep exclamation points and obvious cliches to a minimum.

Adjectives are great, but avoid vague or overused modifiers such as: "interesting," "unique," "soulful," "emotional," and "perfect."

We all like a good culinary metaphor, but go easy on comparing music to food.

Use AP Style for your writing. Please review this Wiki article on KDHX AP Style: KDHX online writing style

Most of all, have fun writing!