Difference between revisions of "Local Artist Spotlight Interview Tips"

Revision as of 22:21, 7 January 2015

Prep - make sure you have listened to their music and done some research before they get to the studio. This will help to capture better relevant content during the interview, but will also lend to a sense of confidence in you as representative. Begin by thanking them for their time, and work to establish a trusting rapport with general friendly conversation prior to recording. Explain the format if they’re not already familiar with the spotlights (play one if necessary).

Remind/mention to them:

• That their responses will get condensed into 10-20 second sound-bites, so they need to be try to be concise, and speak in complete sentences.
• To speak one at a time.
• Go over microphone and headphone use. Suggest that they will sound better by staying on mic, and listening for quality.
• When there’s more than one, ask them to each speak their name, in order to help you to recognize who said what, and to pronounce their names correctly.

Begin the Interview as soon as the conversation begins leading into the music. Here are some example questions. Avoid yes or no questions.

• How did the group get started?
• Where did the name of the group come from?
• If someone hasn’t heard your music, how do you tell them what to expect? Or would you rather not?
• Is there a primary songwriter in the group? Does everyone contribute to that process? If its a solo songwriter I ask what kind of things inspire them, what kind of process they typically go through when writing etc.
• If its a studio recording, how do they think it compares to or differs from their live sound?
• Describe your musical journey up to this point and where you're headed.
• What do you think makes you unique among groups that play similar music?
• What do you think people enjoy most about your music?
• What about the band or recording excites you most?

Feel free to deviate from these questions, but make sure that the quotes you're getting are usable. Don't be afraid to direct your guest and guild to a better response by rewording your question. But keep in mind. if they don't make the point well, you can write it into narration - as long as the artist quotes you'll rely on have some character and vitality.

Above all listen to what they are saying. If they go down an interesting path, go down it with them. If they're struggling to answer something, ask a different question.