Music journalism is not just fangirling over
your favourite bands, writing glowing ‘reviews’ explaining why you love
everything they do and the ground that they walk on. It’s not critically
analysing every note and chord, either. It isn’t about finding hidden academic
messages, or only reading the surface. Like with everything, music journalism
at its best is about balance. A glorious mix of research, creative writing,
opinion stance and passion.
Having been a freelance music journalist (The
National Student, The 405, NME, Gigslutz…) for the past four years, I’ve
learned a lot. Self-taught, young, naïve, I’ve realised it’s about quality, not
quantity and found my own voice. Now studying the music journalism module as
part of my degree at Birmingham City University, here are my top tips.
1. Know your
own voice
We start with an important one. Journalism is
all about having a voice, but for it to be good it has to be your voice. Whether
you’re writing for your own blog or for a publication, it’s your name attached
to your words. So make it from you! If you love something that everybody else
thinks is crap, or vice versa then express your
views – but justify it. The more you write, the more you’ll develop a
style. Do you have an unusual vocabulary? Use funny words? Have strong regional
dialect? Are wise beyond your years? Utilise it. It’s you.
2. Read other
music reviews
Following this, it’s important to know what’s
going on in the music world – popular, underground, all around. Read other
reviews and note popular techniques and writing rhythms, though don’t compare
yourself to those who have been writing for years. Instead, learn from them. Don’t
copy! What would be the point in that?
3. Try and
avoid personal pronouns
Okay, this is just more my preference. Unless
you are trying to really get your own voice on a blog then try and avoid
writing from an ‘I’ perspective. I feels like this disconnects you from a
reader. If you’re writing up an interview, instead of ‘I walked into the venue
and met the band’ try something like ‘Walking into the venue, ____ is welcoming
with a warm embrace and a friendly introduction. As if they need one.’ This
puts a reader into the environment with you, making it easier to immerse into. This
applies with reviews too, especially live ones!
4. Work on your
creative writing
Music journalism is amazing with allowing
freedom. You can start a piece anywhere that you like and lead into the song or
musician in different directions. Your laptop screen is a blank canvas where
you’re trying to explain audio. Mad. So set a scene, how do you feel? Where
have you been taken? What are you thinking about? Be descriptive, inventive and
fun. Make it read like a story with a beginning, middle and end.
5. Leave the
comfort zone
If you want to better your writing skills,
then jump into the deep end. If you’re a hard-core indie rock fan, awesome. Though
have you tried electro? Metal? Folk? Punk? Give different genres a listen, explore
different languages and styles. You’ll find that you’ll write a much more
interesting review instead of the same repetitive riff descriptions! You might
even find your new favourite band.
6. Learn a little
bit about how music is made
You’ve probably completely forgotten what
sort of family the drum belongs to, and how to differentiate guitars from
primary school music classes. Though when you’re reviewing music, you kinda
have to know your difference between electric and bass. This is great if you’re
already a musician. Also, if an artist mentions a recording studio or equipment
– have a Google. Get to know what synths sound like, the difference between
beats and rhythm… you’ll do this by reading more about music!
7. Write what
it is worth
It’s easy to start rambling about how great
your favourite band’s new album is, and to write a few lines about something
cool but what you don’t understand. There’s a fine line between grabbing
attention and losing it. How much do you read on your phone before getting
bored? In interviews, it doesn’t matter if you had a natter about Eastenders
last night, unless it’s necessary then cut it. Sometimes less is more.
8. Be well
researched
This is especially important in interviews,
you don’t want to just be reading the same boring old questions off a bit of
paper, getting an answer then going to the next! Instead read past interviews,
do your research, listen to the person you’ll be talking to and make sure that
you know enough to make it more like a conversation than a university
interview. Be ready to jump on anything interesting that they may let slip, so
listen to them carefully. Completely abandon your questions once you’re in the
flow and instead have a conversation. You’ll get much better results when they’re
not answering the same questions they have a thousand times!
9. Be prepared
& professional
Keep up with music trends and know who’s
playing in your area in advance for better chance of getting coverage. Once you
start working with PR, keep your professional levels up. Complete what you say
you will and in good time, turn up when you’re on a guest list or let them know
if plans change, keep your request emails short and sweet. Know the difference
between chasing up, and pestering. It’s important to always be prepared too,
know when the act you’re reviewing are going on stage and have spare batteries
for your recording device in interviews. Double check it’s even recording! Know
music news, release dates and generally just be on top form. Google your name
and make sure your open online profiles are clean! Set up a LinkedIn and a
professional email too.
10. Quality, not
quantity
When I start writing for somewhere new, I try
and bash out so many articles for the rush of being published. This meant that
shit articles were being published. Repetitive articles, boring articles… Take time
to double check any details, including names, dates and even gender. It’s not
worth the embarrassment for the rush.
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