2. THE INTERVIEW
The article will consist of an interview with the band Electric Mafia. Looking at
other examples of band interviews on double page spreads, I can look at what
sort of questions I need to be asking. It is also helpful in looking at colour
schemes and layouts.
This first example from Riot magazine shows a well structured interview which is
easy to read. They have used colours so that there is a contrast between the
question and answer but these colours are also linked to the overall house style.
The layout of the text is in 3 neat
columns with a further column down
the side of the page (this is separate as
it is presented in a different colour and
has its own header). The questions
themselves are all relevant to the band
being interviewed such as “What was it
like touring with Chase and Status?”.
This is an appropriate question to ask as
it is specific to them.
3. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
EXAMPLES
This is another example of a band interview from a double page spread. This is
slightly different to the first as it has different sections for each individual person
(band member). Looking at the text it follows the same idea as the first one, the
question and answer are in two different colours so there is a clear contrast
between them. There is also a separate section (column) which has a different
background to show that it is separate to the rest of the text. The interview itself
is only small but they have used a quote from one of the members as the title of
the article.
The questions themselves are specific
to the band. Although there is only 3
main questions, the answers are given
in detail. The answer are also
supported by a small photo of the
band member. One example of the
questions used in this article would be,
“Are you getting bored of people
asking if you can play your own songs
on guitar hero?”
4. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
EXAMPLES
This is another example of a double page spread band interview but this has a
different layout to the two previous examples. Here the images are placed in
the centre and the questions and answers around it. The double page spread
also uses features such as a puff to promote a quote from one of the members.
Like the previous two interviews, it uses separate colours for the question and
answers to show a clear contrast between them. Also instead of photos
supporting the questions, there are small/ simple symbols which represent the
idea behind the question.
A key is given on the page to support
the symbols. The symbols indicate what
subject the question is on, for example
the symbol of a pound sign is used for
„Fame and Fortune‟, the symbol of the
heart is „Love and Snogs‟ and the
symbol of the plus symbol is „Health
and Hygiene‟. This is a different
approach for an interview but makes it
easier to desirer information.
5. QUESTIONS
• Looking at the example double page spread interviews, I have devised the
following questions…
• How long have you been together as a band?
• Are you the original members that formed the band?
• Where was the first gig you played?
• How were you discovered?
• How did you come up with your band name? Was it down to one person or a
group decision?
• Who has influenced your band?
• Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?
• What got you into the genre of music that you play?
• In your band, who does what? (e.g song writer ect)
• How did you get started as a band?
• What would be your dream/ favourite venue to preform at?
• Is it easy preforming your music? Do you get nervous before or during a show?
6. QUESTIONS
•
Is their any inspiration behind any of your songs?
•
What have been the highlights as your time as a band?
•
What have been the low points as your time as a band?
•
Has music always been a hobby?
•
Have you always wanted to be in a band?
•
What would you say are the biggest problems facing new bands?
•
Do you have any advice for new bands such as how to get noticed or a
record deal?
These questions are all suitable for the band that I will be interviewing for my
double page spread. I had to keep the questions appropriate to the band as I
could not ask questions that did not apply to them, for example, asking a
question about „being in the media spotlight‟ or „having paparazzi following
them‟ would be irrelevant as they are a small unsigned band that do not have
that lifestyle.
7. THE LAYOUT
• Looking at the examples, they all present the question and answer in a
different colour to show a contrast between the two, this makes it easier to
identify which section of text and which is the answer.
• All three examples also present the interview in columns so that it makes it
easier to read and the text is broken up a bit, its not one big solid block of
information. The columns make it easier to present information and also
makes it easier to give clearer answers (doesn‟t have to be in quotation
marks, can be titled by the question or by the name of the person
answering).
• The first two examples also have a separate column for „more important‟
information, this could be so it is easier to find or is not a question and answer,
it could be an introduction to the band, album or gig information.
• Another feature used in all three is that the questions are all separate
paragraphs, they stand on their own with the answer and then there is a gap
before the next one. This also makes the text easier to read and easier to find
information.
