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?

6. QUESTIONS
•
Is it easy preforming your music? Do you get nervous before or during a show?
•
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.