WHAT DO MUSIC JOURNALISTS DO?
Ah, music journalists. The luckiest people on earth. Or ‘scum’ to the legions of disgruntled artists out there who’ve been at the receiving end of their sharp tongues. The music press is the filter between you, the consumer, and the record company seeking to empty your wallet. The first impartial, critical view you’re going to hear about a new record is from a music journalist. They are therefore pretty influential. Music journalism comprises, amongst other things: • Features on bands/artists involving an interview and photos • Features on musical trends or current news • News items – who’s gone platinum, died, signed to a new label, been arrested for throwing peanuts at an air stewardess, etc. • Album/single reviews • Gig reviews • Q&As- straightforward question and answer pieces • ‘Think pieces’, in which a journalist expresses their opinion on a matter, personal experience or theory. Music journalists can be full-time staff members but are usually freelancers – which is how you, as
