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.

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?”

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.

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?

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.

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.