Some tips to interview a musician
If you have interviewed musicians because of your work, I bet you have a lot of funny, strange and surely embarrassing anecdotes to tell. Interviewing an artist can be exciting but in many cases it is also a lottery because artists...are artists and you do not know what you are going to find. And precisely for that reason, you must be prepared to be able to get out of the situations that you will undoubtedly end up experiencing. These are some of the tips that I would give you if you have to interview a musician for the first time!
Turn on the recorder
It seems obvious, but it is not. You would be surprised how many interviews have been lost and had to be transcribed from memory for this exact reason. So if you don't want to have cold sweats and have a bad time, check three times that the device you chose to use is recording correctly.
Have a spare recorder
Whether you are going to interview the artist via phone call, zoom or in person using a recorder, make sure to have a second device to record the conversation. Nevertheless, if you only have one, make sure to make a copy and save it in a pen drive, email, or any other place right after the interview.
Don't follow a script or read the questions you prepared
You do not have to learn the biography and discography of the artist by heart, but it is highly recommended that you know who you are going to interview and have some curiosity about what he or she does. Prepare yourself for the interview and write down some questions or guidelines but don't stick with it. Listen to what the artist responds and adapt to his or her responses as the interview progresses. It will be easier for you to connect with the artist and for both of you to feel comfortable.
Get ready to improvise
The artist may be in a bad mood, tired, jet lagged, or just hungover. He may have an accent that is difficult to understand, or you may think that you are going to interview the singer and whoever appears is, for example, the drummer. You may even receive a list of prohibited topics. So be prepared for all kinds of unexpected situations, which you will undoubtedly end up living.
Avoid the usual questions
Don't ask what you already know, what you've read in the press release, or what someone has already asked. And above all, avoid standard questions. In short, if you are looking for original answers, ask different questions. Think about the interview that you would be interested in reading.
Be concise
Don't try to impress the artist or ask long questions. You will most likely end up getting short or monosyllabic responses and run out of content to publish creating a bad impression of yourself.
Be careful with email interviews
It is true that they will save you from a lot of work since no one likes to transcript an interview. However, if you can I’d recommend you to do the interview in person, by phone or by video call. Email interviews can be quick and easy but surely sooner rather than later you will get an interview answered by a friend, a crew member or simply anyone else who passes by.
Be respectful
Always be respectful, don't try to provoke if you don't want to create an awkward moment or ruin the interview. Do not forget that the artist is just a person like you, and that what he does might be cool but at the end of the day is his or her job. Nevertheless, if you end up having an unpleasant moment for one reason or another, try to stay cool with it. After all, it will probably take a short time for the artist to forget, and you will have an anecdote to tell.
Be on time
Be prepared to wait, but never make the artist wait. Interviews are often very timed so be on time and have the material ready.
Don't take photos or ask for autographs
Just avoid asking for a photo together with the artist. You may be a fan, but few things subtract as much professionalism as that. You will certainly be portrayed, but as a fan who has sought an opportunity to meet his idol more than a professional doing his work.
Don't manipulate the interview
Be professional and transcribe the interview as it happened. Avoid headlines looking for clickbait. You may gain traffic, but you will also earn yourself a bad name. Having said this, it is allowed to alter the order of the questions if you consider that it is more appropriate and does not affect the speech.
Cover photograph: Chrvches being interviewed at Coachella
