Here’s a potted history of fanzines and e-zines… a discussion about the pros and cons… thoughts about what happens next… and some essential tips for running a successful Music Zine in 2017… Read More
Category: Journalism
Musical Journalism is the Silliest Waste of Time you can Imagine
The digital landscape is a huge vox populi machine that is supposed to leave room for millions of voices — but in fact it’s simply a fully automated regurgitation system that spews out easily flushable drivel. The spectator settles in one small corner of a vast structure and he or she waits for a bunch of faceless charlatans to send out brightly coloured fragments for brief diversionary amusement… Here’s some tips for 2017 Music Journalists Read More
9 Tips to Make Your Review Sparkle
Reviews should, of course, be written without malice. But to review a piece of work effectively, the Rock Journalist should aim for clarity, conviction and — most importantly — honesty Here are 9 tips to help make your opinion sparkle with clarity, conviction and honesty * Establish your knowledge of the artist by briefly describing… Read More
Criticism in Review
Eight ways to explore work critically, without being too negative Read More
Reporting from Your Natural Viewpoint
If you aim to contribute lots of exciting features to your blogs and journals, do not forget that your own personal experience and natural perspective is priceless. What Facebook Groups do you belong to? What’s happening on those groups? What music do they think is going ‘up’ and coming ‘down’ in the music scene? Gossip… Read More
How to Get your Blog Readers Beyond the First 100 Words
Let’s face it: Half your blog readers do not get beyond the first 100 words Incidentally, that’s why you should focus on creating fresh content using inspiring and provocative writing. It’s why you should never resort to cut-n-paste appropriation. Word-poaching is not only a violation of copyright — it also undermines and debilitates the entire… Read More
How To Write up a Story When the Artist is Dull
When you meet a (seemingly) colourless individual — it’s your job to do that ‘fixating’ thing on on behalf of your readers… It’s your job to reveal the face. To expose the person hidden behind the eyes … Here are some tips that may help … Read More
Your Role at Concerts — The Committed Observer
How do you create a great new-story from a gig or a concert? A music journalist uses their verification capabilities and their storytelling art to make a gig-report newsworthy. A good show review is not written merely to inform readers, it also adds value to the concert itself… Here are some tips to help your report stand out from the rest … Read More
The Verification Process in Rock Journalism
We all know that feeling. It’s late and you’re very tired. You have just deleted a shed-load of unsolicited mail from your inbox. But one press release stands out. Perhaps the band’s name rings a bell. And the photo makes you smile. Maybe you are persuaded by the subject line that fools you into thinking… Read More
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