Music interviews for a band or solo artist can sometimes seem daunting and they can make or break you when addressed correctly or incorrectly. The main things you need to remember is to really plug your music, be engaging and interesting for the viewers. Sounds simple right? Well, there are definitely ways to make it easier for yourselves, so here we will give you the lowdown on all things relating to music interviews with artists.
Publicity For Bands And Musicians
Publicity is so vital for musicians, whether that be on tv, with a major music publisher or music magazine. You want to grow your fanbase and they want to get to know you, and with such a visual promotional world we now live in, with regards to social media, it is critical to approach this in the right way. So take an interest in the promotional route you take as a band or musician. The more exposure you receive, the more music opportunities you will land. That is usually how it works anyway.
Let’s work on those interview questions for music artists like yourselves, what will you be asked?
Examples of Music Interview Questions
Now of course there are going to be many more questions asked of you during a music interview, but we have collated a few of the general ones for you here. I would suggest that you go over these if you haven’t thought about them before or if you are a pro, maybe think about how they have changed or not for you?
- How did you get into music?
- What is your creative process as a musician?
- Who would you like to collaborate with?
- Who has been your mentor in this industry?
- When is your single/album out?
- Where do you see yourselves in the next 5-10 years?
- What would you say is your strength as an artist?
- Who inspired you as a musician?
- How have you grown as a musician?
- What has been your proudest moment?
- Where has been your favorite place to perform?
- How do you think others would describe you as a musician or band?
Ideas On How To Nail That Next Music Interview
Prepare For The Obvious Questions
As we have mentioned above, there are going to be plenty of questions in a music interview, but you have to be ready and prepared for the very obvious questions. Maybe even do a mock interview amongst you and see how you do. The better prepared you are, the more relaxed and more engaged you will appear. Your reason for your music career taking the route it has so far will be more clear and we will get a more concise idea of where you are in the music industry today. So, when they ask, ‘Who has been your biggest influence?’, ‘What is your sound?’, ‘What is the inspiration behind your latest single or album?”, ‘What is next for you as a band or musician?’ then be ready with an answer. As an emerging artist or more of a fully fledged musician, you really need to be forthcoming with your comments.
How Do You Want To Be Perceived?
What is your story and how are you going to show this? Who are you as a band or musician and how do you want to get this across to the interviewer? The need for authenticity these days is crucial for any band or musician, so the more genuine you are, the better the exposure. And more followers it will attract as they will see the real you. Make sure that you know your backstory and how you want this to come across to the audience – whoever that may be. Honesty, truth and vulnerability at times are going to be game changers. You can choose how far you go with your fans, but people do appreciate seeing the artist for what they are. Think of the musicians you admire, and why do you like them? More than likely it will be because they showcase the real person.
Plug Your Music / Promotion
This is so essential for any band or music when it comes to interviews – you have to know what you are promoting and when it is being released! There have certainly been times when artists are unsure of these simple details on live tv and it shows. So have these dates circling around in your brain. You love making music and you want as many people to listen to it, so this is your chance to plug every inch of the new single or album you have just put so much time and effort into. Tell your fans to stream your latest single, buy your vinyl or when your next show is going to be. Get them on board and self-promote as if your life depended on it.
Who Is Your Audience?
Ask yourself, when doing your next music interview, who are your audience and what is their demographic? The type of audience you will be addressing will affect the music interview questions, so do some research beforehand. You can always look at the style of interview the person who is going to be interviewing you has done before so you get an idea of what to expect.
Relax & Engage With Your Interviewer
This is key! Remember to enjoy the interview and really engage on a personal level with the interviewer and the odds will be in your favor. Being illusive and unfriendly will not work and will not attract more followers, so be aware of your demeanor on the day of the interview. People want to see or read about a personable musician, so be prepared to be on show. Be warm and witty during the interview and this will make such a difference not only to your fans but to the relationship you have with the person interviewing you as well. You are essentially there to entertain and put on your best version of yourself, so make sure you bring this to the table.
Even if you have been asked countless times about your style of music, or how do you feel performing in front of your fans, bring a fresh new energy to these questions and lean into them. The interview process will feel more natural if you are more relaxed and really focus on what the interview is asking of you.
Closing Thoughts
Are you now ready to tackle those music interview questions for that huge music publisher or music blogger? The truth is, the more promotion you do for you and your band or as a solo artist, it will get easier and you just have to remember why you are in this business. For the love of music and getting it out to as many people as you can. So with this, there comes music interviews. We have covered just the basics here, but hopefully it will have given you some good ideas of how to address the next music interview you are involved in.
Your interview is the perfect opportunity to inspire and engage with your fanbase, so take them seriously as you would any gig you play. The more prepped you can be and enjoy the experience at the same time, then you should see your popularity grow and with that, your record sales too.
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