How to Interview a Musician

Музыка

I've seen a lot of poor attempts at interviewing musicians. If you're just starting out as an interviewer independently or with a radio station / KZread channel, hopefully my advice here will help you out! I talk about good and bad questions to ask as well as general advice on how to avoid awkwardness and to prepare for the interview.
Like, comment, and subscribe! Or if you didn't like it, leave a Dislike and let me know what you don't like about the video, and I'll try to do better next time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skip ahead to various sections of the video:
Intro: 0:00
Preparing for the Interview: 1:51
Starter Questions: 4:02
Good and Less Good Questions: 5:02
How to Avoid and Mitigate Awkwardness: 14:09
How to the End the Interview: 17:01
Outro: 18:06
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other interviews I have conducted and performances I have filmed in my college radio experience:
Xochitl and Andrew Castro: • Xochitl and Andrew Cas...
Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein: • Doyle Interview (Doyle...
The Get Ahead: • The Get Ahead Live on ...
Kool Stuff Katie: • Kool Stuff Katie Live ...
Sama Dams: • Sama Dams "My Ears Are...
Drew Tabor: • Drew Tabor Interview o...
Animal Hours: • Animals Hours Intervie...
Decoded: • Decoded Interview on KDUP
Cleopatra Degher: • Cleopatra Degher Inter...
Bed.: • Bed. Interview + "Both...
Lee Corey Oswald: • Lee Corey Oswald Inter...
Feedbacula: • Feedbacula Live on KDUP
How to Dress Well: • How To Dress Well Inte...
The Singles: • The Singles Interview ...
David Tanklefsky: • David Tanklefsky Inter...
Taylor Mathews: • Taylor Mathews - "Do W...
NoRey: • NoRey Live on KDUP: In...
Running Red Lights: • Running Red Lights - "...
Blue Sky Miners: • Blue Sky Miners - "Thr...
Said The Whale: • Tyler Bancroft (Said T...
Dylan Jakobsen: • Kris Orlowski Intervie...
Kris Orlowski: • Kris Orlowski Intervie...
Ron Pope: • Ron Pope Interview (20...
#interview #musician #radio

Пікірлер: 110

  • @THATdynamite
    @THATdynamite7 жыл бұрын

    his was so helpful i wish i could like this 100 times

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    7 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching!

  • @skinhitters

    @skinhitters

    5 жыл бұрын

    “I Love your Artistry and work.” ❤️❤️❤️

  • @RayNaylor
    @RayNaylor8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video. For almost 2 years I've been producing and hosting a KZread show called "The Performing Songwriter". This week I uploaded my 49th Episode. You gave a number of questions that I haven't thought about or have asked only frequently. This is very helpful. One question I hear over and over again interviews of songwriters is: What comes first, the lyrics or the music? I so tired of hearing or reading this question. As a songwriter, what comes first, comes first. I don't care which, I'm just trying to write a good song. In the last two years I've studied video production on my own a lot. One of the things always said is to tell a story. I wondered how to tell a story in an interview. What I do (at least so far) is follow the three steps of a lot of stories: 1. Introduce the characters. 2. Discuss anything that is an issue or something that might be a challenge for them. 3. Resolution by a live performance by the artist, which is what it's all about anyway. I'm sure I'll find a better way to do it, but this is what I'm trying to do in my interviews (not so much in the earlier ones I've done). In terms of known people that I have interviewed, some are local (Philadelphia) and some are not. I don't mean "Bob Dylan" known, but known to some extent in the singer-songwriter world. Maybe the most accomplished artist is a songwriter and performer named Tom Kimmel. I've known Tom for a number of years. He spent many years in Nashville having some of his songs in movies, and others recorded by people such as Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, and others I forget. With Tom and a few others I've done the interview and performance over Skype, which presents it's own challenges. They need to be able to record their part on their end and send me the audio file. Otherwise, it will most likely sound like crap. Thanks again. Ray Naylor

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the great comment Ray! It is definitely an art trying to find what questions are good and which are bad. There are definitely some questions (which I mentioned) that always get a similar and boring answer, so I cut that question. And a lot of times it is up to the musicians to give good answers. There are some fantastic people out there who have insightful things to say, and like you said, telling a story is a great format and can really get a steady conversation going. When that happens, you're not just reading questions off your list, you're having a regular conversation. Thanks again for the comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

  • @ImWearingAWire
    @ImWearingAWire4 жыл бұрын

    This is super helpful, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

  • @stephmetcalfe4378
    @stephmetcalfe43784 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for the tips!!! I have my first interview with a band in 2 days and this had been super helpful!!!

  • @ashtv5399
    @ashtv53993 жыл бұрын

    Really great video! You dropped some good gems in here to help me come up with some great questions.

  • @crazy-horsecrazyhorse8543
    @crazy-horsecrazyhorse85435 жыл бұрын

    Mason, thanks so much for sharing your interview questions and idea’s, I too am a Musician so I really appreciate your approach to interviewing musicians, your interviewing system is the best. Peace Crazyhorse.

  • @salimatouthiam8099
    @salimatouthiam80994 жыл бұрын

    Love this video. It's a game changer!

  • @ridikulazyoutube9977
    @ridikulazyoutube99778 жыл бұрын

    I just subscribed....dope informative video. I am a musician myself, I understand where you comin' from

  • @thenextbigthing0938
    @thenextbigthing09386 жыл бұрын

    Thanks man this really helps. If just started my podcast and interviewing artist and bands and this really helps me keep it up

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    6 жыл бұрын

    That's great! I'm glad I could help. Good luck with the podcast!

  • @Highnyguy
    @Highnyguy2 жыл бұрын

    Made some really good points. Thank for taking the time

  • @ruthmrnflx6461
    @ruthmrnflx6461 Жыл бұрын

    I’m about to interview my first rapper this weekend working on getting my first host job. I’m really scared and thank you for this video ❤

  • @chinyereanyanwu2108

    @chinyereanyanwu2108

    Ай бұрын

    I'm about to go through the same thing this year.A friend of mine who is a musician wants me to interview him on a TV show tomorrow..omg.

  • @isabellanicolas4402
    @isabellanicolas44024 жыл бұрын

    You're surely a good interviewer and could be a great teacher! Thanks

  • @djangoamadeusoconnell5987
    @djangoamadeusoconnell59875 жыл бұрын

    very good advice... thank you for posting this.

  • @850vet
    @850vet4 жыл бұрын

    Definitely helpful good shit brodie

  • @JuanAlvarezMusic
    @JuanAlvarezMusic3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome information, thank you for sharing!

  • @puymao
    @puymao5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Your tips are practical.

  • @assaltshaker6746
    @assaltshaker67465 жыл бұрын

    I know this has nothing to do on interviewing musicians, but I'm planning on interviewing a voice actress soon. Thanks for the advice in the video! :)

  • @lyricalwolfvonmisfit
    @lyricalwolfvonmisfit Жыл бұрын

    thank you for this video. I'm thinking of trying to interviewing some bands and hoping to grow my channel. Thanks for the advice.

  • @kaitlynramirez5085
    @kaitlynramirez50855 жыл бұрын

    This helped a lot. Ive been interviewing a lot local punk and metal bands in southern California to give them that free promotional i wanna go to the bands ive already interviewed and apply what you had to say thanks so much for making this yay!!

  • @Route66FarmandSanctuary
    @Route66FarmandSanctuary9 ай бұрын

    thank you. I found this very helpful. I am getting ready to do my first true interview with a musician I have known for some time. He/the band knows me well so I feel it will be relaxed, but I want to be professional and create amazing content to promote them. The whole "questions" and how to present them is making me nervous, and your video is amazing!!! Thank you.

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    9 ай бұрын

    I'm so glad it helped! It can definitely be nerve-wracking, but you've got this!

  • @naughtieknotshaircare5416
    @naughtieknotshaircare54162 жыл бұрын

    Great video, I've learned so much in this 19 min video

  • @stokesy2006
    @stokesy20064 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this mate I've got my own show which will soon have interviews and I needed this info

  • @MyWhiteFair
    @MyWhiteFair7 жыл бұрын

    thanks a lot!!! this helped me so much

  • @paleomokoena4689
    @paleomokoena46893 ай бұрын

    A GEM 💎 of a video. Thank you

  • @abenicolaas
    @abenicolaas3 жыл бұрын

    Great vid man! Thanks a lot

  • @okellocarlsonedwin
    @okellocarlsonedwin8 ай бұрын

    This Guy has helped me a lot. Thanks..

  • @shadsworl4298
    @shadsworl42985 жыл бұрын

    I'm new in this and I'm really happy that I watched this video cause it helped me a lot. Now I think I'm totally ready for my first interview!😊

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! I'm glad it helped you! Good luck on your first interview, they are a lot of fun! :)

  • @ChuckShute
    @ChuckShute2 жыл бұрын

    Some great advice, nice job.

  • @RhaplordRevelation
    @RhaplordRevelation3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks man I love this

  • @heyarche
    @heyarche2 жыл бұрын

    Great video!!

  • @carlhansen4837
    @carlhansen48373 жыл бұрын

    Started interviewing for my channel and lined up a few more guitarista. Done one so far and this was super helpful thanks man!

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad to hear it dude! Good luck on your channel!

  • @binktvonline
    @binktvonline3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much, you help me a lot brother. God Bless you.

  • @nkrumahpatience8825
    @nkrumahpatience88257 жыл бұрын

    thanks.. I need more of this

  • @yaboyrobheth3255
    @yaboyrobheth32553 жыл бұрын

    Really helps! Thank you

  • @7SERIESfilm
    @7SERIESfilm8 жыл бұрын

    interesting video I'm just getting into interviewing and I was having a hard time coming up with questions. This video give me a starting point. I just subscribe and I will be checking out your videos more

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    8 жыл бұрын

    Good luck with the interviews! They are a lot of fun and you meet awesome people. Definitely look back at some of my interview videos for these questions in action. My most popular interview is with Doyle from The Misfits, and that is probably my best interview.

  • @gabrielrodriguez9697
    @gabrielrodriguez96975 жыл бұрын

    This was really helpful the band I am going to interview might remember me because I used to talk to each member before they become a band.

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    5 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Good luck with the interview!

  • @JackalGoldKick
    @JackalGoldKick2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the advice and tips I never done a interview before but might be doing one soon.

  • @Rrealmds

    @Rrealmds

    2 жыл бұрын

    I’m an upcoming Toronto artist. What if we try to work together for an interview?

  • @SheronLoftus
    @SheronLoftus6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this, so glad i watched this before my interview :)

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, I hope it helps! Good luck! :)

  • @enobongekong5391

    @enobongekong5391

    4 жыл бұрын

    I am a malians but I don't know what to do now, because no one interview me before serious,

  • @majerofirestarter6703
    @majerofirestarter67033 жыл бұрын

    Amazing bro,,,I like what you do

  • @MetalBere
    @MetalBere Жыл бұрын

    Great tips

  • @modupeayodele2128
    @modupeayodele2128 Жыл бұрын

    This is an impact to me. ♥️♥️♥️

  • @princezoegar5152
    @princezoegar51522 жыл бұрын

    I really love this

  • @sheeplydia1329
    @sheeplydia13296 жыл бұрын

    Thanx for sharing. It helped a lot!!!!!!🥇

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    6 жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped!

  • @lizwanjiku5954
    @lizwanjiku59548 жыл бұрын

    very helpful, thankyou..

  • @RiNGERMANTV
    @RiNGERMANTV8 жыл бұрын

    Great Video

  • @254hometv5
    @254hometv53 жыл бұрын

    I like this

  • @NicoleTheAlchemist
    @NicoleTheAlchemist3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you 😊

  • @lifeascece
    @lifeascece2 жыл бұрын

    thank you this helped

  • @Batmonthesequel
    @Batmonthesequel2 жыл бұрын

    I only started interviewing musicians in the past 18 months out of my recording studio’s necessity (I don’t exactly LIKE it but nobody else here could/would so I ended up being the defacto interviewer) What I can say with absolute certainty is avoid the “what inspires you” type questions. They’re just the “where do you get your ideas from” question in disguise and that is easily the lamest interview question (R.I.P Norm Macdonald). That question never goes well and always ends up cut out of the interview.

  • @sandeepsinghtausdilrubapla230
    @sandeepsinghtausdilrubapla2304 жыл бұрын

    Thats Great

  • @lukaszkludczynski
    @lukaszkludczynski5 жыл бұрын

    I'm going to interview someone soon thanks for support

  • @lewisfindley123
    @lewisfindley1235 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the awesome video. It's definitely made tomorrow less daunting!

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you found it helpful! Good luck with your interview.

  • @poponade3958
    @poponade39586 жыл бұрын

    very nice

  • @773tv8
    @773tv84 жыл бұрын

    🔥🔥🔥

  • @baharal-samarrai455
    @baharal-samarrai4557 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @mcwanu268
    @mcwanu2684 жыл бұрын

    Thanks men

  • @SHESHANTV
    @SHESHANTV4 жыл бұрын

    Nice thanks boss ✊🏾👋👋👋

  • @pataillancesobad4017
    @pataillancesobad40175 жыл бұрын

    Thank u pretty much! Im going to interview a band called SPANK for my school newspaper. I'm hella nervous xd

  • @liabp6
    @liabp67 жыл бұрын

    good video

  • @zoemorehead7515
    @zoemorehead75153 ай бұрын

    my favorite question to ask is "WHat do you hope your listeners will take from your music?"

  • @mariogarcia6481
    @mariogarcia64815 жыл бұрын

    I fucking SALUTE you sir!!

  • @Mbrown1123
    @Mbrown11235 жыл бұрын

    Great info, but use the "noise reduction" edit on audacity to get rid of that nasty ground loop ya got going on.

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yeah I've learned a hell of a lot about audio production since making this video, it's kind of embarassing watching this video now.

  • @lilrailshortrail608
    @lilrailshortrail6082 жыл бұрын

    Please watch and avoid awkwardness right

  • @merriellegatlin2714
    @merriellegatlin27145 ай бұрын

    The iheart radio interview with the Arctic Monkeys haunts my nightmares. Wish she had of seen this video

  • @c-willharris3782
    @c-willharris37824 жыл бұрын

    I'm really thinking about getting into this field what's your advice on getting the Artist to do a interview with u.

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sorry for not seeing this comment sooner. I worked at a college radio station, so I was working directly with artists and promoters. But if you don't have that connection, I would start by messaging smaller artists on Twitter or Instagram or email and just asking. You might also want to start with small local artists in your area. As your channel grows, you can attract bigger artists, since they will see more value in being featured on your channel.

  • @c-willharris3782

    @c-willharris3782

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@MasonzeroDigitalWorks This what I been doing it works just thought it was something else I could do right now

  • @mariogarcia6481
    @mariogarcia64815 жыл бұрын

    Bro, you hear buzzing on this video. Ijs

  • @joshjosh25694
    @joshjosh256942 жыл бұрын

    Having my first interview on Wednesday

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good luck dude!

  • @charizard4249
    @charizard42496 жыл бұрын

    This could be mt first time Interviewing a Musical Group, and It's Mayday Parade

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    6 жыл бұрын

    That’s awesome, Mayday Parade is good! Let me know how that goes.

  • @charizard4249

    @charizard4249

    6 жыл бұрын

    Masonzero Digital Works they called off the interview last week. It was going to be today

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    6 жыл бұрын

    Ah, sorry to hear that!

  • @charizard4249

    @charizard4249

    6 жыл бұрын

    Masonzero Digital Works there concert was lit so can't complain

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    6 жыл бұрын

    That’s awesome, I’ve seen them twice and they do not disappoint. Glad you had a great time.

  • @damianmedina6375
    @damianmedina63753 жыл бұрын

    bouta interview Mario Judah in a discord server this helped

  • @marijastojadinovic43
    @marijastojadinovic432 жыл бұрын

    I almost stopped watching when you said "Ask them what's their name". I understand your point, but I believe it's a low key insult. Instead, the interviewer should introduce the person to the audience, that's much more professional and is literally within your role as a show presenter. Other than that, really loved your video.

  • @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    @MasonzeroDigitalWorks

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's fair. I mainly say that because when you ask someone to give a basic intro of themselves, they will often include their name. Like, "Hey I'm John, I play bass in this band, and I like skateboarding". That being said, I think I presented everyone in my actual interviews, and then asked them to introduce themselves. I'm glad the rest of the video was helpful!

  • @jonaszimmermann3239
    @jonaszimmermann32396 жыл бұрын

    älllllllee

  • @assaltshaker6746
    @assaltshaker67465 жыл бұрын

    I know this has nothing to do on interviewing musicians, but I'm planning on interviewing a voice actress soon. Thanks for the advice in the video! :)

  • @wvntvwevibenetwork5240
    @wvntvwevibenetwork52406 жыл бұрын

    Great video!