I was recently emailed for some advice about interviews for someone writing a book about music-related stuff. I figured I’d share.

I was wondering if there are some tips you can give me on how to get the best interviews?

Go read ‘Do the Work’ [KINDLE LINK]. In that book Steven Pressfield explains a huge part of every good story needing a beginning, a middle and an end. KNOW where you want the interview to end. KNOW what you’re trying to get. I’m doing a series of interviews for Skull Toaster and I’m finding that if I can get the interview subject to veer towards experiences (a crazy show, a long drive, a romance formed because of a metal album, etc.) that’s where the gold is.

So, know where you want the interview to go. Have an idea, “I really hope this person talks about his involvement with X Y and Z.” With that, ASK about that. Or ask it indirectly. Lead the interview subject. They’re no dummies, they are smart, informed people. Respect that.

DO NOT ask information that you can find on wikipedia. Don’t ask, “how did your band form?” Do your research and learn how the band formed. That information is out there, either on sites like wikipedia, official bios or other interviews. Try bringing it up, though, just to possibly get more details, or another story; ie, “so when so and joined the band from that other band, you were already working on another album.”

From a tech side are there any recording methods you prefer?

I used my iPhone in airplane mode with the voice recorder. Some people use a landline telephone on speakerphone, with a recorder right next to the phone. You can also use an online service to record calls like Call Trunk or some others . I believe you can call from Google Chat now, and record from there as well.

ALWAYS test your systems before you get out there and do this. Interview a few close friends. Make sure you know how to use your equipment. Fidgeting with your stuff in front of a “real” interview subject is not something you want to do. Same with the online stuff - know exactly how it works before dialing them. They still make tape voice recorders, but digital is pretty cheap these days. I know a lot of writers who use iPhones or iPods with a mic, though. Easy to move those files around, too.

Do you write out all your questions beforehand or just wing it?

I use notes, and sometimes write down a few questions (like one day I did three interviews in one day, all around Brooklyn.. my mind was jelly). I’ll write down questions, but I don’t read them aloud to the interview subject. Try to avoid that at all costs.

And the best way to ask for an interview without being a jerk?

You should 100% follow music biz protocol: shoot an email to the bands publicist and ask if you can interview them for your project. Publicists are paid to get their CURRENT bands mentioned about their CURRENT projects, and they’re paid to get their artists into magazines and books, etc., so don’t be surprised if they turn you down for your small music blog or the project you’re just starting.

ALSO: I’d suggest setting up a blog for your project. When you explain it to someone in an email or online, and giving them a link, it lets the person check it out for themselves, at their pace. Even if it’s just a one page “this is what we’re doing,” it’s something. Do it on Tumblr for free (buy a domain name for $12/yr), or host it somewhere (I use Bluehost for Skull Toaster). Also, a blog lets you capture an audience: if you can finish your book and then announce to your 2000 daily readers on your blog that it’s for sale, that will be a huge asset - one that you wish you had when you started.

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