John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Christina in Half Moon Bay, California

Hello John,

I have been writingabout music for a long time, which also means I read, hear and watch tons about music. As an observer, it seems to me that so many in the media miss good opportunities to learn more about the art of and the person they are interviewing; mostly because they just don't do their research. Like a great photograph, the right question and an honest answer can tell a lot about a person without compromising their privacy. You have been interviewed a lot and appear to give answers that are honest and not canned, even when the questions are just shallow or without thought - you have the ability to shift a bad question into something intelligent. So for those of us who write about music and get the chance to interview artists, what is it really that we should be asking in order to bring out the best, not put so much burden on the artist, and tell the interesting story?

Christina

WWJDD?

Hey Christina,

  What's increasingly common is that the artist has to come up w/ "a story" to tell.  "Why this record or tour is worth me writing about?"  When there weren't thousands of records every release date, the writers or publicists used to have time to come up w/ the story or at least a direction. Telling the story behind the songs can very easily compromise your private life, especially if you're somewhat confessional songwriter.  Intuition is always the best guide for the interviewee as to how much you want to reveal. Even so, sometimes you can get tricked into saying too much. That's why many musicians & actors can be guarded during the process.
  But to answer yr question more directly; research, experience & general knowledge is obvious w/in the first two minutes.  When there's little or none, it makes yr heart sink the way a bad beginning to a first date can make you look at yr watch w/in the first ten minutes (sigh). If a writer doesn't have the time or interest, my advice is to pass it on to someone who does.  If you need the money, do a little research & PLEASE avoid general questions.  Like any good writing, the more specific, the better.  Find a couple of elements that you can indentify w/ & ask about that.  Find a few lyrics that you like. Suggest some influences that you think you hear.  Pretty obvious stuff really.  But the best ones have all that & turn into a conversation.  Lastly, it's also precarious for the interviewer to talk too much about their experience w/ the band. "Back when I was 14 I saw you guys . . ."  OK I'll stop now.
hope this helps
and as always thanks for writing,
JD
 

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