Interview For Double Spread Page

Interview with Imogen Piper

Following in the footsteps of her idols Kate Bush and Tori Amos, Imogen Piper is tipped to be the star of tomorrow.

Questions:
You have high praise for such musicians as Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Tori Amos, artists that, some would say, are an unusual choice for someone of your generation. When did you first discover these artists and what was it that attracted you to their unique styles?

Annie and Tori came a lot later, in my early teens, but Kate Bush has been with me since the beginning. My parents always played her music around the house and I used to watch a video, a sort of collection of all her music videos and copy her every move. I’d watch it obsessively, truly obsessively- sometimes several times a day. I loved her so much I’d copy her hair from her ‘Hammer Horror’ video for school. It was a little difficult explaining to the other children who she was, but at the same time I sort of knew that they wouldn’t understand her. For them, Britney was ‘music’ and I knew the ripping I would get if I was found out as a traitor to popular music. I think the appeal of Bush was that she didn’t conform and everything she did was dramatic. She had guts. If you watch her videos she pulls the most fantastic range of facial expressions; shows passion for the words she’s singing. And the lyrics themselves are inventive and have significant meaning, something which most modern music lacks.

You play a range of instruments, all of which are featured on your upcoming album (name of album.) I hear you are self taught.

Most of the instruments I play I can only get a few chords out of but that’s been enough to get me by. Bass and guitar are just the instruments that I pick up when a piano’s not available but they don’t really get me excited about music. The piano is my main instrument and my love for it happened sort of by accident. I had a piano teacher, for three years, at the end of which I could not read music or play anything good enough to use as party trick material. And I hated it; I would never practice. It was several years later that I sat at the piano and tried to play it just to pass the time. I only realised it was a hobby when I discovered I was hold up in my room committing several hours a day to it.

So tell us about some of the tracks on your debut album.

I based a lot of them on the Grimm’s fairy tales as I have always been fascinated by the hidden meanings and morals behind them. The song ‘Tell Tale Heart’ is based on the Edgar Allan Poe story of the same name; gothic literature is a great source of inspiration. I mean, Kate Bush wrote a song about the famous gothic novel Wuthering Heights, so I guess that made me realise how well that style of song writing worked.

For you, do lyrics or music come first?

Always the lyrics. If I write the music first I become frustrated when the lyrics don’t fit. Once I have the words, I can be sitting staring at them for hours before anything musical happens. And then you have to think of the melody of the song. My trick is to sing the complete opposite to the way the notes are going ; like, if the notes suddenly drop in key, my voice will go higher. It makes the song less predictable. There’s nothing worse than listening to a song when you know which notes are coming up before you’ve heard them. That happens with a lot of modern lyrics too. You can predict the next line before it happens as the rhyming scheme is so clichéd.

How do you handle the crowds at gigs? Was it nerve wracking the first time you played to a large audience?

I went very suddenly from playing to a few guys in pubs on a Sunday night to performing to a crowd of thousands so it took me a while to find my feet. I thought that it would be worse than it was but I had obtained quite a fan base from my YouTube account and it was these fans that turned up to the gigs so they were very enthusiastic and supportive.

So no bad experiences on stage?

Someone started a fight in the crowd during one of my earlier nightclub performances and that was a bit unnerving. It got out of hand. I really didn’t want that sort of thing happening, you know? As if I didn’t have enough to worry about. My worst nightmare would be falling on stage but as of yet, I’ve managed to leave each performance with my dignity intact. (Laughs) Of course, there’s a first time for everything.

Masthead

I have researched many different fonts and selected four that are inkeeping with the retro theme. I have also decided that the word PsychoDelic will be the full masthead instead of my originally planned 'PD' as it allows the masthead to showcase the retro theme in a more obvious way than just printing the initials. I found the fonts on the website www.dafont.com where I found many retro fonts inkeeping with the style I was trying to achieve. The fourth font is very similar to 'Mojo' magazine so I would be more likely to avoid this as I want to create something original. At the moment I am torn between the second and third font as I think they are the most appropriate. Any feedback would be appreciated.

The word Psychodelic can also be spelt Psychedelic but I chose to spell it the first way as 'psycho' is a more eye catching word and would draw peoples attention because of the dangerous element involved with the word.

Treatment Sheet

The Magazine: PsychoDelic

Target Readership: PD is targeted at young adults (20+) who are either already informed of retro music or are new to the genre. The reader may have a keen interest in all things retro such as clothing style and take preference for retro over modern music. They may enjoy modern music but like features of modern music that are noticeably influenced by older styles. They will be interested in attending concerts and performances but keen to hear reviews before spending money on tickets. They would fall into the C1/C2 socioeconomic group who can afford to spend money on extra things such as magazines and who can also afford to purchase the content advertised within the magazine such as CD’s, tickets and merchandise. They are more likely to be educated so the writing style would need to take this into account. They would have a passion for the music and because of this would be more likely to write in to voice their opinions of the acts they have seen or albums they have bought.

Form and Style: PD (which stands for Psychodelic) is an A4, full colour magazine released monthly which features information about new and old artists along with interviews and reviews of studio albums and live performances. Covers feature an artist dressed in period appropriate clothing depending on the era that the edition is focusing on or the artist’s personal style. The covers features either an older artist (a current picture or one from the past) or a new artist whose style has been influenced by an older, iconic artist. The clothing the new artist wears on the cover could possibly be similar to that of their music role models or they could recreate a pose of a previous famous artist. The magazine aims to inform a fresh audience of retro music and to provide a medium for those who are already fans. The magazine also comes with a free CD featuring tracks that are featured within the magazine so that the reader can understand what is being discussed.

Themes and Typical Features: The magazine will contain many typical features of music magazines with every issue containing interviews and exclusives with bands and musicians along with factual information about the artists. The magazine will make comparisons between older artists and up and coming musicians and showcase the new acts to add variety. This would also attract a younger audience as the music would remain in an older style but be updated for a younger generation. Every month, there will be a list of acts playing around the country and information such as the venue and dates the acts are performing. The music featured would always need to have been influenced by older music and encompass some of the features of older music. The writing style of the magazine will be mature as to fit with the target audience and the language that is used will be familiar to the audience. It will also feature exclusives which would attract an audience as they can not get the information anywhere else. CD’s due for release will be reviewed with a five star system to rate the music and there will also be a ‘if you liked this, then this is recommended’ feature where the reader can find similar artists to the one they enjoyed. A page would be included where readers could send in their opinion of live acts they have seen and rate them.

Potential Advertisers: Music companies could advertise their acts and records on separate pages or distributed through out the magazine on a whole page advertisement. Companies would include EMI, Warner, Universal, Sony and BMG among others. Companies that offer products in keeping with the retro/old fashioned feel could be included such as companies that sell vintage clothing or memorabilia.

Editorial Team: The editorial team for PD would consist of experienced writers who are mixed gender and a variety of age groups. This would add variety to viewpoints on the music featured; older members would have experienced the music when it was first released whilst younger members have discovered the music themselves. The younger writers would help to attract a younger audience as they have a fresh enthusiasm that they can pass on to their age group.

Q Magazine Contents Page Analysis

This contents page is an example of a contents page from the magazine Q. It contains a similar colour scheme to that of the cover (red, white and black) which is a colour scheme that runs through the entire magazine. It has one large, long shot photo which features a band that is interviewed within the magazine, as is captioned with the name of the band and a quote which is there to lure the reader. The list of contents has the main subject of the article in bold and then goes on to expand in small print. This allows the reader to see the main topic of the article and then have more infomation to help them decide whether to turn to it or not. 'Features' and 'Every Month' are surrounded by red which allows the reader to quickly find the content they want to read. The date and issue number is at the top which can also be featured on the front cover. The title of the magazine is also in the top left corner and this acts as a logo which runs throughout the magazine. The main band featured in the magazine is Oasis and there are many articles devoted to the band in this particular issue. I should think about this for my magazine and consider how much space I should put aside for my main artist. The page numbers are clearly shown as they are in bright red, and there is little red on the page. Using one, contrasting colour to highlight the most important infomation is an idea I would like to incorporate.

Double Spread Page Analysis

This double spread page features the band Greenday; half of the page being taken up by a large image of the band who are standing, legs apart in a powerful stance. This makes the band look important and mysterious. The band members are mostly wearing black which makes them look dark and mysterious. The colours of the article are bright and eye catching and the font is simple and easy to read. Using the word ‘kinky’ attracts attention as it is a suggestive word. The article uses a relaxed mode of address although it still uses sophisticated language such as ‘veteran.’ The ‘Back Track’ section gives the reader an extra bit of trivia which would be interesting for them to read. There is also an image of the band's album which is something I have choosen to include in my own magazine. I am undecided as to whether to include it on my double spread page or my contents page. There are several words that are in a different colour to highlight their importance. Words such as 'download' are highlighted which encourages the reader to do as their instruction. The layout of the double page are simple- one page has a full image and the other is mostly taken up by the article. The overlap of the backtrack box breaks up the separation of the text and images. The colour scheme makes the page look faded and a bit old, so I am considering using these colours for my magazine as it would make it look retro, which is the effect I want to achieve.

Double spread analysis

This is a double spread page from the magazine Kerrang

Example cover, contents and double spread

I wanted to post this image as it shows the cover, contents page and double spread of a music magazine (The Fly) and how all the pages interlink. The colour scheme of all pages are the same; black, orange and white, and this is because of the colour of the artists hair and clothes. I would maybe like to do something similar with my magazine, by having the colour scheme the same as the style of the artist featured. I am thinking of having my artist with red hair so I could use red on all areas of the magazine. This would mean that each edition of my magazine would have a different colour scheme, depending on the artist featured. I also like the simplicity of this magazine- with an image covering a whole page and then an article that is only interupted by a strip of colour. The magazine also has a symbol (a fly) and I could use this idea myself, having a logo or symbol that runs through all the pages.

Ideas For Photoshoot

1.)
2.)

I have decided that my magazine will mainly focus on older (retro) music so will most likely target an older teenage audience. I want the images featured to have a classy yet aged look and for the magazines image to be similar to that of Mojo or Q magazine. I have found several images and would like to create something similar. The pictures I take might be taken outside depending on what the featured article is about but I think my cover image will be taken against a blank or coloured wall. If I can not find the colour wall to match the feel of my image I could edit the model over a coloured background. I will have to search for the right outfits as the model will be dressed up quite theatrically and I will have to carefully plan the hair, makeup and props for the images. I have found several pictures which are the sort of thing I would like to produce. I think it is important to have images that have the model looking directly ahead as it helps to connect with the audience. I will find items (records and instruments) to dress the area when the photos will be taken which will make the photos look more authentic and professional. The colour scheme of the photos should be similar throughout so that they are linked and look part of the same photo shoot.

Sample Pictures:

1.) The picture contrast the model's pale skin with the vibrancy of her hair, an effect I'd like to achieve. I may have to digitally edit the colour of model's hair or lighten her skin tone. The model is also looking directly at the camera which helps her connect with the reader. The photo is simple yet effective as there are no extravagant costumes or any noticeably complex photo manipulation or techniques. The background of the photo is blurred out and does not distract from the model.

2.) This photo is in black in white and has been lightened to make the model's face glow, as if she is facing the light. This photo has a vintage look and the headpiece she is wearing shows that the model is from a time that is not our own. The background is simple black and white stripes which has the appearance of vintage wallpaper but is simple enough to not be distracting. The model is looking away from the camera and for my pictures, I think eye contact is important.

3.) This picture, unlike the previous images, is a long shot instead of a mid-close up. This would be ideal for my front cover as the model is not in the centre of the image so there would be space for cover lines and quotes without overlapping the image. There is a good balance of colour as the red is on her head, hands and lips, spreading the colour to the top and middle. The clothing is noticibly vintage and slightly theatrical which makes it interesting to lookt at. The red of her hat and glove draw attention to the model's face which means it is not necessary for it to be a mid-close up. The image has been edited to include light spots and the effect is that the picture looks like an old photograph that has been damaged by light over time. Though there are props in the background, the are white and simple so are not a distraction. I would very much like to produce an image like this, although maybe it would suitable for the main image of my double spread page.

4.) This image would be best suited to the double spread page as the model is facing away from the reader and it is more of a long shot to show the model surrounded by props than to show them as an individual. The props around him are suitably music related; a guitar, records, music posters etc. I could collect several of these objects to dress the set of my own photoshoot. The picture has a yellow tint which makes it look old and vintage. I am unsure about the pose of the model as it doesn't tell us or show us anything about him. I could do something simliar to this but have the model more forward facing.

3.)
4.)

ABC Figures

From these figures we can see that from Jan to June 2009, music magazine sales declined with the exception of Classic Rock and The Fly. This could be due to the current economic climate and recession which would mean people do not have the money to purchase magazines as they did before. The decline could also be due to the rise in the use of the internet, which offers much of the infomation found in music magazines,for free. This means that my music magazine would have to offer something that is 1.) worth the money and 2.) offers something that the readers can't get anywhere else.

Questionaire

1. How much should the magazine cost?
-£1
-£2
-£3
-£4

2. How often should the magazine be released?

-Weekly
-Monthly

3. The magazine should target....

-Boys
-Girls
-Both

4. The magazine should target....


- Teenagers (13-16)
- Young Adults (16-20)
- Adults (20+)

5. What genre of music should the magazine specialise in?

-Pop
-Rock
-Indie
-Older music
-Alternative
-A mix of many

6. What should be offered as a free gift?

-CD
-Poster
-Other gift
-No gift

7.In a magazine, you have preference for....

-Text
-Images
-Equal mix of both

Poll

What would be the most attractive colour scheme?
	Black, White and Gold
	Black, White and Red
	Yellow, Black and White
	Dark Blue, Black and White
	Red and White
	Gold and Black
	Purple and Black
pollcode.com free polls

Kerrang Contents Page Analysis

This is a sample contents page from the magazine Kerrang and it features many images of the bands included in the issue. Having these images helps to explain the contents in a clear, visual way. There is one main image and several smaller ones which means more can fit onto the page. There is an editorial note at the top next to a smaller image of the front cover and this is included on the contents page, though it is often separate. The colour scheme of white, black and yellow is the same colour scheme that runs throughout the magazine, including the cover and this is part of the brand identity. The different sections are clearly highlighted and surrounded by a black box which contrasts with the yellow writing, making the infomation easy to pick out.
There are also images of previous magazine covers at the bottom and an offer of subscription, something I might consider for my magazine. The box discussing the subscription is in red which attracts the eye and highlights its significance. A quote from a famous musician is included at the top and there is a different one each issue, giving the reader something interesting on the first page of every issue. Underneath each image there is a caption and a short explanation of the article. The article is still mentioned in the main contents list but the image at the side provides a visual aid. The background is pale and not distracting from the text- this would also mean the magazine would cost less to produce as it doesn't use a lot of ink to produce the background.

Action Plan

Week 1 - 14th December
First Textual analysis and initial research

Week 2 - 4th January
Internet/magazine research- abc figures/publishers
Questionaire
Textual analysis

Week 3 - 11th January
Research colour and font
Textual analysis

Week 4 - 18th January
Draft layout
Plan photoshoot
Textual analysis

Week 5 - 25th January
Photoshoot
Textual analysis
Mock layout of cover and double page spread

Week 6 - 1st February
Textual analysis
Design

Week 7 - 8th February
Review questionaire feedback and adjust designs accordingly
Design alternative cover

Week 8 - 15th February
Content page design

Week 9 - 1st March
Finalise design

Week 10- 8th March
Evaluation

Kerrang Magazine Cover Analysis

The magazine Kerrang is published by Bauer and targets a young audience who are interested in indie and rock music. The colours are bright and eye catching with a sharp contrast between the black, yellow and white. These are the colours of crime scene tape which adds an element of danger to the magazine and the other colour featured, red, is the colour normally associated with violence. Several of the banners sport terms such as 'Sex, drugs, violence' and 'the worlds most dangerous band.' All of these factors contribute to the magazines overall image of rebellion. Avenged Sevenfold is featured on the cover and this famous band would attract buyers and the lead singer is in the centre and slightly forward, highlighting that he is the most important member. The magazine offers a free poster which would encourage people to buy and the word 'free' is in bold white which makes it stand out. . There is also a large, white 'plus' which shows the reader that there is more inside the magazine, but they have to buy it first to access the content. There are also several other shots which are featured on the front cover which showcase the other bands inside the magazine. The strap line at the top features words like 'Mega' which adds to the excitement of the magazine by making the content sound larger than life. The names of the other bands are also in a font similar to a typewriter which makes it look as though the magazine was put together in a hurry; that it is raw which is a rebellion against the conventions of magazines. This adds to the whole idea of rebellion that the magazine is trying to portray. The coverlines are in red to draw attention to them, although not so much that it distracts from the main feature.

Mojo Magazine Cover Analysis

Mojo magazine is published by Bauer and features older bands rather than the current popular music. It's target audience would be between 25-50 and for those who prefer older music. It offers a sense of nostalgia for the bands of yesteryear but can also feature artists who have a similar style to previous musicians. The word 'Mojo' is a retro word which reflects the content and it is in large, black lettering behind the main image which makes the potential buyer have to take a closer look. The entire magazine has a retro feel to it with the black and white colour scheme and the gold makes the content look as if it is the best, better than anything else and that the music that is featured can not be bested. Three famous artists are on the front with their names beneath the image. This would make the reader want to buy the magazine as the artists are extremely famous in their genre but none of them are making eye contact with the audience; they are all looking off into the distance which makes them seem far away, in the past. The magazine also offers a free music CD featuring music which is discussed in the magazine. This not only acts as an incentive for the reader to buy but also attracts readers who don't know much about that type of music and can listen to what is being discussed without feeling alienated. Mojo could be called a niche product as it caters to those who prefer older or retro music as opposed to modern 'popular' music. There are also photos in colour at the top which shows that the magazine has modern elements to it; the main grey scale photo is still the highest impact image even though it is not the brightest. At the top is a 'Free CD' sign that looks battered and old, adding to the general theme of the magazine. Similarly, the photo featured on the CD cover looks worn with age, in a sepia tone which gives an idea of the music inside.

Q Magazine Cover Analysis

The music magazine Q is a magazine published by Bauer which showcases older bands and original musicians but is targeted at a mature audience rather than adolescents interested in ‘popular’ music. The magazine was originally entitled ‘Cue’ but the name was abbreviated to ‘Q’ to disambiguate from snooker magazines. The cover features AC/DC’s lead guitarists Angus Young who is an easily recognisable figure in the music scene. This would attract potential buyers as they would be interested in reading about this figure; also because his band is older, new interviews with it’s members would be sparse so it would attract fans. The image is a long shot where Angus is not making eye contact with the audience, which is unusual for a magazine as this is usually employed to help connect with the reader. The image of Angus stands in front of the title of the featured article. This makes the potential buyer pay more attention to the front cover as they have to take a closer look to read the text. The pattern of crosses at the bottom is something that is featured on many covers of Q and is part of the brand identity. Sometimes there is one large cross which means ‘plus’ to draw attention to the other articles featured. In this case there are many crosses to show that there is a lot more features than just Angus Young but this means attention is still focused on their main feature. The ‘Q’ masthead is a bright, bold red which greatly contrasts with the grey background. This draws attention to the name of the magazine but also makes the magazine look more sophisticated than if it was all brightly coloured. Underneath the masthead is the tagline ‘A different take on music.’ This tells the buyer that the magazine offers something different or something more than alternative music magazines, which encourages them to buy. This particular edition of Q contains no coverlines to draw in readers but instead relies on how iconic and famous Angus Young is. 'All new look issue' makes the reader think they are buying into an exclusive edition of the magazine; that they have to buy it as it is an event.