Tuesday 28 January 2014
Monday 27 January 2014
Questionnaire
These are the questions that I asked people about my media products.
1) Does my front cover relate to the Indie genre?
2) Does my contents page relate to the Indie genre?
3) Does my double page spread relate to the Indie genre?
4) Does the colour scheme remain constant?
5) Would you buy this magazine?
6) Is the story interesting on the double page spread?
7) Does the front cover look like a real music magazine front cover?
8) Is the contents page clear to read?
9) Does the double page spread look like it is from a real music magazine?
1) Does my front cover relate to the Indie genre?
2) Does my contents page relate to the Indie genre?
3) Does my double page spread relate to the Indie genre?
4) Does the colour scheme remain constant?
5) Would you buy this magazine?
6) Is the story interesting on the double page spread?
7) Does the front cover look like a real music magazine front cover?
8) Is the contents page clear to read?
9) Does the double page spread look like it is from a real music magazine?
Sunday 12 January 2014
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Analysis of front covers
NME magazine front cover.
This magazine cover mainly conforms to the codes and conventions of the Indie genre. The masthead on this magazine is the magazines own recognisable font. It is bigger than all of the other writing on this page. This is so it stands out. The masthead is a recognisable font so that the reader can easily identify it. The masthead is slightly covered by the main image and a puff in the top left hand corner. This is typical for a well known magazine because the readers know what it looks like and they can distinguish it.
The other stories shown on a magazine front cover usually run down the sides of the magazine page however this magazine deviates from this code. On this magazine front cover a smaller story is shown in a white circle next to the main image at the side of the page. Names of bands that will also be featured in this issue of NME are shown in a strip at the bottom of the page. This strip is shown next to the word ‘Plus!’. This exclamatory is an example of a buzz word that is used to show the readers that this magazine has more to offer than all of the rest. The band names that are shown are only well known band names and feature articles. This is for the reason that many people are more interested in a story if it is more likely to be a band or artist that they like.
On every magazine there is a main image. Music magazines tend to have a main image of a band or artist more often than not, if they do not it is likely that the main image will be an image of an instrument. The most well known music magazines have images of a famous band or artist as they want the reader to find an article about someone they like. The main image on this magazine front cover shows the reader what the main article in this particular issue is about. The main coverline of this magazine is in an outsized font than the other stories that are being published in the magazine. The main coverline is directly under the main image which clearly shows that the two codes and conventions match and are meant to be there. There is a quote taken from the article about this band and it is situated directly underneath the main coverline. It makes the reader want to buy this magazine to read this particular story. The quote taken from the story is used for fans of the band to be drawn in. They could see this and be interested in it and will buy the magazine.
This magazine cover mainly conforms to the codes and conventions of the Indie genre. The masthead on this magazine is the magazines own recognisable font. It is bigger than all of the other writing on this page. This is so it stands out. The masthead is a recognisable font so that the reader can easily identify it. The masthead is slightly covered by the main image and a puff in the top left hand corner. This is typical for a well known magazine because the readers know what it looks like and they can distinguish it.
The other stories shown on a magazine front cover usually run down the sides of the magazine page however this magazine deviates from this code. On this magazine front cover a smaller story is shown in a white circle next to the main image at the side of the page. Names of bands that will also be featured in this issue of NME are shown in a strip at the bottom of the page. This strip is shown next to the word ‘Plus!’. This exclamatory is an example of a buzz word that is used to show the readers that this magazine has more to offer than all of the rest. The band names that are shown are only well known band names and feature articles. This is for the reason that many people are more interested in a story if it is more likely to be a band or artist that they like.
On every magazine there is a main image. Music magazines tend to have a main image of a band or artist more often than not, if they do not it is likely that the main image will be an image of an instrument. The most well known music magazines have images of a famous band or artist as they want the reader to find an article about someone they like. The main image on this magazine front cover shows the reader what the main article in this particular issue is about. The main coverline of this magazine is in an outsized font than the other stories that are being published in the magazine. The main coverline is directly under the main image which clearly shows that the two codes and conventions match and are meant to be there. There is a quote taken from the article about this band and it is situated directly underneath the main coverline. It makes the reader want to buy this magazine to read this particular story. The quote taken from the story is used for fans of the band to be drawn in. They could see this and be interested in it and will buy the magazine.
Sunday 5 January 2014
Double page spread article
Does the name Adam Davies ring a bell to you? Yes, of course it does! No? Well let us refresh your memory.
Adam Davies is a singer/songwriter that moved to Liverpool from London a few years ago. He started a music career in Liverpool and tried to get his big break into the music industry. However after his first 'battle of the bands' competition, he unfortunately lost and gave up making music. Now he is back and better than ever. Adam Davies has told us that he is not backing down ad giving up the chance to do what he has always dreamed and he is certainly not giving it away to anyone like he did before.
Adam Davies plays 5 instruments. Or is it 3? Or 4? Adam says he is counting the electric and acoustic guitar as two seperate instruments. He also plays the piano and occasionally the drums. 'Oh wait does voice count, can I say I play my voice?'. We counted this as 5 instruments altogether.
The Indie genre has appealed to Adam from a young age. Influenced by his and his fathers favourite band Oasis, Adam decided that this was exactly what he wanted to do. His motto being 'If you don't enjoy it, why are you doing it!' makes perfect sense to us. Although he warned us to take into consideration that he only means this when he is talking about music.
Being the nosey people we are we decided to go out and find Adams friends to see if they could give us a little bit of gossip about his career. We found out that Adam Davies had an interesting (embarrasing) stage name. We jumped at the chance to ask him about this stage name and he confirmed that we could reveal that it was... Adam Spider! We can hear you saying 'what? That makes no sense!' well... we know. We didn't get it either. We asked him what it meant and he told us that it was a play on the famous Adam Ant. He thought that his stage name should be something witty and that changing Ant to another type of insect was the right thing to do. Unfortunately for Adam not many people understood this stage name so he had to give that up aswell. 'I would never go by that name again', we now understand that he is truely embarrassed by this stage name and would appreciate it if everyone forgot about it and didn't mention it when he is performing. We would appreciate it if the odd person would occasionally mention it to him so he never forgets the shame it brought him.
We found that many people, no matter what genre of music they like, find the work of rapper Eminem incredible. In fact we have never met anyone that doesn't like the rapper Eminem. Until today. Adam Davies says he respects the artists work but he prefers to listen music with a more steady melody and something that flows easily. He agrees that what Eminem can do is impressive however the words of songs mean a lot and actually hearing them would help.
While Adam does not write songs for people he prefers to be somewhere he is most comfortable to write his songs... his bed! Well aren't we all most comfortable in our beds. He says he always writes his songs there and in a specific order to! He makes the music first and then adds lyrics by counting out the beats in the chords on his guitar. Well this definitely works. He mentioned that his songs are always about a subject that influences him rather tha someone he has been crushing on. The lyrics of his songs don't directly address the issues that he feels strongly about but they do scratch the surface meaning you can take the song however you like and relate it to what you feel it is about.
You may see Adam Davies appearing in a band in the future but for the forseeable future he is staying single. No ladies not that type of single but a solo artist. Having people arround you in a band would be comfortable and according to Adam it would make the hard decisions a bit easier. However Adam thinks that being a solo artist will give him more recognition and he won't have to share the spot light. However maybe being a band would stop the nervous waiting backstage. Adam Davies says he does get nervous backstage no matter how many times he has performed. I wonder if being in a band would make the hard weight of being nervous off his shoulders and will make it a little bit easier.
Adam Davies did not do well when he frst started his career, he said that once he had given up he thought that was the end of it. He convinced himself that he wasn't cut out for music and that because he had tried his best and failed he couldn't improve. Well now he is back after some thinking and realising that giving up on his dream and what feels right was not the best decision. Adam Davies is having a comeback concert! YES! We know, we know... you are all so excited. The comeback concert is on the 23rd of March but we don't where or what time. I know it all sounds odd now but one week before the concert, posters will be out all over Liverpool telling you the venue and the time to be there. It will also be posted online so keep checking our website to find out. Adam Davies has been rehearsing everyday to perform to you all and is excited to be back with a slightly new sound! (By new sound we mean a few more electric guitar solos) So remember to check our website to find out when and where Adam Davies' comeback concert will be.
Adam Davies is a singer/songwriter that moved to Liverpool from London a few years ago. He started a music career in Liverpool and tried to get his big break into the music industry. However after his first 'battle of the bands' competition, he unfortunately lost and gave up making music. Now he is back and better than ever. Adam Davies has told us that he is not backing down ad giving up the chance to do what he has always dreamed and he is certainly not giving it away to anyone like he did before.
Adam Davies plays 5 instruments. Or is it 3? Or 4? Adam says he is counting the electric and acoustic guitar as two seperate instruments. He also plays the piano and occasionally the drums. 'Oh wait does voice count, can I say I play my voice?'. We counted this as 5 instruments altogether.
The Indie genre has appealed to Adam from a young age. Influenced by his and his fathers favourite band Oasis, Adam decided that this was exactly what he wanted to do. His motto being 'If you don't enjoy it, why are you doing it!' makes perfect sense to us. Although he warned us to take into consideration that he only means this when he is talking about music.
Being the nosey people we are we decided to go out and find Adams friends to see if they could give us a little bit of gossip about his career. We found out that Adam Davies had an interesting (embarrasing) stage name. We jumped at the chance to ask him about this stage name and he confirmed that we could reveal that it was... Adam Spider! We can hear you saying 'what? That makes no sense!' well... we know. We didn't get it either. We asked him what it meant and he told us that it was a play on the famous Adam Ant. He thought that his stage name should be something witty and that changing Ant to another type of insect was the right thing to do. Unfortunately for Adam not many people understood this stage name so he had to give that up aswell. 'I would never go by that name again', we now understand that he is truely embarrassed by this stage name and would appreciate it if everyone forgot about it and didn't mention it when he is performing. We would appreciate it if the odd person would occasionally mention it to him so he never forgets the shame it brought him.
We found that many people, no matter what genre of music they like, find the work of rapper Eminem incredible. In fact we have never met anyone that doesn't like the rapper Eminem. Until today. Adam Davies says he respects the artists work but he prefers to listen music with a more steady melody and something that flows easily. He agrees that what Eminem can do is impressive however the words of songs mean a lot and actually hearing them would help.
While Adam does not write songs for people he prefers to be somewhere he is most comfortable to write his songs... his bed! Well aren't we all most comfortable in our beds. He says he always writes his songs there and in a specific order to! He makes the music first and then adds lyrics by counting out the beats in the chords on his guitar. Well this definitely works. He mentioned that his songs are always about a subject that influences him rather tha someone he has been crushing on. The lyrics of his songs don't directly address the issues that he feels strongly about but they do scratch the surface meaning you can take the song however you like and relate it to what you feel it is about.
You may see Adam Davies appearing in a band in the future but for the forseeable future he is staying single. No ladies not that type of single but a solo artist. Having people arround you in a band would be comfortable and according to Adam it would make the hard decisions a bit easier. However Adam thinks that being a solo artist will give him more recognition and he won't have to share the spot light. However maybe being a band would stop the nervous waiting backstage. Adam Davies says he does get nervous backstage no matter how many times he has performed. I wonder if being in a band would make the hard weight of being nervous off his shoulders and will make it a little bit easier.
Adam Davies did not do well when he frst started his career, he said that once he had given up he thought that was the end of it. He convinced himself that he wasn't cut out for music and that because he had tried his best and failed he couldn't improve. Well now he is back after some thinking and realising that giving up on his dream and what feels right was not the best decision. Adam Davies is having a comeback concert! YES! We know, we know... you are all so excited. The comeback concert is on the 23rd of March but we don't where or what time. I know it all sounds odd now but one week before the concert, posters will be out all over Liverpool telling you the venue and the time to be there. It will also be posted online so keep checking our website to find out. Adam Davies has been rehearsing everyday to perform to you all and is excited to be back with a slightly new sound! (By new sound we mean a few more electric guitar solos) So remember to check our website to find out when and where Adam Davies' comeback concert will be.
Interview transcript
Interviewer: Hey Adam, so we know that you play a lot of instruments, how many do you play?
Adam: Well I think I play about 3 but erm... that isn’t including the electric guitar and acoustic guitar as two separate instruments. Er, I...erm I play the piano, the guitar – electric and acoustic, and I can play the drums but not too well. So I guess that would be four all together then. Oh wait does voice count, can I say I play my voice?
Interviewer: We’ll say thats 5 then! How long have you been playing these instruments for?
Adam: Oooh let me think about this one. Oooh er... I think that I have been playing the guitar for about 5 years now. I have been playing the piano since I was quite young. I wouldn’t say I’m er, classically trained but I’m pretty good if I do say so myself.
Interviewer: What made you choose this specific genre of music?
Adam: The Indie genre really sits well with me. Erm... I suppose er, I would have to say that I have grown up with this genre of music surrounding me. It is the type of music that I have always been listening to and it is the type of music that appeals to me the most. I guess that is why anyone chooses a specific genre to sing and perform to. If you don’t enjoy it why are you doing it? [says urgently with a slightly alarmed look on his face] Please take that musically. Don’t go dropping out of school because you don’t enjoy some of your lessons.[shocked] Oh god what have I done![laughs]
Interviewer: Who is your musical inspiration?
Adam: I would have to say my inspiration would be my all time favourite band Oasis. I think I erm... annoy people with how much I go on about Oasis but they are a brilliant band. Timeless. I don’t think anyone likes Oasis as much as I do, the way they use each instrument together is er... well it’s just brilliant really.
Interviewer: We heard you had a stage name when you were first starting out as a new artist. Would you tell us what it was and why you chose it?
Adam: Oh god. Yeah I had a stage name and it was Adam Spider. It sounds so weird I know but it was meant to be a play on Adam Ant. Not many people understood it though. I would never go by that name ever again.
Interviewer: It sounds pretty shameful but anyway we heard from your good friend Kallum and he said you aren't fond of the rapper Eminem, why?
Adam: Well, er... I would never say I hate someone but I really don’t like Eminem. His raps have no melody to them. I think it is ridiculous. Erm... I get told that I don’t like him because everyone else does and I always have to be different but I just don’t like the way that his music doesn’t flow. Er... I agree that it is impressive what he can do but the songs he does don’t particularly. I would like to hear the words to a song because lyrics really can mean an awful lot to someone.
Interviewer:Who do you write your songs for?
Adam: I don't really have anyone particular, if there is someone it might just be a little crush I have had but I would really rather not go into all of that.
Interviewer: Where do you find it best to write your songs?
Adam: I really like to write my songs as I am sitting on my bed with my guitar. It is where I most comfortable. I start off by erm... playing random chords and seeing what I like the best and then I go through each lines of chords to count how many syllables I have in each line. Then I can work on lyrics by making a song about what influences me. The lyrics of course are never really direct or specifically mention people but there are er... definitely er... hints of whatever has influenced and inspired me.
Interviewer: Do you prefer being a solo artist or would you like to join a band at some
point?
Adam: I love being a solo artist for now but on stage in a band would be brilliant. There is always stories about how comfortable people are in a band and sometimes it makes the hard decisions a little bit easier. Erm... I think that I would like to be i a group where I can be really comfortable around a lot of people and share an amazing experience. For now though er... I think that being a solo artist I can get a little bit more recognition[laughs].
Interviewer: How many times have you performed live?
Adam: I have performed too many times to count now, mainly in my earlier career but I'm ready for the increasing amount of gigs and chances to perform in front of people that like and appreciate my music.
Interviewer: Do you get nervous when you are about to perform?
Adam: Erm... definitely! I think no matter how many times you do things like that you will always be even slightly nervous.
Interviewer: Why did you decide to stop playing gigs?
Adam: Well, er... I just really didn't think I was any good. I thought I had failed and that was it! I thought I tried my best and I still didn't make it. I remember thinking to myself that I'm just not cut out for music.
Interviewer: What is the biggest arena you have performed at?
I have only ever played locally realy. Nowhere big! I suppose I would have to say the cavern club where The Beatles first started out. It was such an honour even to be stood in there! That er... might not er... seem so big but to me it was a true honour.
Interviewer: Are you excited to be back playing your music?
Adam: Yes I am so excited. I feel like it is christmas. I er... honestly feel like a child! It's unbelievable that I thought that I couldn't do it but I am back!
Interviewer: When is the Adam Davies comeback concert?
Adam: My comeback concert is in March. It is a gig that I am headlining at and I have some of friends that are in bands supporting at the concert before I go on. It is er... the 23rd of March. Surprise venue though! The venue will be posted online a week before the gig and will also be printed on posters that will be all around Liverpool. But between us it will probably either be The Picket or The Elevator where the usual gigs are for this genre of music.
Interviewer: How often are you rehearsing for this?
Adam: Ooooh everyday now! I don't rehearse because I have to, I do it because I want to!
Interviewer: Do you have a new sound now that you are back?
Adam: I wouldn't say er... a different sound it is the same genre just with a little bit more electric guitar solos.
Interviewer: Do you have your own support acts in every show now?
Adam: Yes I ask my friends that are in bands to go on stage before I do I think it's nice to hear something you know before you go on stage it makes me feel a bit more comfortable, and then they wait for me backstage afterwards it's just nice to be surrounded by people I know and love.
Adam: Well I think I play about 3 but erm... that isn’t including the electric guitar and acoustic guitar as two separate instruments. Er, I...erm I play the piano, the guitar – electric and acoustic, and I can play the drums but not too well. So I guess that would be four all together then. Oh wait does voice count, can I say I play my voice?
Interviewer: We’ll say thats 5 then! How long have you been playing these instruments for?
Adam: Oooh let me think about this one. Oooh er... I think that I have been playing the guitar for about 5 years now. I have been playing the piano since I was quite young. I wouldn’t say I’m er, classically trained but I’m pretty good if I do say so myself.
Interviewer: What made you choose this specific genre of music?
Adam: The Indie genre really sits well with me. Erm... I suppose er, I would have to say that I have grown up with this genre of music surrounding me. It is the type of music that I have always been listening to and it is the type of music that appeals to me the most. I guess that is why anyone chooses a specific genre to sing and perform to. If you don’t enjoy it why are you doing it? [says urgently with a slightly alarmed look on his face] Please take that musically. Don’t go dropping out of school because you don’t enjoy some of your lessons.[shocked] Oh god what have I done![laughs]
Interviewer: Who is your musical inspiration?
Adam: I would have to say my inspiration would be my all time favourite band Oasis. I think I erm... annoy people with how much I go on about Oasis but they are a brilliant band. Timeless. I don’t think anyone likes Oasis as much as I do, the way they use each instrument together is er... well it’s just brilliant really.
Interviewer: We heard you had a stage name when you were first starting out as a new artist. Would you tell us what it was and why you chose it?
Adam: Oh god. Yeah I had a stage name and it was Adam Spider. It sounds so weird I know but it was meant to be a play on Adam Ant. Not many people understood it though. I would never go by that name ever again.
Interviewer: It sounds pretty shameful but anyway we heard from your good friend Kallum and he said you aren't fond of the rapper Eminem, why?
Adam: Well, er... I would never say I hate someone but I really don’t like Eminem. His raps have no melody to them. I think it is ridiculous. Erm... I get told that I don’t like him because everyone else does and I always have to be different but I just don’t like the way that his music doesn’t flow. Er... I agree that it is impressive what he can do but the songs he does don’t particularly. I would like to hear the words to a song because lyrics really can mean an awful lot to someone.
Interviewer:Who do you write your songs for?
Adam: I don't really have anyone particular, if there is someone it might just be a little crush I have had but I would really rather not go into all of that.
Interviewer: Where do you find it best to write your songs?
Adam: I really like to write my songs as I am sitting on my bed with my guitar. It is where I most comfortable. I start off by erm... playing random chords and seeing what I like the best and then I go through each lines of chords to count how many syllables I have in each line. Then I can work on lyrics by making a song about what influences me. The lyrics of course are never really direct or specifically mention people but there are er... definitely er... hints of whatever has influenced and inspired me.
Interviewer: Do you prefer being a solo artist or would you like to join a band at some
point?
Adam: I love being a solo artist for now but on stage in a band would be brilliant. There is always stories about how comfortable people are in a band and sometimes it makes the hard decisions a little bit easier. Erm... I think that I would like to be i a group where I can be really comfortable around a lot of people and share an amazing experience. For now though er... I think that being a solo artist I can get a little bit more recognition[laughs].
Interviewer: How many times have you performed live?
Adam: I have performed too many times to count now, mainly in my earlier career but I'm ready for the increasing amount of gigs and chances to perform in front of people that like and appreciate my music.
Interviewer: Do you get nervous when you are about to perform?
Adam: Erm... definitely! I think no matter how many times you do things like that you will always be even slightly nervous.
Interviewer: Why did you decide to stop playing gigs?
Adam: Well, er... I just really didn't think I was any good. I thought I had failed and that was it! I thought I tried my best and I still didn't make it. I remember thinking to myself that I'm just not cut out for music.
Interviewer: What is the biggest arena you have performed at?
I have only ever played locally realy. Nowhere big! I suppose I would have to say the cavern club where The Beatles first started out. It was such an honour even to be stood in there! That er... might not er... seem so big but to me it was a true honour.
Interviewer: Are you excited to be back playing your music?
Adam: Yes I am so excited. I feel like it is christmas. I er... honestly feel like a child! It's unbelievable that I thought that I couldn't do it but I am back!
Interviewer: When is the Adam Davies comeback concert?
Adam: My comeback concert is in March. It is a gig that I am headlining at and I have some of friends that are in bands supporting at the concert before I go on. It is er... the 23rd of March. Surprise venue though! The venue will be posted online a week before the gig and will also be printed on posters that will be all around Liverpool. But between us it will probably either be The Picket or The Elevator where the usual gigs are for this genre of music.
Interviewer: How often are you rehearsing for this?
Adam: Ooooh everyday now! I don't rehearse because I have to, I do it because I want to!
Interviewer: Do you have a new sound now that you are back?
Adam: I wouldn't say er... a different sound it is the same genre just with a little bit more electric guitar solos.
Interviewer: Do you have your own support acts in every show now?
Adam: Yes I ask my friends that are in bands to go on stage before I do I think it's nice to hear something you know before you go on stage it makes me feel a bit more comfortable, and then they wait for me backstage afterwards it's just nice to be surrounded by people I know and love.
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