LO1: Draft Articles

Double Page Spread - Laser Drum Kit Draft Article

The article for my double page spread will be an interview based on how / why my brother first came up with his idea for his laser drum kit, how it grew and how he started taking it to different events around the country. It will also focus on what he wants to do with it in the future.

Interview questions:

• First of all, what exactly does your laser drum kit do and how does it work?
• How did you first come up with the idea for a laser drum kit?
• Originally, what was your plan for it once you had built it?
• Has that changed at all since?
• What was the most challenging thing about building it?
• You now go to events around the country showing your laser drum kit and playing it live at gigs. How did it start to gain interest from the public?
• What is your full-time job aside from this laser drum kit project?
• In the future, could you see that changing to involve your laser drum kit?
• How do you see music technology evolving over the next few years?
• When and where are your next live performances?

I think this interview article will appeal to my target audience of males aged 20-40 who are into music technology and dance music, because the interview should hopefully connote my brother’s passion for music and what he has made. The readers will be able to relate to this feeling as they have similar interests, making the article appealing.

DRAFT ARTICLE - SHIRTY’S SPIRIT

In a world in which music technology is developing quickly and becoming increasingly relevant to live performances, it’s getting harder to be innovative - especially in the dance scene. Josh Shirt, otherwise known as “Shirty”, has defied that trend and created something new and intriguing - a laser drum kit. Essentially, music is created entirely kinetically, by moving your arms and hands to break laser beams. It’s an exciting project which is just getting off the ground, with the drum kit, in recent months, being displayed in venues such as the London Science Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

A lover of homemade gadgets and making things from scratch, Shirty’s aim for over a decade has been to become a skilled music producer and to invent new ways to create music and DJ - he is a firm believer in Picasso’s saying, “I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” He’s had a strong interest in both music and technology throughout his life, meaning he’s ideal for giving dance music a real freshen-up in the way it is played live - his laser drum kit certainly makes a gig a whole lot more interactive. His whole set-up now for playing live seems unique, exciting and finely-tuned. We took a trip to Brighton to visit Shirty and ask him all about it…

Double Page Spread - Young Music Producer Draft Article

The article will be about a 18 year old music producer who is already starting to get some gigs in small venues and looks like he will become popular within this niche scene. He makes dance music using Ableton Live.

Interview questions:

• To be getting such a lot of interest from the dance scene at such a young age must feel really good. How are you dealing with it?
• At what age did you become interested in music production?
• When did you first get signed to your record label?
• Where did you learn the skills that you obviously have?
• Is fame something that excites you or are you wary of it?
• How does it feel when you step out to play whenever you have a gig?
• Who do you look up to and take inspiration from as a music producer?
• When and where are your next live performances?

I think this double page spread article will appeal to the target audience of males aged 20-40 with an interest in music technology and dance music because a lot of the readers would have dreams of becoming music producers like the young man in the article, so they would be interested to see what it’s really like to start being recognised so young and how he managed to do it.

DRAFT ARTICLE - GETTING SET

The hottest prospect on the dance scene at the moment is 18-year-old Liam Boarder, who’s more commonly known as “” when he’s doing gigs. Recently, he’s been setting the clubs alight armed with only a laptop, a synthesiser and some serious music production skills. It’s been his passion for most of his life, and as we interviewed him, we sensed a real drive and determination that most likely got him on the road he’s on now. And to be playing so regularly at his tender age, he must be doing something right. 

Fresh out of college, Liam’s taking a gap year to really focus on his music career. He tells us that he wants to really give it a push before deciding whether or not to continue with education - unlike the cliché of talented and passionate music makers not really enjoying school, Liam has a keen interest in academia too. But from what we’ve seen and heard, we’d say it’s a no brainer to set off down the music production road! So, to kick off his gap year in style, we decided to interview him and fill ourselves in, as well as you, on this promising youngster. Here’s what happened when we got him into the office to quiz him all about his journey so far…