Audience Feedback

Considering that only about 5 people took part in every of my polls posted on the blog, the audience's feedback is a bit limited. Firstly, about 80% of the polled people think that the title of my magazine connotes "A music magazine for "serious" music lovers", which is actually the aim I have wanted to achieve with my magazine. What is more the rest 20% is spread all over three next answers, as the magazine might have appeared differently to everyone. The second poll asked which music genres my magazine connotes. The majority answered that it was indie and rock music; however there were two individual answers for soul and pop. Rock and Indie were my priority music genres; however I’ve wanted my magazine to seem more diverse. I believe if only more people had answered the polls, I would have got some more voices for pop and soul. The third poll was about the layout and what it communicates. Here the voices spread mainly between the first and second answer, which were “A fast moving, latest news magazine” and “A magazine that is designed for female audience”. I believe that my magazine might have appeared like it is addressed to woman, because of the bright, purple colour, which I have actually used as a motif, placing it all over the magazine. There was only one voice for “The professional music magazine for ‘serious’ music lovers” and that was my main idea for the magazine, as I tried to follow the conventions of ‘Q’. The next question asked whether the price of my magazine is appropriate to its appeal, and everyone answered yes. The last question asked – “would you buy ma magazine”, the majority answered yes. 

Evaluation of my music mag

• In what ways does your Media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My music magazine includes all the needed forms of real media products; e.g. a masthead, headlines, sub headlines etc. My front page features a masthead, main headline, a sub headline, issue number, a bar code with a price, an additional plug which says the bands which feature the issue and a link to the magazine’s website. The masthead challenges the convention which states that it should be in the biggest font size out of all the text, as my is smaller than the main headline. However some magazines, for examples NME, do that in order to draw people’s attention to the particular band or artist. My masthead also follow the convention of ‘Mojo’ and ‘Kerrang’, in which mastheads are spread through the whole width of the cover. The limited colour scheme which I used in my front cover, as well as in the whole magazine, follows the convention of “Q”. My contents page consists of conventional features, such as the masthead ( in a changed form to make it look more interesting), three edited, original photographs, page numbers with the articles which occur on them. I have divided my contents into special features and regulars, as it is w conventional way. My special features headlines contain also small descriptions underneath them. The double page spread is constructed also in a conventional way, as the photograph takes ¾ of the whole space, and it’s the focal point of this page. It features a headline, a sub headline and a strap line, which are conventional.

• How does your Media product represent particular social groups?
The social group presented within my magazine, contains of young males and females, which are related to the music industry; it includes solo artists a much as various bands. They all have been represented through the use of original photographs, which have been taken by myself and then edited. All the featured people appear as being happy and relaxed, as I believe it would appeal to the target audience. Also the way they are dressed connotes that they may be related to this particular social group and music genre. The way the photographs are constructed is very energetic; it adds the feeling that the people featuring them, have got busy and interesting lives.

• What kind of Media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I believe that the most suitable publisher which might distribute my magazine would be similar to ‘Bauer Media’ – the publisher of ‘Q’ magazine. I think my magazine has got this professional appearance, which accompanies several publications from ‘Bauer Media’. Also the style of writing used in my magazine and the music genres within it would appeal to the well established audience of Bauer Media. Furthermore I like the fact that ‘Q’ has got several media platforms: radio, television etc. I think it is something which I could possibly consider in the future development of my magazine.

• Who would be the audience for your Media product?
The audience for my product would be people from 16 to 30+. I believe I might reach the adult audience from the high economical model, as much as well as student, young adults and teenagers. My magazine would be addressed to peoples who have got already established tastes within the indie and indie rock music, however they are open minded to unconventional ideas; as I think indie music may adopts various genres. However my magazine would mainly follow the mainstream trends within my chosen genres.

• How did you attract/address your audience?
I did attract my audience in several ways, e.g. the professional and at the same time clear look of my magazine might attract people from the higher economical model. Furthermore, the magazine has got also a bit of indie look, which is actually addressed to my target audience. Another thing which could attract and at the same time address my audience is the main article. It addresses the people who are interested in rock music, as the artist featuring this article used to be in a rock band; it also addresses the people who are interested in pop and soul music, as this artist has released her new album within those genres. Another thing which could attract my audience is the use of bold colour on my front cover. Also the moderate price of my magazine might attract students.

• What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
From the process of constructing my music magazine, I’ve learnt a lot about the technologies, which I was using. For example, I am now much more skilled in using Publisher and Photoshop; I know also how to combine those two programs, in order to get the best results ( how to use the advantages of one to overcome the disadvantages of the other) Furthermore, I have become very much aware, how important is the quality of the pictures used within the new music magazines. I have also learnt how to put the magazine’s conventions into the real product.

• Looking back at the preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
While progressing within my studies, I believe that I have become much more aware of the conventions used in different sorts of magazines, especially the new music magazines. I have learnt how to put those into the real product. Furthermore, I have become aware of how essential is the representation within the new music magazine; how it can attract and address the audience; influence the whole ideology and appeal of the magazine. I have also learnt, how the music magazine industry works in itself.

Final Designs

The main article

Back from the death and hungry for success

Anna Steina reveals all the truth about her unexpected split with The Wombats and tells us the story of how she managed to disappear for a whole year from all existing medias, and then come back with an absolutely great and new solo album.

Nothing appeared like there was something bad going on within The Wombats. Always smiled and witty, at day Anna was playing bass guitar and singing backing vocals in the band; at night she was occasionally performing her rock ballads in some independent night clubs in Liverpool. From time to time the lads came to see her performances and afterwards they were all partying together. The Wombats began their phenomenal career in 2002; however Anna, Matthew, Daniel and Tord met in 2000 at the Liverpool Institute for Arts. Over these five years they released two top-selling albums and toured around the UK, Europe and even Japan. It is not like our editorial staff is still in mourning after Anna has left the boys; however we cannot stop asking ourselves WHY? It’s Monday, the day after the premier of Anna’s new album, Anna and I are in a cosy coffee shop in London’s Soho. “There is not much to explain why? I just felt trapped, after five years of ongoing touring and recording I needed a break.” And as she said, she did. Nevertheless, braking up with them for ever, wasn’t it a bit too much? “I’ve never said it was for ever, I am too much attached to guys to just leave them. I know I won’t come back to the band, as a full time member, however we’ve still got few gigs on mind. For now I don’t want to do anything with rock by myself, I am completely focused on my soul and jazz experiments” It seems like these experiments worked out. While we were talking in the coffee shop, about ten people came up and asked for Anna’s autographs; three from them already had bought her CD. However lets come back to this whole ‘being trapped’ issue. On 30 December 2007, she set out to spend her New Year’s Eve in New York. It was already after she spoke with the guys and then they all agreed that they would reveal her decision in two weeks; after she comes back from New York. At that time, she didn’t know by herself that she would stay there for a little bit longer. “In New York I was spending my time with a good friend of mine, Mark Ferguson. We have known each other since we were kids. He never thought I would become a rock star, and I never thought that he would ever be a serious professor with a degree from Oxford; it was supposed be the other way around. Anyway, when I was trying to extract as much good as I could from my trip, one day Mark took me to a gospel workshop in The New York’s City Hall. I think it was the most amazing experience in my life. At first I was a bit shy, however Mark was well known there and after few minutes of my struggle, one of the teachers, took me aside and told me to show her what I’ve got!! I was petrified, my voice was nothing comparing to the rest of those great kids, who were there. “ As it turned out later, the woman who has challenged Anna; was Jean Terrell – the former singer of The Supremes, who now is teaching stars such as Joss Stone or Beyonce. She said that Anna’s got really good voice and that she should come for the next workshop. Anna by herself didn’t know that she’s got such a strong voice, so she attended the next workshop and the next three ones. It was nearly the time, when she was supposed be coming back to Liverpool and face the reality. However the day before her flight Mark asked her, if she would like to accompany him in the next workshops, which were going to take place all over the States. He said that he just simply forgot to tell her that he was doing a research on them, and that he would travel with the teachers and attend every session. “I honestly thought I would kill him for such teasing me!!” She quickly made up a decision and called the guys back in Liverpool. Apparently they weren’t very happy that they had to tell the public about her break-up by themselves; especially after she had asked them not to tell the media in Britain, where she was at that moment “They have done a really good job by not saying a word about my position. Even my friends did not say anything” Ok, that was only the three months, but what about the rest of your time spent in the States. “The rest is about my record deal, but it is a longer story than this one. I will only say what I have told Robert Marwick from the Blue Note Records, when he asked, if I would like to record a new album: I’ve grown up from being a rock’n’roll queen...which doesn’t mean I’d stopped being crazy.” Of course the answer was YES!!!

Drafts of the double page spread

Drafts of the contents page

Drafts of the front page

Possible Mastheads

Drafts of the contents page and the double page spread

Draft of the front cover

Basics

Choosing name for my music magazine
In this post I will set up the essential basics for my music magazine; I will put and consider some possible names for it, and then come up with a rough cover price. I will also need to think how often my magazine will be released. As I have written down before, I am going to base it upon indie, rock and pop music. My magazine will follow mainstream ideology, and for example I will include there news and gossips about controversial musicians.
Considering all the mentioned aspects of my music magazine, the name for it should be sharp, (one word would be the best, maximum two words), as it would be easy to remember; it should also draw people’s attention and reflect the idea behind the magazine.

X-Ray – as to x-ray the music, showing all the truth about music stars and music industry, giving good and objective reviews on artists and their music. I think this name would fit perfectly for a music magazine, I also think that the letter ‘X’ has got this excitement and mystery, which could draw people’s interest to it.
SPECTRUM – I believe this name would make my magazine seem being professional in its music genres, for examples by giving large spectrum of reviews. However this name may sound too seriously and it could be also confused with political publications.
MUSIC ROLL – Roll connotes on-going movement, it would give a feeling that the magazine is up to date with current events and it is mobile. It could also be connote with a bread roll, as the magazine’s contents is like a roll’s filling – various and satiated at the same time :P
EXPOSED – It would seem as the magazine focuses on showing the true face of music industry and people within it.
JUICED – It connotes the magazine will focus upon music stars. I also think that there is a sort of excitement behind this name and it just sounds nice.

After analysing all the possible names, I have decided to call my magazine “X-RAY the music”, as I believe it would grab attention of my target audience. I also think that the name would fit into to the mainstream market.

A rough cover price for my magazine and how often my magazine will be released
I am more likely to create something similar to “Q”, and that is why I would like my magazine to be monthly released. A rough cover price will be £2.50. I believe it would be possible to do, as my magazine will have smaller coverage than “Q” has. (“Q” costs £3.90) This price would affordable to a wide audience. What I would like to gain especially by having this moderate price is to attract teenager from the younger profile, which is from 14 to 15 years old. At this age, teenager start to develop individual music tastes, and I believe my magazine could be one of these good things, which would guide them into the world of indie and rock music.

Quality of printing
Following the convention of most of the music magazines, I will print my magazine on a glossy paper and create it in a tabloid size.

Original Photos - part two

FRONT PAGE

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

This is the picture I would like to use for a double page spread. I have already put there a white space for the article's text to check if it is going to work out.

Original Photos

LIIAR for my music magazine

Establishing music genre within my magazine

Key fetures of indie, indie rock and rock music.

The music genres which I would like to focus upon my magazine are indie, rock, and a mix of pop and soul.

What are the key features of these genres?
The main cultural elements of rock and indie rock genres are white male artists; bands usually consist of four members. The characteristic elements of their appeal are: medium long hair, casual and vintage clothes: skinny jeans, cardigans, usually predominance of dark colours. Indie and rock musicians try to appear as they are strong and at the same time free individuals. Some of them promote rebellious look.
Indie music may adopt different music styles, (which step over rock) as it includes underground music. However underground music can also appeal trough vintage clothes (look at the posted examples) I believe that we may call the appearance of indie and rock musicians by the term - ‘casual sophistication’.
The main musical elements of indie, indie rock and rock music are classic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, drums and keyboards.

What magazines, are currently in publication, cover these genres?
The magazine which cover these genres are NME, Q and RollingStone.

What features do they have in their magazines and how do these features tie in with their target audience’s expectations of representation?
To analyse the features within those magazine I will use previously posted examples of double page spreads from NME and Q. NME’s feature presents The XX; it is an indie, dub and electronic band. On the photograph we see four members of the band: three males and one female. They are all dressed in black clothes. The setting around them is some kind of an urban located playground; in the background we can see a metal fence, on which there are two overlaid letters X; I don’t know how they were made, however I know it is surely a part of the original photo . The group members look natural, as this is their every day environment. The thing which drew my attention is the metal chest on which they sit (the sort of a chest used to transport musical installation and instruments); It seems like they are after some performance.
Q’s feature presents The Gaslight Anthem; it is an American punk/rock band. The band consists of four male members; they all wear casual clothes: jeans, trainers. As well as on the NME’s feature, they are showed standing against metal fence. The photo looks less natural than NME’s one, as they all look into the camera and it seems like that the places where they are standing, were deliberately planned by the photographer. Nevertheless, the musicians still look pretty confident and relaxed.
The symbol which occurs on both features is the letter X; it is not surprising with The XX, however the double page spread with the Gaslight Anthem also uses this symbol. Apparently letter X connotes this rebelliousness and individuality, which accompany indie music. (look at the examples – CD cover “This is indie rock – the best bands you’ve never heard”)
I believe that these features tie in with their target audience’s expectations, as it is something what indie and rock music fans would expect from it; casual look of the artists, uncommon environment of the photos, as they connote indie music. The target audience for indie and rock music must feel that this representation is accessible for them, they don’t want to only listen to music, but they want to take part in it; going to gigs, attending festivals, being up to date with their favourite bands.

LIIAR

Language - For my front cover I will use a photograph showing a female vocalist (as she is going to be a subject of my main article) I've taken already many different photos of her, some present her with a guitar, and some show her alone. On the front cover I may use both options; however the convention is that the artists or bands are showed on the front covers without any musical instrument, as the focus comes upon the same artists, who are interesting individuals, and it is unnecessary to connote magazine's type by placing musical instruments on its front cover. I will experiment while creating the front cover; I would like to try creating two different covers; one which would follow the NME's approaches and another one, which would follow the approaches of 'Q'. I personally prefer 'Q' design, as it is much clearer and at the same time more 'classy' than NME's design is. Also the contents pages of 'Q' appeal better to me, that NME ones do. The next thing which I will need to consider is the text within my front cover. Following the conventions of NME and Q, I will place my masthead in the right-upper corner. For my main headline I will use a san-serif and bold type of font, as I want to draw people's attention to the main story. The colours used in my front cover will be limited, as I want to give a professional appearance.

Institution - A type of publisher which would be similar to NME's or 'Q''s publishers, as my magazine would be addressed to the mainstream audience; I would need a 'big' and well established publishing company, if want it to succeed.

Ideology - Following the conventions of every music magazine, my publication would inform its audience about the recent happenings within the new music world, and at the same time it would try to entertain its readers. I am more likely to take 'Q' approaches, as Q follows the mainstream and includes in its coverage more established bands and artists (emphasising that my main article is going to include a story about an artist already well known to the public).

Audience - I would like to address my magazine to the people from 16 - 30+ I believe that they would be a people with already established music tastes, as my magazine is going to follow the mainstream

Representation - To represent rock and indie music, I have got a range of photos showing musicians with electric guitars. I have got also some photos taken at a gig, it would represent that my magazine is also into the "live" music. For my front cover I have got photos of the female artist; I believe they follow the conventions as she is showed as an interesting individual.

For my double page spread, I've got photos which follow the conventions of double page spreads from 'Q' and NME.