Questions to Ask a Music Artist
Interview prompts that explore process, influences, business realities, and the heart behind the music.
1What story are you telling on this project?
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What story are you telling on this project?
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Why this works
Centers narrative intent over genre labels.
2What’s your writing workflow from idea to demo?
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What’s your writing workflow from idea to demo?
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Why this works
Reveals craft and iteration.
3Which sounds or artists shaped this era for you?
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Which sounds or artists shaped this era for you?
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Why this works
Maps influence and lineage.
4What did you cut that you still love?
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What did you cut that you still love?
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Why this works
Shows taste and editing discipline.
5How do you know a song is finished?
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How do you know a song is finished?
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Why this works
Finishing heuristics are revealing.
6What role do collaborators play in your sound?
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What role do collaborators play in your sound?
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Why this works
Credits producers, engineers, co-writers.
7How do you balance art with algorithm pressures?
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How do you balance art with algorithm pressures?
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Why this works
Honest business constraints in streaming era.
8What’s a live moment that changed how you perform a track?
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What’s a live moment that changed how you perform a track?
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Why this works
Stage feedback loops back to studio.
9What do you want listeners to feel track one to last?
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What do you want listeners to feel track one to last?
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Why this works
Album arc as emotional journey.
10What’s one sound you’re obsessed with right now?
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What’s one sound you’re obsessed with right now?
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Why this works
Texture-level curiosity sparks geekery.
11What advice would you give your earlier self?
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What advice would you give your earlier self?
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Why this works
Hard-earned wisdom for upcoming artists.
12What should we listen for on a second play?
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What should we listen for on a second play?
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Why this works
Deepens appreciation and replay value.
Conducting Artist Interviews
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.