HOW TO GET INTERVIEWED AS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST
An interview can do more than promote one song.
A strong interview can explain your story, introduce your personality, create searchable content, build credibility and give audiences a deeper reason to connect with your career.
But interviews usually do not happen because an artist simply says:
“Interview me.”
They happen because the artist has something worth discussing.
BUILD THE STORY BEFORE ASKING FOR THE INTERVIEW
Before contacting media, ask:
Why should this outlet interview me right now?
Possible reasons might include:
A new release.
A powerful personal story.
A major performance.
A notable collaboration.
An independent business achievement.
A unique creative process.
Community work.
A career comeback.
A cultural perspective.
An interesting industry opinion.
The interview needs a reason.
CREATE A MEDIA ANGLE
You are not only promoting music.
You are pitching a conversation.
A useful media angle gives the interviewer multiple directions.
For example:
How the artist built independently.
The story behind the record.
The meaning of the lyrics.
The business strategy.
The creative journey.
The city or culture behind the sound.
The transition from artist into entrepreneur.
Now the conversation has depth.
PREPARE BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Do not arrive without knowing what you want to communicate.
Prepare:
Your current project.
Key career milestones.
Important names and dates.
Your artist story.
Your website.
Your social links.
Your music links.
Your main message.
You should not memorize robotic answers.
But you should know your story.
PRACTICE YOUR INTRODUCTION
You may be asked:
“Tell us about yourself.”
Do not answer with a 15-minute autobiography.
Create a concise introduction.
Who are you?
Where are you from?
What type of music do you make?
What are you promoting?
What makes your story worth following?
Then allow the interviewer to go deeper.
BE INTERESTING BEYOND THE SONG
A great interview often moves beyond:
“My single is out now.”
Discuss:
Life.
Culture.
Creative process.
Business.
Challenges.
Influences.
Goals.
Industry changes.
Personal philosophy.
Audiences remember personality.
ANSWER THE QUESTION
Some artists enter interviews determined to repeat promotional talking points no matter what they are asked.
That makes conversations feel fake.
Listen.
Answer thoughtfully.
Then naturally connect relevant points back to your work.
CREATE QUOTABLE MOMENTS
Strong interviews often produce memorable statements.
Do not manufacture controversy simply for attention.
Instead, communicate clear ideas.
A powerful quote can become:
Social graphics.
Video clips.
Press headlines.
Captions.
Future marketing material.
PROMOTE THE INTERVIEW
Once published, do not expect the outlet to do all the work.
Share it.
Clip it.
Post quotes.
Add it to your website.
Add meaningful coverage to your EPK.
Send it to your email audience.
Thank the host.
The interview becomes an asset.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH HOSTS
Do not disappear immediately after publication.
Stay connected professionally.
Share other episodes.
Recommend guests if appropriate.
Support the platform.
A good media relationship may create future opportunities.
MR. DOPE CHEF MOGUL TIP
Don’t chase interviews just to say you were interviewed. Build conversations that reveal enough value to make people want to follow what you do next.
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST
- Identify your current story.
- Develop three interview angles.
- Build an EPK.
- Research relevant outlets.
- Prepare your short introduction.
- Practice talking about your current project.
- Know important facts and dates.
- Prepare high-quality photos.
- Promote published interviews.
- Create short clips.
- Add coverage to your website.
- Maintain relationships with hosts.