[mplpost] 'live' interviews

[V. Cormier]

I've watched live interviews at several of the festivals David mentions
below (and others) and agree that these interviews are most successful if
the venue/artist/interviewer requisites are all in place.  By way of
example, Rootsfest in Victoria introduced this format in '00, and that
weekend I witnessed:
 - one interview fall apart due to lack of experience/preparation of
interviewer, combined with an artist who clearly wasn't interested in being
there;
 - one interview with an engaging and eloquent artist and a well-prepared
interviewer - sadly, it was the last interview that afternoon, as a
windstorm was beginning, which affected audience size and enjoyment;
- one interview where the fairly hostile and vocal audience clearly
expressed their 'less talk, more rock' philosophy.  However, the interviewer
had a different agenda.

This last example also goes to show that spontaneity and audience wishes
should be respected; this may be difficult if the interview is being taped
for future broadcast.  If an interview is being recorded, it needs to be
clearly advertised as such.  In my experience, the most successful and
interesting interviews from an audience standpoint have been the ones at
WOMAD under a big tree where loose, informal, but intelligent discourse
takes place between the audience with minimal assistance from the
interviewer.

-Val Cormier

----- Original Message -----
From: "david grierson" <davidgrierson@hotmail.com>
To: <maplepost@icomm.ca>
Sent: November 16, 2001 11:08 AM
Subject: RE: [mplpost] 'live' interviews


> Hi, gang.
>
> can't let this thread go without comment.
> mine come not out of any self-service (although I
> have some professional expertise to happily share
> with AD's looking...he said tongue firmly planted
> in cheek) but more as a fan of the compleat festival
> musical experience.
>
> the onstage interview is very effective in certain
> circumstances...
>
> where;
> -the venue is intimate enough to afford inclusion
> of the audience
> -the artist has bought into the concept and is willing
> to play along and drop the standard stage banter
> -the interviewer is as skilled at his/her craft as
> the artist is at theirs. (this will help with the previous
> caveat, I find.)
> -the interview is strongly billed as an interview--thus
> eliminating those expecting an intimate musical performance
> and nothing but.
>
> I have participated in successful executions (at least everyone
> I talked to was happy) at Womad, Vancouver, Rootsfest and
> Island Music Fest, to name a few. All have been recorded for
> broadcast and/or webcast. This adds a contracting wrinkle
> and some added technical requirements...but is a solid
> outreach tool for festivals/artists looking to build
> profile.
>
>
> oral history counts.
> let's say the names.
> let's hear the voices.
> before it's too late.
>
> for what it's worth.
>
> greetings from the comfiest chair
> in God's waiting room...
>
>
> d.


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