Friday 7 February 2014

My Draft Magazine -

REVOLUTION Cover Page, featuring Marshall Stack Lead Singer Harry Julian. 




REVOLUTION Contents page. This page includes features, reviews and images of artists featuring inside. 






REVOLUTION Double Page Spread featuring image of all 3 members of Marshall Stack as well as the article containing information about the band. 

Magazine Flat Plans -


This is my music magazine cover flat plan. From analysing and researching a variety of indie music magazines i eventually decided that i wanted my front cover to be busy, energetic and colourful. I also wanted to use a picture which would capture the audiences attention. From my research i gained knowledge such as technical terminology and how to use it to the best of my ability. Therefore, whilst designing my music magazine front cover, i am going to use a variety of technical features including a recognisable masthead, a visually spectacular main cover line, as well as a catchy, intriguing and possibly shocking pull quote. From my research i decided that i wanted to create a magazine which appeared as a mixture of the most highly successful Music magazines, NME and Q. I hope to create a cover which in cooperates the style, layout, colour scheme of these particular magazines. 


This is my magazine contents flat plan.From analysing and researching a variety of indie music magazines i eventually decided that i wanted my contents page to appear energetic, clean cut and professional. I have decided to include many technical features on my contents page in order to make it look like a real music magazine. Similarly to the cover, i want the theme of a busy appearance to continue throughout the magazine, therefore my contents page needs to be busy and energetic, something which i believe the target audience (16-24) year olds can relate to. I have once again decided to use both the NME and Q as a 'style model' and have selected aspects from both. I am going to include important features, as well as images and reviews to give the page a traditional contents feel, however my use of wording and and stylish approach will give my contents page a unique persona and one which will captivate the audience. 


This is my magazine This is my magazine double page spread flat plan.From analysing and researching a variety of indie music magazines i eventually decided that i wanted my double page spread to be simplistic but with a unique twist. From researching relevant music magazines i have decided to take up an entire page of the double page spread with the image alone. I have decided to use this technique as it makes it extremely clear who the article is about, it also gives the readers an aspect which is eye catching and interesting to view. The text itself is going to be an article. This article features information about the band members, their history, their releases and their future plans. I have also decided to use a drop cap to add to the article. The use of a drop cap enhances the text and indicates clearly indicates to the reader where to begin. The headline or title for the article is going to be a pull quote. From analysing existing music magazines i have discovered that the use of a pull quote as the title adds humour and therefore interest to the page. 


Draft Article -

"We're Here to Knock Kasabian Right Off Their F**king Perch"

With a jam packed summer of music drawing nearer, Marshall Stack were in high spirits as they prepare to release their second installment into the musical world.

Marshall Stack, an indie trio from Leicester are the latest new and upcoming artist to break through onto the music scene. With their unique sound and inspirational lyrics, the debutants have already been compared to the likes of Oasis, Kasabian and the Arctic Monkeys.  After releasing their debut album ‘Arrival’ in mid-2013, the young indie rockers have been on the road to bigger and better things, including a slot in the line-up at the prestigious Reading and Leeds festival this summer. When asked about their recent success, Harry Julian, The bands outspoken frontman said “we’ve been expecting this, we’re f**king brilliant!”  After performing in front of hundreds of fans and critics, the band’s sound and style have been compared to some of Britain’s greatest, such as The Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian, however, each band member has stated that their style is completely original and is something which is unique to them and them alone. ‘Our sound is different, but better than anything out there at the minute’ claims lead guitarist Harry Lunn, he then added ‘we’ll fill arena’s man, I’m telling ya.’

Marshall Stack began their journey on the rise to fame back in the early noughties. All three members were born and raised in the East midlands city of Leicester, and have been friends as well as colleagues since they met in college. At the age of 14, the trio started practicing in frontman Julian’s garage and quickly made their presence in the world of music known. With their sound echoing through the streets of Leicester, the band was soon booked in to local pubs, clubs and bars.

After performing covers for a number of years, the band decided that it was time to take a step into the unknown realm of song writing, and soon began writing songs which have inspired many who have heard them. Legendary British singer/songwriter and former Oasis member Noel Gallagher said ‘their lyrics are great, I've written some f**king tunes in my time, but these f**kers are class!’ As soon as the band began performing their own material, a vast number of scouts flocked to the city to watch the trio perform.

Within 6 months the band had been handed a place supporting fellow indie rock band The Courteeners on tour. During their opening gig, Marshall Stack’s stage presence and relationship with the crowd was similar to a band that had been doing it for years. NME music scout Ralph Bowen described the band’s first ever gig as ‘awesome’ ‘unique’ and ‘extremely entertaining.’
 
May 2013 saw the release of the band’s record breaking, debut single ‘misfits’ which rocketed into the charts at number 38. After only 4 weeks in the public ear, the band gained their first top 10 hit when the single reached the number 6 spot. During the interview, drummer Cox expressed his feelings when the record breaking news was announced ‘I was driving to Tesco when it came on the radio, I was so happy that I nearly crashed my car!’ As the band’s debut appearance at one of Britain’s largest festivals draws tantalisingly closer, their first single from the second album “Hot-Shot democracy” is ready and waiting. When asked about the new single, lead guitarist Lunn stated ‘listen up man, if you thought the first album was good, you’ll think this one is amazing!’  Since this interview the band has gone on to confirm that their second album will be released in June 2014, just weeks before their debut appearance at Reading and Leeds.
As the interview came to a close, we asked the band their thoughts on being compared to fellow Leicester indie rock band Kasabian, in which Julian responded ‘They seem like nice blokes, and they've released some f**king bangers, but we’re not here to be like them, we’re here to be ourselves, to be the best, in fact, we’re here to knock Kasabian right off their f**king perch!’
After interviewing the band I am expecting great things. Marshall Stack’s style and charismatic approach could see them top the charts, headline the world’s biggest venues and break more records than some of the greatest bands of all time. Their music is a pleasure to listen to and their lyrics have the ability to make you dance, laugh and cry in just a 3 minute gap.  Since the Reading and Leeds line up was announced, an unexplainable excitement has spread throughout my body like a ferocious disease and I am incredibly eager to see the silver tongued trio take the famous festival by storm. Although their egotistical attitude may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is no denying that Marshall Stack will be with us for a very, very long time.

By Jack Leatherland

Wednesday 5 February 2014