Dancing about Architecture: Writing About Music

A long time ago, a young writer wanted to become a music journalist. He was passionate about music and words, and he thought he had what it takes to write about his favorite bands and artists. One day, he got the chance to interview a famous musician, and he spent hours researching and writing questions. When the day of the interview came, he was nervous but excited. He sat down with the musician and asked his first question. The musician smiled and said, “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” The young writer was puzzled and didn’t know how to respond. He managed to finish the interview, but he couldn’t shake off the musician’s words. Was he wasting his time trying to write about music?

The Art of Writing About Music

Years later, that young writer became a successful music journalist, and he learned what the musician meant. Writing about music is a challenging art form that requires a lot of skill, creativity, and patience. It’s not enough to describe the sound, the lyrics, or the performers. Writing about music is about capturing the essence of a musical experience, sharing it with others, and inspiring them to listen, to feel, to dance, and to connect.

“You don’t write about music, you write from music.” – Martin Mull

Music is a universal language that speaks to our emotions, our memories, and our aspirations. Writing about music is a way of translating that language into words, but it’s also a way of communicating our own stories and perspectives. That’s why good music writing is not just informative or entertaining, but also personal and meaningful.

• Listen – Before you write about music, you have to listen to it. And not just once or twice, but many times, in different moods, settings, and contexts. You have to immerse yourself in the music, to let it speak to you, to discover its nuances and secrets.
• Research – Writing about music is not just about describing the sound or the lyrics. It’s also about understanding the history, the culture, and the context of the music. You have to do your homework, to read, to watch, to interview, to explore. You have to ask yourself: What does this music mean? What does it represent? What does it say about the world we live in?
• Express – Writing about music is not just about reporting or analyzing. It’s also about expressing yourself, your voice, your style, your personality. You have to find your own angle, your own tone, your own words. You have to be honest, passionate, and creative. You have to create a connection with your readers, to make them feel what you feel, to inspire them with your words.

Examples of Good Music Writing

Here are some examples of good music writing that demonstrate the art of translating music into words:

• Remembering David Bowie by Rolling Stone
• Confessions of a Punk Rock Confidential Interviewer by Pitchfork
• Dolly Parton, Country’s Backstabbing Queen by The New York Times

Conclusion

If you want to write about music, remember these three points:

1. Listen to the music with an open heart and mind.
2. Research the music and its context.
3. Express yourself authentically and creatively.

Writing about music is not easy, but it’s also not impossible. With practice, dedication, and passion, you can dance about architecture, and create something beautiful, meaningful, and inspiring.