Part 3: Rocking Interviews
Listening for questions: who, what, where, when and why?
I have always been someone who asks many questions. It is never enough for me to just know that my favorite artist’s new album is being released or that a new tour is coming to town. Like many fans, I want to know the who, what, where when and why about it!
These questions are the framework of any good interview
Listening for key phrases or word combinations will be the best way to make your interviews as informative and interesting as possible.
WHO…
The subject
Q: “ Who wrote the song?”
A: “I /he /she /he /we …wrote it.”
WHAT…
The object.
The trick to answering a what question is to Listen for the subject. Who is the object referring to?
Q: “ What are you looking forward to?
A: “ I am looking forward to the next tour.”
WHERE…
Place or location
Q: “Where will you be traveling to next?”
A: We will be in London next. Then, We will go to Paris.
WHEN …
Time = tense which means answering in past/present or future. You can use the helping verb “will” for future tense.
Q: When was the last time you performed in Chile? ( The verb/action is to perform. It has a past tense ending -ed)
past tense: We performed…
Present tense: We are performing
Future tense: We will perform or We will be performing
Examples:
to play: We played/We are playing. We will play/ We will be playing
to write: I wrote/ I write or I am writing/ I will write or I will be writing
to sing: I sang/ I sing or I am singing/ I will sing or I will be singing
Where and when can be combined
Q: “Where will you be traveling to next?”
A: We will be in London next week. Then, we will go to Paris
WHY…
Asks for reasons.
Q: Why did you choose to start off your tour in Taiwan?
WHY questions are asking Is there or if there is or are reasons for something.
A: We… always wanted to play there.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Practice listening for the who , what, where, when and why. These words are seeking more information.
Practice your answers to questions. Knowing anticipated or expected questions and answers in an interview will help you to become more comfortable and confident in how to answer and what to say.
Practice reading or listening to interviews in English. This is an excellent way to practice. Find the questions in interviews from other printed and/or online publications or videos. Listen carefully to the questions and see if you can pick out what is being asked.
Practice your responses. How would you answer these question?
In time, You will become more relaxed with the interview process and with interviewers, which will help you to come across less formal or stiff, which is better when being interviewed in the west.
After all, this is entertainment and rock n roll! Confidence is key. Your comfort level in an interview gives potential audiences a taste of your character and sets the stage for what your performances might be like.
For fans, it is a window into the person behind the persona. Western fans want their idols to feel comfortable with them. Understanding this, will help you connect to your audience in more meaningful ways.
It is time to shine!