Unit 36: Interview Techniques

Research Document

You need to carry out EXTENSIVE research on your topic and guest.
You need to demonstrate why you have used your guest for this
topic. You need to reference where you found your research.
(Referencing is KEY)
Interviewee: Steve Morano
Research of topic: Writing music and lyrics. Music distribution.
Country music.
Songwriting is based on a structure of ideas, and then filled out with
a melody, harmony and lyrics.

Most people have different processes when it comes to writing their

own music.
Often begin with a general theme or idea that the song is built round
Songwriters tend to write things that they relate to and that are
personal to them
Based around a specific riff or chord sequence which can then be
built on and around
Individuals usually have their own process instead of writing at
random in order to organise their thoughts and music etc.
Generally works in three phases: Ideas, Drafts and Development.
Four general rules when it comes to songs:
1. They tend to build energy as the song goes on
2. Generally go from lower pitches/tones to higher pitches/tones
as the song goes on
3. Often an increase in emotional intensity during the chorus
4. Step down in energy/intensity as the chorus finishes.
Songs often have a very personal meaning to listeners, with lyricists
such as Morrissey and Thom Yorke being examples of writers who
create very emotionally heartfelt songs.
On the genre:
Country originated in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in the 1920s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_music
Spawned a lot of subgenres i.e. rockabilly, bluesgrass
Mainly written/created by white, working class Americans,
especially in its early forms
See how Steve relates to other people who create country
music
Often played acoustically, with just a guitar
The genre originated from genres such as Appalachian folk;
European (mainly Celtic) folk music and blues
Notable early folk artists include Don Richardson, Riley
Puckett and Al Hopkins
More recent artists include Carrie Underwood and Sheryl Crow
Often crosses over with rock music in artists such as Kid Rock
and Christian Kane
Internationally popular i.e. Australian country music has been
developing since the 1920s as well, originated in English and
Irish folk songs and shared American country songs
Wide fanbase: http://www.cmaworld.com/

Difficult to maintain and create popularity in the music

business
http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2012/06/how-to-succeed-in-themusic-business-7-tips/
http://www.ifpi.org/facts-and-stats.php (statistics on the music
industry e.g. record sales; popular artists; distribution

formats)
Music revenues are stabilising in Europe and South America
Physical album sales have been falling, with an increase in
digital sales; makes it easier for people to spread their work
around; increases competition in the industry
Need to look at how Steve prefers to distribute music; what
formats he prefers
Shown here that the most popular genre of music is pop (as
the name indicates); difficult for artists outside this genre to
gain mainstream success (i.e. Nirvana):

Becoming increasingly difficult to make it in the music

industry
Producing records is becoming easier though; easier to edit
and produce your own music; distribution at concerts and
online are viable and easy ways of promotion
The internet makes it a lot easier for artists to self promote
More independent record labels are being set up to produce a
wider range of records
Steve has release two records on Collision; the label has
bases in Nashville (a popular home for country artists) and
the UK.
http://www.collisionmusic.co.uk/about/
Need to talk about his experiences in Nashville with the
record company; how it was to perform there.

Potential areas of interest:

Writing his own music
What the lyrics mean to him, whether he hopes other people will
connect with them

Travelling
Areas of concern:
How he goes about writing music.
If he finds writing music difficult at any point.
Distributing/recording music
How it was to travel with his music
Influences/themes
Research of Guest
Primary Research: (Interviews with guest to find out what they
know; interviews with friends of guest to find out about guest) Insert
voice recordings /notes:

Secondary Research: (Internet /books)

http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/music/steve-morano-bringscountry-soul-4686575
I used to jam with a lot of folk and country-influenced artists
I was brought up on country music as well by my parents.
Im quite a heart-felt singer songwriter I wear my heart on my
sleeve.
Born May 1st 1972
Recorded his album Jacksons Corner through the label Collision
Music in 2013 (talk about how it was to record that; look for any
follow ups)
Has played some gigs in Nashville and is working on becoming
popular there
Taken part in a BBC Introducing master class in Cardiff
Plays ukulele, guitar, harmonica and keyboard.
Jacksons Corner is available on iTunes. About a place in Reading
and also in Nashville where he draws a lot of influences from. Its the
title track of his CD and has 845 views on YouTube.
His song Donna has 2,653 views on YouTube
Has played at the Couch Sessions at the Phoenix Cinema in Oxford
Playing music since he was 9 on the keyboard.
Has played in various bands such as Hatcher and Homegrown, but is
now a solo artist
Regularly plays at Guilfest
First gained critical success with Supersport

Songs such as Jacksons Corner (a) and Working Day (b) have
themes of being stuck in life and being unsure of what to do.
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qPj2DjvO1k
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_qJutlcM-4