At a Glance
- Tasks: Write engaging features and interviews about adventurous music and its vibrant scenes.
- Company: Independent music editorial platform focused on innovative storytelling.
- Benefits: Flexible freelance work, creative freedom, and the chance to explore diverse music cultures.
- Other info: Open to new writers; pitch your ideas and showcase your creativity!
- Why this job: Dive deep into music's impact on society and connect with unique voices in the industry.
- Qualifications: Passion for music journalism and a knack for insightful storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Freelance features and interviews for an independent music editorial platform. The focus is adventurous music and the worlds around it: scenes as living systems shaped by people, spaces, platforms, money, technology, politics, desire, belief, labour, and community. We’re especially interested in work that bridges contexts (local to global, online to offline, UK/Europe to Asia and beyond) and avoids inherited, default narratives or descriptions by getting sourced, balanced takes or deeply personal opinions.
Reference points (to give a feel for the types of music we enjoy, top of mind right now, not canon): ear, weed420, caroline, My New Band Believe, Shinichi Atobe, Car Culture, Bloodz Boi, Loraine James, Caterina Barbieri, Purelink, Lustmord, Phil Elverum, John Beltran, NVST, Aya (Sinclair), Ouri, Mica Levi, Valentina Magaletti, upsammy, Kelman Duran, Evian Christ.
What we’re commissioning right now:
- Interviews (deep-dives, not necessarily press-cycle related) on method, contradictions, ethics, economics, internet life, and the realities of making work today. We’re keen for you to speak with: artists/producers/DJs with a defined philosophy and context; label heads, collective organisers, promoters, venue operators, sound engineers, designers; music-founded builders and caretakers such as tool-makers (e.g. instruments), coders, archivists, librarians, radio heads; researchers and thinkers who can speak plainly about complex ideas.
- Features rooted in a place, a network, or a conflict, for example: reported scene portraits (cities, venues, radio ecosystems, micro-genres, touring routes); pieces that map a venue ecosystem or micro-economy (e.g. funding, team members, audience, etc.); stories that bridge online and offline music communities (forums, Discords, niche platforms, recommendation pipelines shaping taste).
- Investigations / analysis (infrastructure, power) that interrogates the machinery around music, including: private equity and festival consolidation (e.g. KKR) and what ownership does to culture; club ownership models (co-ops vs private owners vs brand-backed venues), door policy, labour, risk, governance; sponsorship ethics, contested funding, and what artists/audiences do with that tension; streaming and metadata power (tagging, playlists, bought plays, etc.); archiving as politics (preservation/erasure ethics); touring logistics as culture (visas, borders, fees, burnout and their effects); AI and synthetic culture (spam releases, identity-as-metadata, the “dead internet”). Data-led approaches are extremely welcome.
- Photo-led pieces (document, reveal) that highlight labour, economics, exclusions, and the material conditions of a scene.
- Short-form video (based on articles + related topical content) once we have articles in the pipeline, we need video editors who can put together short-form videos about the same content, and/or topical content in similar areas.
How to pitch: Send a short pitch (250 words), your proposed structure, and a line on what access/reporting you can bring.
Requirements: Links to previous work are helpful but not required if the pitch is strong. We’re open to new writers.
Music Journalist - Writer (Freelance) employer: Trace Commons
Join an innovative independent music editorial platform that champions adventurous music and the vibrant communities surrounding it. We foster a collaborative work culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages personal expression, offering freelance writers the opportunity to explore unique narratives and engage with a global network of artists and thinkers. With a focus on meaningful storytelling and in-depth analysis, we provide a supportive environment for professional growth and creative exploration in the dynamic world of music journalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Music Journalist - Writer (Freelance)
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the music scene, whether it's artists, producers, or fellow journalists. Attend gigs, join online forums, and engage with communities on social media. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that freelance gig!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your unique voice! When pitching your ideas, make sure to highlight what makes your perspective different. We want to hear those adventurous takes that challenge the norm. Don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences and insights – they can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current trends and discussions in the music world. Follow relevant blogs, podcasts, and social media accounts to keep your finger on the pulse. This knowledge will not only inspire your pitches but also help you engage in meaningful conversations with potential interviewees.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing fresh talent, so don’t hesitate to submit your pitches directly. Make sure to tailor your ideas to our focus areas, and remember to include how you can bring unique access or reporting to the table. Let’s create something amazing together!
We think you need these skills to ace Music Journalist - Writer (Freelance)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Pitch:Start with a punchy opening that grabs our attention! Your pitch should be concise (250 words max) and clearly outline your idea, structure, and what unique access or reporting you can bring to the table.
Show Us Your Voice:We want to hear your unique perspective! Make sure your writing reflects your personal style and insights, especially when discussing adventurous music and its surrounding worlds. Don’t shy away from being bold and original!
Connect the Dots:When pitching, think about how your piece bridges different contexts—local to global, online to offline. We love stories that explore these connections, so highlight how your work contributes to a broader conversation in the music scene.
Submit Through Our Website:Make it easy for us to find your application by submitting through our website. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your pitch gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to read what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trace Commons
✨Know Your Music and Contexts
Before the interview, dive deep into the music and artists mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with their work and the broader contexts they operate in. This will not only help you ask insightful questions but also show your genuine interest in the platform's focus on adventurous music.
✨Craft Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a list of open-ended questions that encourage discussion about the artists' philosophies, methods, and the realities of their work. Think about how to bridge local and global contexts, and be ready to explore complex ideas. This will demonstrate your ability to engage deeply with the subject matter.
✨Showcase Your Unique Voice
In your interview, let your personality shine through. Share your own experiences and perspectives on music and culture. The platform values personal opinions and sourced takes, so don’t hesitate to express what makes your viewpoint unique and relevant to their mission.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Pitch
If you’ve submitted a pitch, be prepared to discuss it in detail. Highlight your proposed structure and the access or reporting you can bring to the table. This shows that you’re not just a writer, but a thoughtful contributor who understands the intricacies of music journalism.
