Thanks for inquiring about writing for theLAMusicScene.com!

What we're about:
We're a music related web site focusing on live, local unsigned artists, with an emphasis on unsigned. The L.A. Music Scene's mission is to support and promote talent that is not already benefiting from established, widely recognized record companies. The L.A. Music Scene appreciates and works to support the underdogs in a tough-to-break-into industry. If you're reviewing a group OR SOLO ARTIST that is associated with a label, it should be an independent label. "Local" refers to gigs playing in or around the greater Los Angeles area.

Types of articles:
Live reviews, CD reviews, interviews and club profiles are just a few of the areas you can explore (for club profiles please contact writers@thelamusicscene.com).

Length & Content:
In live review articles, include the show date and venue. Also, include the artist's web address at the end of an article for those wanting more information on other show dates or music clips.

For artist interviews, articles may be in question/answer format, with a word for word "transcript" of the interview, or a profile article that describes the artist and the music in a revealing and engaging way (as best as you can).

The average review is 300 - 600 words (4-6 paragraphs). If you're moved to write more, that's great. If you don't feel like writing a full review, On The Scene, is a section devoted to short, 1 - 2 paragraph reviews (usually 1).

Perspective:
This is a fan based web site, meaning it is not geared towards musicians solely. When writing about music and artists, consider the language used and your approach. After all, the reviews potentially peak the interest of music fans and encourage people to appreciate music and support the scene.

Photos, contact information, & other logistics:
If you have a digital camera and can take photos, that's great! If you don't, usually you (or we) can ask the band to provide a few photos. Be sure to obtain contact information i.e. email address, website address.

Keep in mind that if you let an artist know in advance that you'd like to review their show for The L.A. Music Scene, they will often put you on their guest list so that you do not have to pay to see the show. Same goes for reviewing a CD; an artist will often simply give you one.

Some writers prefer not to let an artist know of their presence at a gig, so as to maintain anonymity. Although there is nothing ethically wrong with this, consider that when writing about the performance you may refer to specific songs and mention band members' names. Getting the wrong name of a song or band member isn't the best way to go. Therefore, it is a good idea to let the artist know you are coming, and request a set list and the names of band members and their instruments in advance to ensure a more accurate and complete review.

When to write:
Our writers are often music buffs as is, and already go to shows or listen to CD's, so making the extra effort to write about the experience afterward is all there is to it. There are no set rules to how often you write, your contributions are appreciated. Try it out, see how you like it.

Editing:
While we reserve the right to edit, we find ourselves doing very little editing. If we do edit, we will do everything to avoid changing any contextual meaning.

Submitting articles:
When you have an article you would like to submit, please email it in the body text of an email. Attachments will not be opened unless a member of our staff has requested the attachment. Photographs should be sent as individual files, not zipped.

And Finally....
TheLAMusicScene.com is meant to be a positive experience. Constructive criticism is great; however, avoid negativity like the plague. It's best not to write if you can't find anything good to say. After all, music is entirely subjective and what is horrible to you may be someone else's Beethoven. So, describe the experience as best you can for others to gain a sense of the music's flavor and certainly add your input as you see fit.