Intentions for my music magazine

The genre of my music magazine will be alternative rock and will be aimed at teenagers between the ages of 13 to 19. It will feature an unsigned band called ‘Section 6’ located in the Cambridgeshire area. My magazine will be called ‘Headstock’ as this is the name given for the head of a guitar, I thought it would fit in well with the genre and theme of my magazine. On the front cover of my magazine I would like to emphasize my title using an image of a guitar, so the viewer can have an understanding of why I chose this particular name. The overall appearance of my magazine will represent a rockability style as most of the bands featured are in the genre of rock and indie.

My magazine front cover will consist of a main image, maybe using ‘Section 6’ as they are the main article within my magazine and a colour coordinated background, with the colours depending on the contrast of the image. I don’t want my cover to look too busy so I will make sure it is mainly pictorial and only features important information about the magazines contents. My masthead will be bold and easily read with a consistent style throughout the magazine, as this will be the branding of Headstock.

My main source of inspiration came from Q and Kerrang! Magazine. This is mainly because they are both very well known and are aimed at the rock genre. However there are features within the magazines which I liked in particular. These are; the use of images and how they are arranged on the page

This image of Madonna is very striking not only because it uses a lot of space on the page but it contrasts with the background colour as it is much brighter and all the detail is focused on her.

The text on the page is easy to read and also contrasts with the Q masthead and image. It just shows that the content on the page doesn’t necessarily need to look busy and detailed in order to be eye catching. This is something I have considered for my front cover.

The intentions for my music magazine;

Colours and themes I want to use- Blacks and any colour which contrast with my chosen image (gold’s greens)

I want to convey the genre of my magazine through use of font, images and layout. The unique selling point of my magazine is going to be my masthead, which resembles the top of a guitar (headstock) and the consistent style which reflects throughout the magazine. The use of images such as guitars, amps and silhouettes of musicians are also other elements which will help the viewer know who the magazine will appeal to and what its about. Other features within my magazine;

-I will include an editor’s note as this will personalise the article and also make the piece loose its artificial layout. This will give the audience a reassuring introduction, as well as informing the reader of how the magazine has been produced as if its ‘behind the scenes’ for example.

My main inspirations; Q Kerrang! Scuzz MixMag

Artists- Section six Ozzy Osborne Kings of Leon Arctic Monkeys

All of which are in the Indie/Rock Genre, following information from my survey results.