Drafting My Feature Article

For my feature article I wanted to write a band review because I think this is one of the most interesting types of feature article to read and write, and it was the main choice from my audience research when I asked a question on Survey Monkey regarding my audiences preferred choice of article:

My first draft is as follows:

With the British rock scene getting bigger and better every month, you need some special talent to be noticed, and this upcoming band has exactly what it takes to become one of the most influential artists of modern times. Our Kings and Queens are Dead are a three-piece band from Bristol, England, and after building up a fan base in the West Country and further via the internet, they have attracted our attention, and I’m glad they have.

       Our Kings and Queens are Dead formed in Spring 2012 and have since been working incredibly hard to make themselves a success, releasing their first EP “Royalties” on 21^st November 2012, followed by a tour of small venues across England with another upcoming band in the Spring of 2013. Until now, they have been working on their debut album, “Taking the World by Storm” which is due to be released on 12^th December 2013, and we’ve already had a listen.

       “Taking the World by Storm” features 12 tracks, and a full playing time of 49 minutes, and from the offset it demonstrates how a band can, in a year, really find the best sound for them and develop this into, what really is, a brilliant record. The album features Augustus Rivers on lead vocals and bass guitar, Matt Taylor on rhythm guitar and Oliver Ward on percussion and backing vocals, with some additions from each on other instruments eg piano and lead guitar in order to create the full sound that you experience on this album.

       The first four tracks are the four singles from the album, and as you’d expect, they are loud and enthusiastic, but deep and creatively spot-on all the same. They will definitely get the crowd singing along and dancing in any venue! The lyrics of these songs are a portrayal of life and, for the most part, getting through the young adult stage. Of course they each hold a big, catchy chorus, but with festivals and gigs being as important as they are right now, these songs will fit right in with that scene and make a huge impact when performed live.

        Some would say that after the singles, albums are just made of ‘filler tracks’, but this is not the case here. With the next eight songs after the singles, the band shows us exactly what they can do. There are a few big guitar solos as well as some quieter, more melodic tracks, with an interlude and a shorter song. The range in their dynamics not only shows us the musical ability of the band, but also their creative potential, and just less than two years in the industry they really are producing some solid music that’s unique and really quite refreshing.

       Our Kings and Queens are Dead fits in with the crowds for huge British bands such as You Me At Six, Bring Me The Horizon and Young Guns, so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! As before-mentioned, the album is being released on 12^th December 2013 and the first single from it is to be released the day after, 8pm (GMT), so grab your copies on iTunes and/or in physical and please make this remarkable, upcoming band show you just what they can do.

After asking for feedback from my peers who are in my target audience I found that this draft fulfilled the needs of the audience and it was sufficient for use on my double page spread without editing.