How to Become a Music Journalist: A Beginner's Path

In a world where music fuels everything from fashion to protest, music journalism is more relevant than ever. It's more than reviewing albums or listing festival lineups — it's about documenting culture, challenging trends, and giving voice to artists and movements. If you’re passionate about both music and storytelling, this guide is your first step into an exciting (and often overlooked) creative career path.

1. Understand What Music Journalists Really Do

A music journalist doesn’t just write about sound — they explore the cultural, emotional, and political context around it. Whether reporting on a local punk show or analyzing how hip-hop shapes global youth culture, your role is to translate music into meaning.

You might write:

• Album or EP reviews
• Scene reports or trend pieces
• Artist interviews and Q&As
• Retrospectives on genres or eras
• Think pieces on music’s cultural influence

Not sure what niche you’re drawn to? Exploring less common genres can give you a unique editorial angle and help your writing stand out.

2. Build a Strong Foundation in Music Knowledge

You don’t need to be a trained musician, but understanding how music works — rhythm, structure, production, genre conventions — makes your writing sharper and more insightful. Start by learning:

• Basic music theory (this guide is a good intro)
• The history of influential genres like jazz, hip-hop, punk, blues, and electronic music
• How music trends evolve (e.g., the evolution of rock)

Reading music books like How Music Works by David Byrne or following respected publications like The Quietus and NPR Music can give you critical insight into how journalists approach music as more than just entertainment.

3. Write Often & Find Your Voice

You won’t become a great writer by accident — it takes practice. Start reviewing albums you love (or hate), describe live shows you’ve attended, or break down why a particular lyric hits so hard.

Helpful tips:

• Keep it short and focused at first
• Use vivid descriptions instead of technical jargon
• Read your favorite writers and imitate their rhythm until you develop your own

Need a place to publish? Consider starting a personal blog (or Substack), and use this music blog starter guide to gain early traction.

4. Immerse Yourself in the Scene & Build Connections

Being present is half the job. Go to gigs, talk to fans, follow emerging artists on TikTok or Bandcamp. The more you engage with real music communities, the more authentic and informed your writing becomes.

Practical ways to connect:

• Introduce yourself to local bands, promoters, and publicists
• Join music writer forums and Twitter/X chats
• Reach out to publications for internships or guest contributions
• Sign up on SubmitHub or Groover to discover new artists early

Also, learning how independent artists navigate the industry can make you a stronger reporter. Here’s an insightful piece on how indie musicians build their fanbase.

5. Learn Multimedia Skills (Beyond Writing)

Modern music journalists often wear more than one hat. Adding new tools to your skillset makes you more versatile and employable.

Skills worth learning:

• Basic audio editing for podcast segments — free tools like Audacity are ideal
• Photography, especially for live gigs and artist portraits
• SEO and content formatting so your work ranks well online — this SEO crash course is a solid primer
• Social media management, since many blogs expect you to help promote your articles

Bonus: if you want to explore video content or podcasting, try using free royalty-free music libraries to enhance your edits.

6. Start Pitching Your Work

Once you have a small portfolio — even if it’s self-published — you’re ready to approach blogs, indie magazines, and music sites. Write clear, concise pitches that show you understand their tone and audience.

Great places to pitch or connect with editors:

• Muck Rack – helps you track journalist profiles
• Sonicbids – useful for both artists and music writers
• Music-specific outlets like Earmilk, The Line of Best Fit, or Atwood Magazine

Don’t get discouraged by rejections — follow up, refine your angles, and keep writing.

7. Keep Growing with the Industry

Music journalism, like the music industry itself, evolves constantly. AI-generated music, NFTs, sync licensing, and streaming algorithms are all part of today’s landscape. Being a good journalist means staying curious and current.

You might also consider:

• Taking a music production crash course (this free 7-day challenge is beginner-friendly)
• Learning how royalties and publishing actually work (this royalty breakdown is a must-read)
• Subscribing to weekly press drops from creators, labels, or sample libraries (free sign-up)

Final Thoughts

Music journalism is both an art and a responsibility. It means amplifying voices, documenting the moment, and helping people experience music through your words. You don’t need a degree or permission to start — just curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to evolve.