Bringing you "beyond the barricade and behind the music".

Soundcheck Mag is a photography-driven music media brand documenting concerts, festivals, and artist culture across pop, rock, indie, rap, and R&B. We're bridging the gap between industry access and fan perspective — delivering editorial features, day-in-the-life coverage, and visual storytelling built for the moments that define the culture.

Industry: Internet Publishing
Company Size: 11-50 employees

SoundCheck Mag

Savvy Admin PROD

**IC – Writer Contributor **

SoundCheck Mag – Writer / Article & Interview Contributor (Independent Contractor)

**Status: ** Independent Contractor (W-9 required; 1099 issued at year-end)

**Compensation Per Project: ** $15-20/article (think pieces, reviews, features (Word Count dependent) | $25/written interview | $35/Zoom interview with written coverage

**Type: ** Freelance / Remote — U.S. Only

**Reports to: ** LJ Portnoy, CEO, and Rebecca McDevitt, CMO

**Payment Method: ** PayPal

**About SoundCheck Mag **

SoundCheck Mag is an independent, photo-first music publication dedicated to documenting the artists, performances, and creative moments shaping today’s music landscape. Through concert photography, long-form interviews, and editorial storytelling, SoundCheck captures music as it exists in real time, preserving both the performance and the perspective behind it.

Founded with a focus on intentional coverage and artistic integrity, SoundCheck prioritizes depth over volume. Each feature, gallery, and interview is approached as part of a growing archival record, not just momentary coverage. Our work spans emerging artists and established acts alike, with an emphasis on authenticity, visual storytelling, and editorial permanence.

As SoundCheck continues expanding its interview and multimedia presence, video has become a critical extension of our editorial voice. Our goal is to create structured, accessible interview content that allows audiences to engage directly with artists’ stories, creative processes, and lived experiences.

SoundCheck Mag operates as an independent publication, building a long-term media archive through thoughtful documentation, consistent editorial standards, and collaboration with contributors who value precision, reliability, and creative respect.

**Position Overview **

We're seeking passionate, reliable writers to join SoundCheck Mag's contributor team. This role covers written editorial content — articles, reviews, features — as well as written and Zoom-based artist interviews. Writers are paid per article and per interview under a 1099 contract.

This is a remote, freelance opportunity, not employment. There are no employee benefits (PTO, healthcare, etc.), but contributors can take unpaid time off whenever needed. Contractors are responsible for their own taxes and must provide a completed W-9 before any payment is issued.

All new contributors begin with a **90-day trial period **. During this time, both the contributor and SoundCheck Mag leadership assess fit, reliability, and editorial quality. Continued engagement beyond 90 days is based on mutual agreement.

**U.S.-based applicants only. **

**How It Works **

All articles — whether self-pitched or assigned — must be approved before you begin writing. Submit your pitch with the topic, angle, and a brief note on your approach. Once greenlit, you own the deadline. Interview opportunities work the same way: pitch the artist early and we'll advise on next steps. Full submission guidelines are provided upon onboarding.

**Genres & Coverage Scope **

SoundCheck covers a wide range of music genres and formats — single and album reviews, artist features, industry commentary, tour and announcement coverage, and more.

**✓ Covered Genres ** Indie · Pop · Alternative · Rock · Hip-Hop · R&B · Acoustic · Bedroom Pop · Country-Pop · Electronica / Dance · Jazz · Emo · Pop-Punk · Screamo · K-Pop · J-Pop · Folk · 2000s Pop / Nostalgia · Superstar / Major Label Pop

Pitching something adjacent or borderline? Just ask before you draft — confirm before you write.

**Article Contributions (Paid) **

Write assigned and/or self-pitched pieces aligned to SoundCheck Mag's brand standards, including:

- Single and album reviews

- Tour and concert announcements or recaps

- Artist features and spotlights

- Music industry think pieces and trend deep dives

- "Warm take" opinion pieces (not inflammatory or tabloid-style)

All article submissions must be:

- 600–1,200 words (standard range; specific assignments may vary)

- Submitted via Google Docs through the SoundCheck article submission form

- Pitched or formally approved before drafting begins

- Properly formatted with catchy title + subtitle, contributor name, 10+ categories, 20+ tags, and alt-text for all images

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~~$15-20/article rate applies to think pieces, album reviews, single reviews, hot takes, features, and new music finds. All articles must be approved before submission. ~~

Interview Contributions (Paid)

Writer contributors are eligible to conduct written or Zoom-format interviews with artists. Interview assignments are approved in advance by SoundCheck leadership.

**$25 — Written Interviews **

- Conduct artist, industry, or creative interviews via written/email format

- Prepare and submit questions in advance for approval

- Submit a polished written interview piece via Google Docs through the submission form within the agreed-upon deadline

- Submit invoice via PDF to support@soundcheckmag.com within 30 days of interview date

**$35 — Zoom Interviews with Written Coverage **

- Conduct interviews via Zoom (or approved virtual format)

- Prepare 10–20 thoughtful questions and submit for approval if requested

- Submit a fully written interview piece (600–900 words) — **transcripts are not accepted; Submission must be a proper editorial piece/article **

- Submit video recordings (if applicable) within 48–72 hours via Google Drive as directed

- Submit invoice via PDF to support@soundcheckmag.com within 30 days of interview date

Qualifications

- Strong, clear writing with an authentic voice

- Passion for music and culture across genres

- Reliability and ability to meet deadlines

- Openness to editorial feedback and brand guidelines

- Journalistic integrity — no celebrity drama or unverified claims

- Preferred: writing experience or a degree in journalism, English, or communications

Additional Details

- Bylined work published on SoundCheckMag.com and/or in print issues

- Opportunities for larger features and artist interviews as you grow with SoundCheck

- All payments made via PayPal

- A W-9 is required before any payment is processed

- SoundCheck Mag issues 1099-NECs annually to contractors paid $600 or more

How to Apply

Apply directly through **LinkedIn ** with:✅ A short introduction (who you are + why you want to write for SoundCheck)

✅ **1–3 writing samples (required) ** — music-related preferred

✅ Any relevant portfolio links (Substack, Medium, personal site, etc.)

Please include the link to your writing samples in your application. Applications without samples may be rejected.

If LinkedIn submissions reach capacity or experience issues, email your application to **ljp@soundcheckmag.com ** with the subject line:

- **"Writer Contributor Application – [Your Name]" **

Contributor - Article Writer & Artist Interviews - W-9/IC

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