A journalist’s job is never easy. From deadlines to transparency, there is a lot that goes into a story before it is put out to the public. One of the most difficult tasks are the interviews. Talking to a person and asking them critical questions to help your piece can be awkward at times. Quotes are important because they can help the overtone of the story, and can be used to verify, and support the transparency of the story. Despite their importance, they are sometimes a difficult task to accomplish. Interviewees may not give the information wanted, or may hold a grudge due to the fact they are dealing with a reporter. The interviewee could also read the story and dislike the way they were quoted. Interviewing is a skill that can never be mastered, but only gets good with practice. Even then, an interviewee can still be hard to deal with.
BrianStars, whose real name is Brian Odell, is a YouTuber whose channel dates back to 2009. He is known for interviewing many bands in the pop punk and hard rock genres of music. He also uploads videos on his opinions of the music world and hosts multiple different web series. A big low came in his career as he had a small fight with the band Never Shout Never. During the Alternative Press Tour of 2010, Odell interviewed the band on their bus. Mostly talking with front man Christopher Drew, the main focus was on the creation of the band, and Drew’s perspective on music. Drew also got his start from YouTube. Drew seemed to enjoy most of the interview as the video lasts just over 15 minutes.
In 2011, BrianStars posted a video about weekly news of bands in the pop punk genre. Near the end of the video, he misinterprets an interview between Drew and Alternative Press magazine to be the breakup of Never Shout Never. Odell criticizes Drew, saying the artist “isn’t happy,” and “looks bored.” He goes on to ask his viewers “do you miss the old Never Shout Never? Do you like his new stuff?” Odell expressed a bleak outlook by wishing the best for Drew. He explains what a role model Drew was and how disappointing the breakup of a influential band might be. As rumors of Drew and the band breaking up circulated, Never Shout Never continued touring and denied these rumors.
In 2012, Odell documented himself and a friend driving seven hours to a Never Shout Never show to get a backstage interview. The band decided to take out their frustrations on BrianStars by showing disrespect and borderline bully the reporter. The interview starts out okay, Drew alongside fellow band members Taylor MacFee, and Hayden Kaiser answer questions with short answers. Drew quickly brings up the rumors started by Odell in the 2011 video.
In hopes to keep the interview under control, Odell asks Drew to ‘give him his best insult.’ Drew responds with “I don’t insult, I just give constructive criticism.” As the interview goes along, Drew continually takes shots at Odell. Drew states that Odell tries to “make a mockery” of all the bands he interviews and even calls him a “joke.” This seems like a very harsh form of constructive criticism. Obviously distraught, Odell tries to move through the questions. Throughout the interview, the other band members MacFee and Kaier, show similar disrespect to BrianStars. Kaiser ignores questions, and has a frown on his face the whole time. MacFee insults Odell’s shirt, then takes the pages of questions and throws multiple pages down. To end the interview Drew says that Odell should focus his questions more on the art, and less on the scum. Drew then thanks the fans, MacFee pinches Odell’s cheek, and the band leaves BrianStars along on the couch.
After having a goofy interview with Never Shout Never just two years before, BrianStars prepared with the same idea of a free-spirited atmosphere. Many fans sided with Odell. His response video refrains from blaming Never Shout Never, and defends his integrity.
Odell was able to move on from this incident. On his channel he is aspiring to become a musician, as he just released an album. He still does interviews too. Both BrianStars and Never Shout Never have since made up. Odell recently interviewed Drew in February of 2015. The most important quote from the video didn’t come from a member of Never Shout Never.
In the final seconds of his video, BrainStars states “At the end of the day, I did my best, I always do my best, I gave a hundred-ten percent, and this is no exception.” BrianStars set the example for how a reporter should act in a nightmare situation. The best part of this story is that Odell continued to do what he loves to do. Getting through this obstacle shows the dedication and determination that reporters and journalists need to have in order to withstand adversity.
Here is the second interview. Caution : explicit language. Viewer discretion is advised
