Live Music Contributor - Photography & Writing - W-9/IC
IC – Live Music Contributor SoundCheck Mag – Live Music Contributor: Photographer, Article Contributor & Interview Contributor (Independent Contractor) Status: Independent Contractor (W-9 required; 1099 issued at year-end) Compensation: Photography & Concert Coverage — Volunteer (unpaid) | Interviews — Paid (see rates below) Type: Freelance / On-Site Location: See market requirements below — this is NOT a fully remote role Reports to: LJ Portnoy, CEO, and Rebecca McDevitt, CMO Payment Method: PayPal ⚠️ LOCATION REQUIREMENT — HARD REQUIREMENT This role is open to U.S.-based individuals living in the following states and markets ONLY:
- California
— Los Angeles area strongly preferred
- Tennessee
— Nashville area strongly preferred
- Texas
— Austin or Dallas area strongly preferred You must currently reside in one of these states and be able to attend and cover live events within your market. Relocation is not provided. Remote-only applicants will not be considered. Proof of residency in one of these markets is required during onboarding. 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 growing our Live Music Contributor team in key U.S. markets. This multi-faceted role combines live event photography, concert coverage writing, and (for eligible contributors) paid interview work with artists. This is an independent contractor position — not employment. Photography and concert article coverage are volunteer/unpaid; interview contributions are compensated. All 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 work quality. Continued engagement beyond 90 days is based on mutual agreement. Our Coverage Philosophy SoundCheck Mag receives hundreds of show requests every year. We are a publication built on lifting up music at every level — that means openers, local artists, supporting acts, headliners, and superstars. Contributors are expected to request and cover artists of all sizes. Contributors who exclusively seek out major headliners and ignore smaller or emerging acts are not aligned with SoundCheck's editorial values and may be removed from the team. This isn't just a policy — it's who we are. We cover concerts, festivals, award shows, and live events across the following genres. Requests outside these must be pre-approved by leadership. ✓ 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 How It Works — The Show Request Process Contributors submit show requests to SoundCheck leadership for approval — the earlier, the better. Once approved, we provide artist management contact info and email templates to help you pitch coverage. You'll handle outreach directly and we'll guide you on timing and process, including any shows that require Live Nation credentialin