Last year I opened up about my music-tech obsession. It’s a healthy one, but an obsession none-the-less. WOHM encourages my fascination; in fact, my editor asked that I share a few things with you. Enjoy—but not too much, or you’ll end up like me.
1. Light Light’s “Kilo” music video
I read technology blogs every morning (followed by music blogs on the lunch hour) and came across this gem yesterday. Read the 307-word post on TechCrunch and then watch the video. Spare yourself the video after the jump, that -ish is just wack.
2. 8tracks
Available on the web, iOS, and smartphones, 8tracks is my favorite music app. I actually used the free service before they were a client at my day job, and still do even though they are no longer a client. It’s a playlist streaming service, and since all playlists are curated by people instead of algorithms, it’s discovery-heavy. Try listening, or try compiling a playlist yourself. Here’s one I made—it’s an oldie, but it features NW artist Illa, so it’s a goodie.
3. TuneIn
It’s rare that I ever need (let alone want) to listen to the radio; but on the occasions that I do need to, I use TuneIn’s radio—available online, and on iOS and smartphones. Use TuneIn to literally—tune in—to the Northwest Breakout Show, for example, which airs every Sunday night on WiLD 107.5 from 9pm-midnight PST.
4. JustGobble
Available on iOS only, I feel sorry for you “other” smartphone users. A friend of mine built JustGobble when he got sick of inefficiently DJing his workday on YouTube. That said, the UI isn’t great, and it crashes every once in awhile, but it’s rad. It makes playlists similar to 8tracks, but crawls YouTube, and is for personal-use only.
5. Matchbox Twenty’s “She’s So Mean” music video
Matchbox Twenty is making a comeback; I found out by way of their new [read: AWESOME, in 3D] music video on Mashable. To clarify, I’m not saying Matchbox Twenty is going to have a successful comeback, and I’m not saying they are awesome, I’m just saying the technology in this music video goes hard in the paint.
6. John Mayer’s original “Queen of California” music video
Ditto. John Mayer isn’t my favorite musician, but this time last year Draw Something was one of my favorite apps, and “Queen of California” was originally released using the app! The video was re-released with traditional visuals one month later…lame. For the full story, follow the most-recent Hypebeast link, to the MTV Buzzworthy link, to the original blog post.
7. Jason Mraz’s “The Woman I Love” music video
I caught Jason Mraz’s “The Woman I Love” music video on one of my favorite music-tech blogs, MTV O Music Awards Blog. If you peep the post or just roll the vid, you’ll see that the video includes fan feedback via Twitter. #outhere
8. SoundCloud
If you’re sleeping on SoundCloud it’s time to wake up and join the party. From their Wikipedia page, which WOHM considers reliable-enough, “SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform that allows collaboration, promotion, and distribution of audio recordings by users.” It’s like Bandcamp meets Twitter; it’s free; and everyone’s signing up for it. [Editor’s note: Hypebot.com is another top music-tech blog.]
9. The Ableton / Novation Launchpad
Your Launchpad can do more than you think it can. Don’t dump your girlfriend just yet—it can’t roll your weed, rub your back, or well, you know… But it can do just about everything else. Check out what Jack Conte did with it—he made a music-tech piece of art.
10. ‘How the brain lets rappers bust freestyle rhymes on the spot’ on NBC
Saving the techiest for last… Last year NBC ran the swaggiest news article of all time… Of all time! Take a moment to open those hyperlinks.