Slashdot Mirror
Playing the World From a Basement
Albanach writes "Singer songwriter Sandi Thom is one of a growing band of new musicians using the internet to circumvent the traditional and traditionally expensive tour circuit. Thom described her free online concerts as a Web Tour, saying 'A web tour is basically what you do when you have a lack of money and no car.' Services such as The Streaming Tank have grown to satisfy the need for broadcast services and the figures are impressive. Just 74 people watched Thom's first concert on February 24th. The concert on March 2nd drew 62,138 viewers."
Just 74 people watched Thom's first concert on February 24th. The concert on March 2nd drew 62,138 viewers.
I guess that, at that rate, I won't be saying "who?" in a week or 2.
I don't know... sitting alone in front of my computer with my lighter just isn't the same...
Remember... A boomerang IS NOT the best way to deliver a bomb.
I'm kinda thankful they aren't trying out the traditional bathroom-singing business model. Granted, the acoustics are nice, but the visuals suck...except for female musicians, ofcourse.
An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
Just 74 people watched Thom's first concert on February 24th. The concert on March 2nd drew 62,138 viewers.So, are there 62,064 people now sifting through the piracy sites for a torrent of an Xvid rip of the first one?
Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
Your margins on the merch are way better, and the beer is free.
hang brain.
As a musician, I think this is very exciting. The 'alternative' conventional wisdom of late has been that marketing your band/music online is the wave of the future, but I'm not aware of a concerted (heh) streaming approach that includes performances. Most articles I've read push distribution and marketing in the traditional mp3 sort of sense.
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This reminds me of the time when bands were experimenting with slide shows (pre-automation) run by a 'stealth' band member alla early Human League to give a multimedia edge to their presentation. With current technology, why not have a web presence with streaming concert video 'events' as the center piece to the normal mp3 / wallpaper / avant design elements.
Heck, why not have interative art featuring music and graphics based on the old quaint notion of a 'concept album' . .
-[joke removed for your safety]-
Concert attendees didn't have to pay $5 to get a beer from the fridge.
Ceci n'est pas une signature.
How different is it (live webcast) from a recorded viewing?
Actually apparently these are not even live. They are recorded daily and rebroadcast. From TFA:
Thom uses a webcam to record a nightly performance before broadcasting it on the net later in the evening. (Emphasis added.)
So actually this is just drumming up support by webcasting performances you do in your basement. Still a good idea, but as you say this is no substitute for going to a live show. Sure you save the costs of going on tour, but real music lovers will be much more willing to spend money on a live show, as compared to a low-resolution webcast.
A more interesting concept would be an actual live webcast with some measure of user-feedback. Maybe pre or post online chats/interviews with the band members? Maybe the band could take live requests? Maybe the band could adjust their performance based on the number of viewers and the demographics? ("I see alot of people logging in from London... welcome! This one is for you...").
Nothing like being in the mosh pit by yourself in front of the computer. And my mom wonders why I keep breaking all my stuff!
1st Show: Unheard of band attracts 74 brave souls. 2nd Show: Word of mouth brings 62,138 happy listeners. 3rd Show: Slashdot effects takes down your server before the show starts. 4th Show: Your still trying to pay all the extra bandwidth charges from Show #3.
Big ones, small ones, some as big as yer 'ead!
Give 'em a twist, a flick o' the wrist...
That's why I like to buy DVDs of my favorite bands performing "live" in my living room. It's all the excitement of seeing my favorite band, without having to worry about the microphones not working, and especially without the bother of other people. I can pause the performance and go pee without anyone offering me illicit drugs. If you time it right, you might even get a package deal at the FYE, where you can get a discount on a concert tshirt if you buy the DVD at the same time. AND! And the concert's in 5.1! I don't think most venues are set up to play in 5.1 surround sound yet, they're still only outputting stereo.
No one ever says, Dude, you remember watching that concert at Matt's place in 2002? That was amazing!
I am Leviathant and I approve this message.
I'm a resident of Second Life, an online virtual world. Very different than a MMORPG, it's basically an open-ended place for people to socialize, build, et cetera. Second Life is also unique in that you own the copyright of any content you create in-world. This has lead to some really creative and clever objects.
More to the point though, the phenomenon of live music has really taken hold within Second Life. There are several artist residents (Astrin Few and Flaming Moe are two I can think of) who hold regular concerts, play in virtual taverns, and overall take advantage of the relatively cultured community that exists within the world (the client supports streaming audio via ShoutCast servers). I also know of a Live Music Festival (organized by a resident named Nethermind Bliss) that will be happening this year, with both a true live venue on the east cost and a virtual venue in-world. This hybrid event will be a great opportunity to expose residents to some talented artists.
-JT
I'm sure others have done it as well.
I am interested in playing your 'living room' venue, but I have a few questions. What capacity is it? Does the band provide the DVD, or is the recording done 'in house'?
Are food and drink provided in the dressing room, or trailer?
What are your preferred set times, and who do I need to send the stage plot to?
Thanks for your attention,
teamhasnoi - The Schmoejoes
There actually are some things like this in Second Life. A few musicians play weekly concerts in the game. They set up a streaming server, get a location in world, and people show up with the avatars and listen to person playing, who is also present in world. Often on the stream they will comment on the chat between songs and take requests.
Granted the quality and flavor is that of a local bar rather then a "profesional" concert, but I found the experience to be quite unique.
..I'm giving a CONCERT!
Heh.. I'll have to remember that one.
I mean, I would have to remember it if I actually lived in my parent's basement, which I don't. I mean, if they had a basement. Uhh.
From tfa..."In the past eight days she has entertained more than 250,000 fans worldwide"
From 70, to 62000, to 250,000 listeners. What an incredible way to build a base before she (and the band) go out and do tours. This is also just what RIAA *does not want to happen*. Young unkown band gets found not by some way over paid agent of musical darkness, but by the people themselves. A great example of what the interent *can* do for the masses and the individual.
Next step for this band and others to follow; produce and deliver an Album (as in collection of songs, not vinyl) that can be offered to those 250,000+ fans and growing without ever burning one CD. TCO to the band, nada for RIAA. The biggest obstacle I would see is they (and any band) would have problems booking gigs in larger venues without greasing the wheels of the venue promoters who are most likely in the pockets of the music industry.
IAOASD (I am only a software developer) so I may only see the rose through my glasses, but this could be the mouse that roared.
Music is not bad either.
Life is a great ride, the vehicle doesn't matter