Category Archives: News & Announcements

Month In Review – April 2010

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This was a terrific month because I started my coverage of unsigned Uruguayan musicians with two posts on the band “Cínica”. The first one is an interview/profile, and the other is my own take on their music. I encourage you to give both a good look, and start learning more about what it’s like for bands in a part of the world that is probably very far away from where you live. In the end, I think you will agree that the same fire, ideals and ambition characterizes young musicians everywhere.

On the other hand, the coverage of classic artists continues with The Band being the most recent addition to MusicKO. I covered their timeless eponymous record here. Look for reviews of “Music From Big Pink” and the rest soon!

The music startups covered in April included iMusicTweet, Songr, Eyeball.fm, SingAndStudy and Earwurm.   Continue reading →

Using 2 iPads As If They Were A Turntable

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Steve Jobs and the guys at Apple were sure the iPad was going to do fine, but sales so far have proven to surpass all their expectations. People are finding more and more uses every day, and some result in the kind of press an entrepreneur can only dream about. I am thinking about the 99-year old woman who now uses the slate to read books – she suffers from glaucoma and the device lets her adapt the size of the text until she can read it comfortably. You can watch that video (now a viral hit) here.

And what’s in store for musicians? Well, the first radical usage of an iPad involves taking two of them and creating a turntable by combining both devices. The person who came up with the idea is Rana June Sobhany, well-known for her extensive coverage on mobile devices and the way they can make life easier for musicians. You can learn more about her by checking her website.

The video below shows the way the combination is done, and the results it can yield.

How Much Do Artists Who Market Their Music Online Really Earn? Read On…

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We hear so much about Lady Gaga causing an online sensation that nobody would be blamed for believing the Internet has shifted everything in ways that clearly benefit musicians. However, this study (by David McCandless) puts it all into perspective – how much an artist earns by selling a physical CD, how much by marketing his music online… It is interesting to say the least, and I advice you to give it a good perusal. Continue reading →

Move Over Suzan Boyle, The Next Sensation Is Here. He Is Named Lin Yu Chun, And He Comes From Taiwan.

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The next singing sensation has just been uncovered by “Super Star Avenue”, the Taiwanese equivalent to American Idol. Named Lin Yu Chun, he resembles the Scottish prodigy in the sense that his countenance gives just no indication of his musical prowess. Guess that makes him three times more appealing in the end.

He wowed the audience at the show (and the whole online community today) with his rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, the insanely popular theme tune from “The Bodyguard”.

Here you have the video in its entirety. I must admit that the original song had been so overplayed back in the early ‘90s that I developed a sort of allergy to it. While Lin’s version did not exactly cure it, the faithfulness of his performance is nothing short of astonishing. But I will let you judge that for yourself:

Month In Review – March 2010

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One of the most read (and sought-after) posts of the whole blog was published in March. I am talking about Merton, the impromptu piano player from ChatRoulette. I also covered the impact the parka-clad pianist had, including Ben Folds impersonating him. And speaking of viral videos, don’t forget to check the hysterical “My Mom’s On Facebook”.

March saw two new additions to the main roll of artists: Jeff Buckley and The Style Council. And I finally got around reviewing The Dukes of Startosphear’s anthology “Chips From The Chocolate Fireball”. I likewise began reviewing original soundtrack albums, with “Once” becoming the first OST to be scrutinized on the blog.

The startups that I reviewed last month included Tubeoke, Spreaker, Feeder, MusicVault, Music Matters and Relisir.

On April I am determined to start covering unsigned Uruguayan artists once and for all – the category has already been added, and that is something I have always wanted to do.

Lady Gaga Becomes The First Artist Ever To Have 1 Billion Online Video Views

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Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga

It was just to be expected. This week, Lady Gaga has become the first artist to have over 1 billion online video views. This feat was achieved on the strength of three videos alone. Quite obviously, they are “Poker Face”, “Just Dance” and “Bad Romance”. Here you have them just in case you need to do some brushing up:

Poker Face

Bad Romance

Just Dance

Love her or hate her, you can’t deny how intelligent she has been when it comes to using social media and viral videos for putting herself across.

Personally, I am not really a big fan of her music. But I recently saw her perform a duet with Elton John and I sort of softened up. Just a little.

And for those who absolutely abhor the woman, this video is a must. It is a Lady Gaga impersonator on ChatRouelette. It is hysterical and abominable at the same time. Enjoy!

The First Virtual Choir Ever Is Assembled Through YouTube

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It was just a matter of time until this came to be, I guess. Composer Eric Whitacre has put together approximately 250 videos that were submitted by users spanning more than 12 countries and come up with a full rendition of a piece titled “Lux Aurumque”.

The project has been a truly international one, as people from territories as dissimilar as the U.S., the UK, Canada, Spain,Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and The Philippines have actually lent their talents. I have attached the video below. You might like it or not, but you can’t argue that a milestone has just been reached.

Ben Folds Does A Merton Impersonation On ChatRoulette Himself

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If you thought ChatRoulette’s Merton was going to go unnoticed by other musicians, then I have some news to share with you. Singer-songwriter Ben Folds (frontman of Ben Folds Five, known for hits like “Army” and “Brick”) has just impersonated the sensation from ChatRoulette at one of his gigs.

He was playing a live concert in Charlotte (North Carolina) when he decided to pay the random chat service a visit and sing about those he came about in front of the audience.

The whole piece goes by the name of “Ode To Merton”, and you can watch it below. My favorite bit – the “If You Turn Your Head I Win” guy. What about you? Let us know in the “Comments” section!

YouTube Launches A Partner Program For Musicians In The United States

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Musicians Wanted

The power of viral video is something that can’t be downplayed. We all know that careers like Suzan Boyle’s or Justin Bieber’s would never have happened without it, nor would a musician like Butch Walker have played live with Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards weren’t it for the exposure that YouTube implies.

Aware that people are more willing than ever to join in the action, YouTube has just released a partner program. Named “Musicians Wanted” it was announced at SXSW, and for the time being it is open only to those in American soil. Obviously, that is something which is bound to change over time provided it catches on – something not that implausible or unthinkable.

So, those of you who make original music and live in the States can learn more about it here. The rest of us will have to sit back and wait… but I bet that not for long.

The Latest YouTube Viral Hit Is Here: “My Mom’s On Facebook”

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“My Mom’s On Facebook” is the most recent viral success found on YouTube. In little more than one day it managed to score 145,000 views. Created by LA comedy group Back Of The Class, it is a frankly hilarious hair metal anthem that groups together the horrors every young person who befriends his parents on Facebook has to endure, culminating in the hysterical line “It’s getting to the point I have to switch back to MySpace”.

Check it for yourself: