There has been a couple of examples of artists embracing new technology for promotion of their releases recently. Not all of them have worked out in their favour however.
For Mike Skinner’s last album as The Streets. Computers & Blues (which Day And Night critic John Meagher called “a disappointing end to what was once a singular career” last week), Skinner first released a pre-released mixtape called Cyberspace & Reds which could only be officially download by scanning a barcode on his website with an iPhone app called Mike Scanner. That puzzle led onto a barcode of a Heinz tomato soup can which unlocked mixtape downloading rights.
Following that, an interactive film featuring Skinner appeared on Youtube, in which you can control Skinner as he wakes up and goes to meet his girlfriend. The story isn’t exactly Oscar material but it’s a nice clickable series of vignettes featuring plenty of music from the album, which was probably the point.
Meanwhile in New York, rapper Lupe Fiasco, with a big hand from his rallying fans, finally managed to convince his record label Atlantic Records to release his album Lasers which was recorded two years ago. What did Lupe do to reward their efforts? He sent them on a wild goose chase… Continue Reading..»
1. Beyoncé Flash Mob
100 ‘Single Ladies’ take over Piccadilly Circus in London for an impromptu Beyoncé dance.
2. Gorillaz – Bananaz
90 minute documentary charting Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewitt’s cartoon band, Gorillaz from inception to second album gig triumphs.
http://tinyurl.com/gorillazdoc
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