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music and mayhem
Nov. 2nd, 2009 05:34 amThis was a good weekend for musical nonsense. The Halloween party was amazing, because people came dressed in D&D garb, and we even got a few shots for a little music video project I'm working on. Much thanks to everyone who was there for their patience and assistance, and I'm really hoping we get a fun video out of it. I think we will.
Speaking of music, I've recently discovered the best music website ever. Yes, I know, some of you probably found out about it last year because I'm not always at the front of the pack on new Internet trends. Still, there's this site called the61, and it is amazing. Perhaps some of you remember Pandora radio, that site that let you make your own Internet radio stream that recommended songs for you based on your likes? Well, this site is vaguely like that, in that similar songs to what you like will be recommended. And you can also tag friends or listeners with similar taste and listen to a "station" made up of songs they've recently ranked highly.
But the real genius in this site is the achievement system. Just like XBox live, or terrible flash games, or World of Warcraft, or hell, lots of games. Only they've managed to turn listening to music into a game. You get quests, and then earn reputation (exp) and hearts by fulfilling them, listening to new songs or hot songs or a fellow listener's playlist. Then you spend hearts to rate songs you like, and earn more reputation if those songs become popular. It's pretty damned addictive, and I've found some great music I never would have found otherwise, as well as a random guy whose stuff I'd just been listening too on YouTube.
This seems like a great way for independent artists to put a few songs out there too. Perhaps those of you who make music will want to make an account and put a few songs up. I joined as Ham-STAR, but frankly, the artist profiles aren't as fun. The quest system for listeners is just totally awesome. So even if my current quest didn't tell me to invite a friend through a link, I'd still totally tell you to check it out.
Normally I wouldn't write such a long entry at arse-o'clock in the morning, but I was working on an article that is due in a few hours, and when I realized I hadn't saved in a while and tried to save, Word crashed and ate everything. So I figured I'd write a rambly LJ post about music as catharsis, because screaming loud curses would wake Debbie and my floor is too dirty to cry on.
Guess I'd best go write that article. Again.
Speaking of music, I've recently discovered the best music website ever. Yes, I know, some of you probably found out about it last year because I'm not always at the front of the pack on new Internet trends. Still, there's this site called the61, and it is amazing. Perhaps some of you remember Pandora radio, that site that let you make your own Internet radio stream that recommended songs for you based on your likes? Well, this site is vaguely like that, in that similar songs to what you like will be recommended. And you can also tag friends or listeners with similar taste and listen to a "station" made up of songs they've recently ranked highly.
But the real genius in this site is the achievement system. Just like XBox live, or terrible flash games, or World of Warcraft, or hell, lots of games. Only they've managed to turn listening to music into a game. You get quests, and then earn reputation (exp) and hearts by fulfilling them, listening to new songs or hot songs or a fellow listener's playlist. Then you spend hearts to rate songs you like, and earn more reputation if those songs become popular. It's pretty damned addictive, and I've found some great music I never would have found otherwise, as well as a random guy whose stuff I'd just been listening too on YouTube.
This seems like a great way for independent artists to put a few songs out there too. Perhaps those of you who make music will want to make an account and put a few songs up. I joined as Ham-STAR, but frankly, the artist profiles aren't as fun. The quest system for listeners is just totally awesome. So even if my current quest didn't tell me to invite a friend through a link, I'd still totally tell you to check it out.
Normally I wouldn't write such a long entry at arse-o'clock in the morning, but I was working on an article that is due in a few hours, and when I realized I hadn't saved in a while and tried to save, Word crashed and ate everything. So I figured I'd write a rambly LJ post about music as catharsis, because screaming loud curses would wake Debbie and my floor is too dirty to cry on.
Guess I'd best go write that article. Again.
