One to Watch (1 2 Watch): Azealia Banks

So here it is, my first blog post. This is absolutely a trial run, and is above all an attempt at trying to find some sort of unique ‘internet voice’ that might resonate with our audience.

I have tried to include some audiovisual elements, given the online medium practically demands them. I have also developed a piece under the ‘One to Watch’ banner, which (as we will explore at a later point in this research blog) is designed to add an element of human interest to our project.

Despite this being the internet, I feel I should probably warn that the following artist does make [extensive] use of expletive-laden language. Read on if you dare...

Azealia Banks.

It’s a problem faced by many young artists: how do you make your break, when your music doesn’t fit into the family friendly brief required by many commercial record labels?

For Azaelia Banks, Harlem’s hoodlum heir to the female hip-hop throne, the answer was simple. Release your debut single and film-clip online, in a space where anything goes.

Hard to believe she is just 21 years old, Banks’ first foray into the online music world came in 2010 with her demo-track“L8R”, released on Youtube. It was through this forum that Banks began to develop a small yet loyal following.

In March of 2011, Banks masterstroke struck, with her debut single “212”. Released as a free download on her personal website, the song was well received by existing followers. A further utilization of the Youtube platform – when Banks released the “212” film clip in September of 2011 – sent the song viral.

                                          

                                              WARNING! Foul language ahead.

When a song’s whose most obviously notable feature is a use of the word c***, it’s difficult to imagine any forum, other than the internet, in which it might have become quite so successful.

For Banks, the internet proved the perfect platform from which to gain serious recognition, whilst staying true to her potty-mouthed ways. Unsurprisingly, her online hype lead to a very real contract with none other than Interscope Records.

So for any of you prospective musicians out there who, like Azealia already has, are aiming to feature on the NME “Cool List” within a few months of your first major debut, give the internet a thought.

And whilst I don’t necessarily condone expletive language, I’m not saying it will hurt, either.

You can find out more about Azealia on her personal website: http://www.azealiabanks.com/
Or follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azealiabanksmusic 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AZEALIABANKS

Some interesting articles on how music artists struggle to make money over the internet:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/how-musicians-really-make-money-in-one-long-graph/249267/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-22/artist-anger-as-spotify-launches-in-australia/4026998

Save the Vinyl

 It seems that we are not the only ones interested about music in the digital age. We just came across some very interesting sites discussing similar issues that we will be addressing in our project:

1.  Interesting feature on the Guardian website about music in the digital age. 
2. Save the Vinyl campaign: "Maybe pre-recorded mixes using software will be played, and no further human feeling and creativity will be needed, so what will the djs be there for?"

We hope to contact the creators of the Save the Vinyl campaign for our online feature. They will surely have a lot to say.

In the meantime, enjoy this tune from a band whose initial success is owed entirely to the internet: The Arctic Monkeys.

Publishing Houses

So we are wel into planning our feature project and it is now time to look at relevant publications for it.

The most relevant publications are those that are in the field of music/entertainment journalism:

1. Sydney Morning Herald Entertainment/Music Page: The Herald has extensive coverage of local and international music in its entertainment/music section. Given that they also have multimedia features, our project, with a combination of photos, videos and articles would work very well. 
2. Rolling Stone Magazine: Perhaps the most well known music magazine, Rolling Stone covers all genres of music. Given that we have gotten access to international artists for the project, it would fit well in Rolling Stone. 

There are a few other music orientated magazines like Resident Advisor, but the above two would be most relevant given they combine journalism and entertainment.

Production is soon to begin. Keep your eyes posted! Is the internet really killing music?

Youtube proves the perfect Hip-Hop hype machine

Keith Cozart, better known by hip hop fans as Chief Keef, is an American rapper out of Chicago, Illinois.

After turning 17 on August 15th of this year, Chief Keef has already amassed millions of views on his youtube channel. However, the story behind his success is relatively unheard of. In December of last year, at just 15 years of age, Chief Keef was involved in a shoot out with police that saw him put under 2 months of house arrest. He spent this time at his grandmother's house. During this period he produced a song and subsequent video under the title 'Bang'. The video went viral among Chicago's highschools and from there Chief Keef's hype grew by the day.

However, the aspiring rapper came to prominence after his video entitled 'I Don't Like', released in March this year, gained the attention of hip-hop mogul Kanye West.  'I Don't Like' and its subsequent remix, produced by Kanye West, have amassed over 25 million views combined in 5 months.

Although, many question the lyrical content and overall talent of Chief Keef himself it is hard to deny the hype surrounding the Chicago native. 

Japanese bass producer, ENA, offers his thoughts on the internet music industry......

We spoke with ENA, an upcoming bass music producer residing in Tokyo, about how to gain success on the internet. He did not seem to be greatly concerned with the piracy moral panic that is currently engulfing many across the globe. For those who are panicking about the internet, have a read of this short interview with ENA - it might just restore some hope!

Q: In what ways is the internet harming or helping musicians?
ENA: "There is no border in Internet world. Even though I am Japanese and living in Tokyo, it is easy to contact people who are living in Europe and the US. The more people who have access to my music, the better.
Of course there is the bad side of there being many copying and piracy issues. But even before the internet, there were many bootleg copies of CD's being sold in shops and on the street. I think it is almost the same as before."


Q: What are some tips you would give to emerging artists to get their music well known on the internet?
ENA: "Communication is the most important thing. Treat people you know on the internet the same way you would if you were in physical contact with them. Soundcloud and beatport are great for this. And when you are sending around music, don't just send the URL. Make sure there is a thumbnail attached to it so it doesn't just look like spam email."

Thanks for your time ENA! Here's a link to one of his songs: ENA: Country Dub. Warning - the bass may cause unexpected bodily functions.

True North - fighting mediocrity

Listen to True North's single Klopfgeist from his debut EP Bespoke.

If you dig that track click here to listen to the whole EP. You can also buy a digital copy, it is by donation so the price is up to you!

At just 21 years old, True North is producing music well beyond his years. Cooper Doyle ( True North) makes ambient bass music. And it's good. In an era where any rich kid with a MacBook Pro and an internet connection is producing and posting electronic music, it is often hard to find the good amongst the bad and downright ugly.

True North however need not worry. Still in his early stages, you can just tell that he isn't going to fade away after initial success, but will become a staple in the Sydney music scene.

We are going to catch up with True North in the next couple of days to talk about how he uses Soundcloud to promote and sell his music. Stay tuned and you will hear all about it.

If you have not heard of SoundCloud then I can only assume that you have been kidnapped by the Amish . If you haven't, do yourself a favor and start an account. Be prepared to do a heap of sifting, many who should refrain from posting music find a hard time doing so. We will do our best to give you our picks of the week, but you will have the most fun venturing without a guide!


Start Exploring

Through the Doors of Online Music

So the topic is decided: the online music world in its whole enormity.

We will investigate how the online sphere is helping and/or harming those in the music industry. We will speak to already established artists, upcoming artists, local record labels and bigger industry bodies like MusicNSW and FBI Radio. For all those upcoming artists, we will also have a guide to help navigate the complex online music world and find success!

For a warm up, XXYYXX is a 16 yr old from Orlando, Florida who is a prime example of the internet helping musicians. Producing beats out of his bedroom, his music spread online and has achieved millions of views on youtube. Hopefully we will be lucky enough to speak to him for the project.

XXYYXX: About You