#playlist will be available on Apple Music upon release

[multifairyus]

Punkflower Playlist Title Workshopping 🎧✨

Phase 2 of my playlist making process has begun, sorting into bins. Things will really pick up since I have a sense of the timeline now.

I’ve yet to figure out a name for Act III and if I wanna do an Act IV yet. But, here’s Act I

“Swinging 5 Feet Apart” and “Just Spiders Being Men” are under consideration to make it a lil more unique—feel like the later will be more easily understood?

I anticipate this playlist being where the musical genres are the most varied, since it has quite a bit of ground narrative to cover (initial meeting, the Spider Society betrayal, Gwen, sharing fears and traumas and comforting each other).

Act II is where all plausible deniability is completely dropped and OH do Iove it.

Tbh I’m pretty satisfied with this title. Making it singular like the reference wouldn’t be accurate since they’re mutually down bad for the other…speaking of which.

Why has nobody talked about the Sunflower Remix in regards to Punkflower?? The translation, the beat? The narrative setup and payoff when the playlist finally gets to the original Sunflower, what then?

Kthxbai

💖 Fairy

[beatverse1]

The Ultimate Guide to Uploading Your Music on Gaana and Other Platforms

The music industry has evolved dramatically in the digital age, offering artists unprecedented opportunities to reach global audiences. Among the platforms leading this revolution is Gaana, one of India’s largest music streaming services, with millions of active users. If you're a musician looking to expand your reach, understanding how to upload your music on Gaana on multiple platforms is essential. This guide provides you with actionable steps to ensure your music is not only uploaded but optimized for maximum exposure.

Why Gaana Matters for Emerging Artists

Gaana has cemented itself as a go-to streaming service, particularly in India and the South Asian market. Its massive user base includes diverse listeners who are eager to discover new music. For independent artists, Gaana provides an incredible opportunity to tap into a market that values both traditional and contemporary sounds. The ability to upload your music on Gaana on multiple platforms ensures you’re not only reaching this market but also building a global presence.

Uploading your tracks to Gaana isn't just about having your music heard; it’s about growing a loyal fanbase. Gaana’s intuitive interface, curated playlists, and personalized recommendations make it easy for listeners to stumble upon your work. By leveraging this platform alongside others, you maximize your chances of being discovered.

The Power of Multi-Platform Music Distribution

In the era of streaming, being present on just one platform isn't enough. While Gaana connects you to a specific audience, uploading your music to multiple platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music amplifies your reach. Each platform has its unique features and audience demographics, meaning you can cater to different listener preferences and grow your fanbase across regions.

Multi-platform distribution also ensures that your music is accessible to users regardless of their preferred service. A fan might hear your song on Gaana, but when they switch to another app, they expect to find your music there too. This seamless availability creates a professional image and encourages repeat listening, which is crucial for building traction.

How to Upload Your Music on Gaana

Uploading your music to Gaana requires partnering with a distribution service. Companies like TuneCore, DistroKid, and CD Baby act as intermediaries, ensuring your music is delivered to Gaana and other platforms efficiently. Here’s how to get started:

Choose a Distribution Service Research and select a service that suits your needs and budget. Many offer multi-platform distribution, which simplifies the process of uploading your music to Gaana and other platforms simultaneously.

Prepare Your Tracks Ensure your music is finalized, with professional-quality recordings and mastering. Poor-quality audio can detract from your appeal, regardless of platform.

Complete Metadata Metadata includes details like your song title, artist name, genre, and release date. Optimizing your metadata is crucial for discoverability on Gaana and other platforms.

Upload and Review Use your distributor’s platform to upload your tracks, input metadata, and specify platforms for release. Double-check all information before submission to avoid errors.

Promote Your Music Once your music is live, spread the word. Share links to your Gaana page on social media, and encourage fans to follow you and add your songs to their playlists.

Building a Comprehensive Music Distribution Strategy

Uploading your music is just one piece of the puzzle. To make the most of Gaana and other platforms, you need a solid distribution strategy. Start by understanding your target audience. For instance, if you create Bollywood-inspired tracks, Gaana’s audience is an ideal fit. On the other hand, global platforms like Spotify may require a different approach to attract listeners.

Use analytics to your advantage. Platforms like Gaana and Spotify offer detailed insights into your audience's demographics, listening habits, and geographic locations. This data can guide your promotional efforts and help you refine your content strategy.

Don’t underestimate the power of playlists. Getting your music featured on curated playlists, whether on Gaana or other platforms, can significantly boost your visibility. Reach out to playlist curators and submit your tracks for consideration.

Tools and Services to Simplify Multi-Platform Uploads

Handling uploads to multiple platforms can seem overwhelming, but there are tools designed to simplify this process. Distribution services like TuneCore and DistroKid allow you to upload your tracks once and distribute them to Gaana, Spotify, Apple Music, and many more with a single submission.

Additionally, these services often handle royalty payments and provide analytics, making it easier for you to focus on creating music rather than managing logistics. Many also offer promotional tools, such as pre-save links, that help build anticipation for your releases.

Maximizing the Benefits of Uploading Your Music on Gaana

Uploading your music to Gaana and other platforms isn’t just about increasing your reach—it’s about establishing your brand as an artist. To maximize your impact, ensure your online presence is cohesive. Use the same artist name, profile picture, and branding across platforms. This consistency makes it easier for fans to find and recognize you.

Engage with your audience by responding to comments, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and creating a personal connection. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are great for building rapport with fans, which can drive traffic to your Gaana profile.

Another tip is to release music consistently. Whether it’s a single every few months or an album once a year, regular releases keep your audience engaged and eager for more. Promote each release heavily, using all available channels to drive streams and build momentum.

Why Start Today?

The digital music landscape is more competitive than ever, but it’s also brimming with opportunities. By choosing to upload your music on Gaana on multiple platforms, you position yourself for success in a global marketplace. Platforms like Gaana offer a direct line to listeners who are eager for fresh, innovative sounds. When combined with the reach of other services, your music has the potential to resonate with fans worldwide.

Take the first step today. Prepare your tracks, choose a distribution service, and start building your musical legacy. The world is ready to listen—are you ready to be heard?

Related Articles:

For further reading, explore these related articles:

Upload your music on Gaana with no upfront fees

Upload your music on Gaana quickly

Upload your music on Gaana with 100% royalties

Upload your music on Gaana without paying fees

For additional resources on music marketing and distribution, visit Deliver My Tune.

[jranimator]

Finding Hidden Gems: Tips for Music Enthusiasts

In a world overflowing with music, discovering hidden gems has become both a challenge and an adventure for enthusiasts. With millions of tracks available on various platforms, finding that one song or artist that resonates deeply can be immensely satisfying. Fortunately, digital tools and platforms today make it easier than ever to uncover new music, whether it's by exploring DSP songs or recognizing a tune heard on social media. This guide provides practical tips and insights to help you enhance your music discovery journey.

The Power of DSP Songs Digital Service Providers (DSPs) have revolutionized how we consume music. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal curate DSP songs to ensure a seamless listening experience. These platforms rely on algorithms to recommend tracks based on listening history, preferences, and trends. By exploring DSP songs, listeners can tap into curated playlists tailored for specific moods, genres, or activities. To get started, dive into the "Discover Weekly" or "Release Radar" playlists available on Spotify, which use DSP technology to highlight tracks you may have never encountered otherwise.

Harnessing Snapchat for Music Discovery Have you ever stumbled upon a catchy tune in a Snapchat story but struggled to identify it? Snapchat's music recognition feature, powered by Shazam, is a game-changer. Knowing how to find a song from Snapchat can save you the frustration of endless searches. Simply press and hold the screen while the music plays, and Snapchat will identify the track in seconds. Once identified, you can directly explore the artist's catalog on streaming platforms. This tool is especially helpful for uncovering emerging artists and trending tracks featured in user stories and snaps.

Exploring How Much Spotify Pays Per Play Understanding the economics of streaming platforms adds depth to your music discovery experience. When diving into a new artist’s catalog, you might wonder about the revenue they earn from your streams. Platforms like Spotify have varying payout models, with intricate details about how much does Spotify pay per play. On average, Spotify pays between $0.003 to $0.005 per stream, which means artists often rely on high play counts to earn significant income. By exploring lesser-known artists and supporting them by streaming their music, you contribute to their growth in a competitive industry.

Using Audoimac to Enhance Audio Discovery For audiophiles, sound quality plays a crucial role in the music experience. Audoimac is a tool designed to enhance audio quality, ensuring clarity and depth in every track. Whether you’re using it for professional mixing or personal enjoyment, Audoimac can make discovering hidden gems even more rewarding. The tool's ability to optimize sound enhances the nuances of new tracks, allowing listeners to appreciate subtle instrumental details and vocal arrangements that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Submitting Playlists to Spotify If you’ve curated a collection of hidden gems, why not share it with the world? Learning how to submit playlist to Spotify can help showcase your music tastes to a broader audience. Spotify allows users to pitch playlists to their editorial team, increasing the chances of being featured on official platforms. This not only introduces your favorite hidden gems to others but also supports the artists you love by amplifying their reach.

Leveraging Social Media for Discovery Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are treasure troves for discovering fresh tracks. Viral challenges, influencer recommendations, and trending reels often feature songs that gain popularity overnight. Following music-focused accounts or hashtags can help you stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, platforms like Reddit have dedicated communities where users share their favorite hidden gems across genres.

Creating Personalized Playlists Building personalized playlists tailored to specific moods or occasions can uncover recurring themes or artists in your musical preferences. For example, creating a "calm mornings" playlist might lead you to discover soothing tracks by indie artists. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music offer tools to create and share playlists, making it easy to revisit and refine your discoveries.

Exploring Genres Outside Your Comfort Zone Sometimes, the best way to find hidden gems is to step out of your musical comfort zone. If you typically listen to pop, try exploring jazz, classical, or global music genres. Streaming platforms often have dedicated sections for world music, where you can find artists and songs that bring fresh perspectives to your listening experience.

Taking Advantage of Music Blogs and Communities Music blogs remain an underrated source for discovering new tracks and artists. Many blogs focus on niche genres or up-and-coming artists, offering reviews, recommendations, and curated playlists. Participating in online music communities and forums can also provide access to diverse recommendations from fellow enthusiasts.

Using Playlists for Networking Sharing playlists is a powerful way to connect with others who have similar tastes. By sharing curated playlists on platforms like Spotify, you can engage with a community of listeners who appreciate your choices. This not only amplifies your reach but also increases the likelihood of discovering new tracks shared by others in return.

Final Thoughts The journey to uncovering hidden musical gems is both thrilling and rewarding. From exploring DSP songs to leveraging tools like Audoimac, the possibilities are endless. By utilizing social media, diving into music blogs, and even creating playlists, you can immerse yourself in the rich and diverse world of music. So, start exploring today—you never know which song might become your next favorite.

What’s your favorite way to discover hidden music gems? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!

[music-dmt]

The Complete Guide to Digital Music Success

Thriving in the music industry today requires a multi-platform approach, leveraging both traditional methods and innovative digital tools to reach and engage audiences effectively. For many artists, understanding the intricacies of platforms like Apple Music and YouTube can make a significant difference in their career trajectory.

Maximizing Reach on Apple Music

One of the key strategies for success on digital platforms is to enhance visibility and listener engagement. Apple Music offers several tools and features designed to help artists achieve this, notably through its playlist system. By understanding how to Maximize Your Reach with Apple Music Playlists, artists can position their music in front of more potential fans, increasing streams and followers. This involves curating music that aligns with the thematic and stylistic preferences of various playlists, making tracks more likely to be picked up by Apple Music’s editorial team.

Monetizing Your Music

Beyond just reaching new listeners, it's essential for artists to capitalize financially on their music. Monetizing your music on Apple Music involves several avenues, from direct streams and downloads to royalties from radio plays and usage in public venues. Artists need to understand the different revenue streams available and how to optimize their music’s metadata to ensure it is trackable and monetizable across all platforms.

Utilizing the Apple Music for Artists App

To effectively track the performance of their music and understand listener demographics, artists can use the Apple Music for Artists App. This tool provides detailed analytics on who is listening to their music, what playlists are driving the most plays, and how their songs perform over time. By analyzing this data, artists can make informed decisions about promotional strategies, tour locations, and even songwriting focuses based on fan preferences.

Enhancing Album Launches with Pre-Adds

Album launches are pivotal moments for any artist, and Apple Music’s feature of Pre-Adds on Apple Music allows fans to commit to an album before it releases. This not only builds anticipation but also boosts the album's performance on its release date through accumulated plays. Effective use of pre-adds can lead to higher chart positions and greater exposure upon release.

Mastering YouTube's Algorithm

In addition to audio platforms, video remains a powerful medium for music promotion. Understanding view velocity and its impact on YouTube trends can greatly enhance an artist's visibility. View velocity refers to the rate at which a video gains views in the hours immediately following its release. High velocity can trigger YouTube’s algorithm to promote a video more widely, increasing its reach and potential to go viral. Therefore, timing releases to maximize initial viewership, engaging with fans through comments, and promoting videos via other social media platforms are critical strategies.

Cross-Platform Promotion Strategies

To truly succeed in the digital music landscape, artists must adopt a cross-platform approach. This includes synchronizing releases across all available platforms, using social media to drive traffic to music videos and streaming platforms, and engaging directly with fans through live streams, Q&A sessions, and exclusive content releases. Moreover, collaborations with other artists can expand reach and tap into new fan bases, providing mutual benefits in exposure.

Conclusion

The music industry's digital frontier is both challenging and rewarding. By strategically using tools provided by platforms like Apple Music and YouTube, artists can not only enhance their visibility and engagement but also significantly increase their revenue streams. Success in this arena requires a combination of creative marketing, savvy use of digital tools, and genuine engagement with fans. With the right approach, artists can navigate this complex landscape to build a sustainable and prosperous music career.

[music-industry-updates]

Music Distribution Platforms: Free vs. Paid Options

In the age of digital transformation, music distribution platforms have become game-changers for independent artists, enabling them to reach global audiences without relying on traditional record labels. Once upon a time, breaking into the music industry required massive resources, industry connections, and, most importantly, a record deal. Today, the rise of platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube has revolutionized how artists share their music and interact with listeners. For independent musicians, this evolution in technology has leveled the playing field, allowing them to chart new paths in their careers. But how exactly are these platforms reshaping the future of independent artists, and what are the key factors that make them so powerful?

The Rise of Digital Distribution:

Digital distribution refers to the process of making music available across multiple online platforms. Instead of physically producing records or CDs, artists can now upload their music digitally, reaching a vast audience in a matter of minutes. This ease of distribution is one of the primary reasons why independent artists are flourishing in the modern music landscape.

Before the digital era, artists had to invest heavily in physical production and distribution, which was expensive and often limited to a particular geographic region. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and others have effectively eliminated these barriers. Independent artists can now distribute their music to a global audience without incurring massive overhead costs.

These platforms also provide access to a variety of analytics and promotional tools, which help artists understand their audience, improve their music marketing strategies, and boost their reach.

Empowering Artists with Greater Control:

One of the most significant advantages of using music distribution platforms is the control they offer artists. In the traditional record label model, artists often had to give up creative and financial control in exchange for distribution and promotion. Labels would own the master rights to the music, leaving artists with only a small percentage of the profits.

However, independent artists who use digital distribution platforms retain complete ownership of their music. This allows them to have more control over their careers, from how their music is marketed to how they engage with fans. The direct relationship between the artist and the audience eliminates the need for intermediaries, giving artists the freedom to make decisions about their artistic direction and release schedules.

Furthermore, music distribution platforms allow for flexibility. Artists can release singles, EPs, or full albums whenever they like, bypassing the lengthy release processes typically associated with traditional labels. This freedom allows them to stay relevant and respond quickly to trends or fan demand.

Playlists: The Modern Day Radio for Independent Artists:

One of the most significant ways in which music distribution platforms are reshaping the future of independent artists is through playlisting. Playlists are the modern equivalent of radio for music discovery. Platforms like Spotify have playlists curated both by algorithmic systems and human editors, giving independent artists a chance to be featured alongside established names.

Landing a spot on a popular playlist can significantly boost an artist’s visibility and stream count, leading to more followers and fans. Some independent artists have even gone viral after their music was added to a highly popular playlist. Unlike radio stations that typically favor major label releases, playlists on digital platforms are more democratized. Algorithms consider factors such as engagement, listening patterns, and likes, which means that if an independent artist’s song resonates with listeners, it has a good chance of gaining traction organically.

In addition to curated playlists, many platforms offer users the ability to create and share their own playlists. This user-generated content can serve as a powerful promotional tool for independent artists, as fans actively contribute to spreading their music.

Case Studies: Success Stories of Independent Artists:

Many independent artists have successfully leveraged digital music distribution platforms to launch their careers and gain global recognition. One of the most notable examples is Chance the Rapper. Refusing to sign with any record label, Chance distributed his music for free on streaming platforms, and in 2017, he became the first independent artist to win a Grammy without selling physical copies of his music. His success story illustrates the power of digital platforms in empowering independent artists to build their fanbase and grow their careers.

Similarly, Billie Eilish, although now associated with a major label, initially gained recognition through SoundCloud. Her debut single “Ocean Eyes” went viral, thanks to the platform’s ability to reach a broad, diverse audience. This success story showcases how digital distribution platforms can help undiscovered artists get noticed without industry connections or extensive marketing budgets.

The Role of Social Media Integration:

Digital distribution platforms don’t exist in isolation. They often integrate seamlessly with social media platforms, further amplifying an artist’s reach. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music allow users to share their favorite tracks directly to Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, enabling artists to reach new fans through organic sharing. Social media also allows artists to promote their latest releases and engage directly with their audience, creating a sense of community and fostering loyalty among fans.

For example, artists can use social media to announce their upcoming releases, share snippets of their new tracks, or promote exclusive content such as live performances. The integration between distribution and social platforms helps artists increase their visibility, drive traffic to their streaming profiles, and build a more dedicated following.

Challenges to Consider:

While music distribution platforms provide many benefits to independent artists, there are challenges to navigate. The market is increasingly saturated, with millions of tracks uploaded to platforms every week. This can make it difficult for artists to stand out and gain traction.

Additionally, while these platforms provide global reach, they also come with the challenge of balancing algorithmic promotion with genuine fan engagement. Some artists may find that their music performs well with algorithms, but maintaining long-term fan loyalty requires consistent quality and connection.

Conclusion:

Music distribution platforms have revolutionized the music industry by leveling the playing field for independent artists. With global reach, flexible release options, and access to valuable analytics, artists now have the tools to grow their careers without relying on traditional record labels. While challenges remain, the success stories of artists like Chance the Rapper and Billie Eilish highlight the potential these platforms offer to independent musicians. As digital platforms continue to evolve, independent artists will likely remain at the forefront of this musical revolution, shaping the future of the industry.

[jefelen-presents]

"Echo 8" (2024)

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 (01:23) JEFELEN was excited to serve as Associate Producer for Phoenix Eye™ on their adrenaline-fueled Australian/Hong Kong action-thriller, "Echo 8", which was co-directed AND stars Maria Trần & Takashi Hara, featuring fight choreography by Adrian Castro, and based upon an original screenplay by Elizabeth H. Vu, with the completed feature now having been released to the general public!

http://www.echo8movie.com/about

A highly-trained assassin, codenamed 'ECHO 8', is sent into a residential home for a covert mission. But instead of emerging victorious, she finds her path riddled with unanswered questions and telling lies. As she continues to uncover the true identity of her target and the reason behind the mission, she comes to realise that some secrets cannot remain buried forever...

Distributed by Filmhub™, the movie is available to rent or purchase digitally through Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVKJCY91

With additional streaming platforms to follow in due course...

#PhoenixEye #Echo8 #MariaTran #TakashiHara #TheKeyToTheFuture #LiesInThePast #AvailableNOW

BREAK!!**

{X}

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 (12:34) As previously promoted here:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=6114086485289103&id=100000634350634

With more news to follow...

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 (23:45) Among its credentials, "Echo 8" features the soulfully uplifting theme, "Don't Break Me Down", by Sydney singer-songwriter, Tina Alcorace:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/wgxz5iebk1I?vq=hd720&rel=0...

The track itself is available for purchase directly through Rise Academy of Music™:

http://www.riseacademyofmusic.com/…/never-break-me-down…

Conversely, the single can also be streamed via the following digital audio providers:

Apple Music™: http://music.apple.com/album/1561018839

Amazon Music™: http://music.amazon.com/albums/B091G1CS9L

YouTube™: http://music.youtube.com/playlist…

Deezer™: http://www.deezer.com/album/219195162

Last.fm™: http://www.last.fm/music/Tina+Alcorace/Never+Break+Me+Down

Pandora™: http://www.pandora.com/ALf97wgkhnf5wm6

Spotify™: http://open.spotify.com/album/77YyLyG5QSSdLFPdtAvMMC

Do yourself a favour and give it a listen...

Saturday, March 30th, 2024 (12:34) And the number of viewing options continues to expand -- "Echo 8" can now be freely streamed through the following electronic providers:

Vesta Stream™: http://www.vestastream.com/movie/echo-8

Reveel™: http://www.reveel.net/programs/1303520/echo-8

Tubi™: http://www.tubitv.com/movies/100018697/echo-8

Even right here in Australia! Will keep you posted of further availability in future...

Friday, May 10th, 2024 (23:45) A little insight into the making of this movie:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/M38QHKFEPoE?vq=hd720&rel=0…

But that's not the end of it -- exciting news is that Phoenix Eye™ have enterprising launched an Indiegogo™ crowdfunding campaign with the intention of raising the production budget for not just a sequel, but a PREQUEL as well!

http://www.indiegogo.com/…/the-echo-8-trilogy-action…

That's a two-for-the-price-of-one opportunity, folks! So, if you'd like to see >more< of the "Echo 8" narrative universe, now's your chance to actively help make that happen -- come join the community! #FiveByFive #Echo8Beyond #MeetTheTeamJoinTheTeam

{X}

Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 (12:34) Furthermore, "Echo 8" is additionally available to stream via the following platforms:

YouTube™: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAZW6HkINEE

Apple TV™: http://tv.apple.com/movie/umc.cmc.5z2fche3d787c1dhtlma4kpwg

Fubo™: http://www.fubo.tv/welcome/program/MV021890730000

The roster continues to expand!

[the-cash-cow]

Reshaping Music Diversity: The Influence of Music Applications

In a world buzzing with tunes, the digital landscape has become the fertile ground for music lovers. No longer confined by physical CDs or local radio, the era of music apps has dawned upon us, revolutionizing how we access, discover, and experience music.

The Evolution of Musical Accessibility

Gone are the days of flipping through stacks of CDs or tapes. Music applications have become the one-stop-shop for diverse melodies. With a plethora of genres and artists at our fingertips, these apps have bridged the gap between music aficionados and their desired tunes.

Music Apps: A Gateway to Musical Diversity

The beauty of these apps lies not just in their convenience but in their ability to introduce us to the diverse spectrum of music. From classical Indian ragas to contemporary global beats, the options are endless. Embracing such variety enriches our musical journey, opening doors to new cultures and sounds.

Also Read: Top 10 Classic Rock Songs Every Music Lover Must Hear

Navigating the World of Ad-Free Music

One of the significant perks these applications offer is ad-free music. No more interruptions disrupting the soulful flow of melodies. This feature ensures an uninterrupted musical experience, making each listening session an immersive journey.

Exploring Morning Playlists: A Fresh Start

As we wake up to greet the day, the morning playlist sets the tone for what lies ahead. Several apps curate playlists specifically for the morning vibe, blending soothing melodies or energizing beats to kickstart the day on a harmonious note.

The Quest for the Best Music Downloader

Finding the best music downloader has become a priority for many. The convenience of downloading tracks for offline listening has reshaped how we enjoy music on the go. Exploring these download features in various apps becomes crucial for a seamless musical experience.

Also Read: Find Your Next Favorite Podcasts With These Apps

Discovering Diverse Music Apps in India

India boasts a vibrant music scene, and the availability of music apps caters to this diversity. Here's a list of noteworthy applications:

1. Gaana: Offering a vast collection of Indian and international tracks, Gaana stands out for its diverse playlists.

2. Wynk Music: Known for its regional language selections, Wynk Music provides an extensive library catering to various Indian languages.

3. Amazon Music: With its ad-free interface for Prime subscribers, Amazon Music provides a seamless musical experience.

4. Apple Music: Embracing a global perspective, Apple Music offers a wide range of genres and exclusive releases.

5. Hungama Music: Known for its handcrafted morning playlists, Hungama Music caters to various moods and moments.

6. YouTube Music: With its vast video library, YouTube Music allows users to explore music visually while curating morning playlists for a refreshing start.

Conclusion

Music applications have become the modern-day jukebox, reshaping how we perceive and consume music. With their diverse offerings and ad-free experiences, they have woven a musical tapestry that connects individuals beyond boundaries, fostering a global symphony of sounds. Embrace the diversity, explore the options, and let the melodies guide your journey through the harmonious realm of music.

[wisterianerium]

Watashinokoko song archival effort

It was only in early 2021 when I listened to Kazuhumi Yosu’s first musical project, kesson shoujo through Spotify. Childhood in Housing Complex remains one of Yosu’s more popular albums this is due to how available it is, being found in almost every streaming service on earth. This is the only one of Yosu’s works that has made its way to services like Spotify or Apple Music. 

Many people who have listened to Childhood in Housing Complex aren’t aware of other kesson shoujo albums or have even heard of watashinokoko, many of these releases are pretty obscure. It has been my aim for the past 6 months or so, to track down these releases and archive them through Youtube so other fans can enjoy them.

The first album Yosu made under the kessonshoujo name is an-min, a dark ambient work which includes tracks that would later be reworked into hue drone. It was published through defunct netlabel CMBCMW (Call Me Bitch Cut My Wrist Records) which were so kind to upload them to archive.org, it was quite easy to find but it wasn’t uploaded into Youtube so I went ahead and did it.

https://archive.org/details/CMBCMW010

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4AhnFTdGsVmsSQ9nWwml5TNxItW2-rq-

The second album is Childhood in Housing Complex also published through CMBCMW. A Portuguese netlabel took it upon itself to upload it to every major (and not-so major) streaming service and various free music archives. No idea if Yosu is aware of this, but you can find it pretty much everywhere.

https://archive.org/details/childhood_in_housing_complex-15438

The first EP is LaLa Sings which marks the first time Yosu began to use LaLaVoice as the singer of his songs. It contains iconic songs which would later be included in many albums and compilations yet to come. It was uploaded into Archive.org and can be found in Youtube, but I went ahead and uploaded every song separately so people in Lastfm could scrobble them.

https://archive.org/details/CMBCMW016

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4AhnFTdGsVnmVDTbP6nx8LERfhlIpp01

The last kesson shoujo album before Yosu dropped the moniker was  わたしのココ. It was trickier to find and many people aren’t aware of its existence since it would later be re-released. I found it through a lastfm comment before realizing  that you could also find it through archive.org. It wasn’t on Youtube so I uploaded it there.

https://archive.org/details/watashinokoko

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4AhnFTdGsVkzRAr-7lfL239P4cTwWi8S

The transition era between Kesson Shoujo and Watashinokoko is much less documented. What I could gather, after the name change Yosu would began to release songs through MySpace, yet not many people archived those songs, so they could have been . It was through sheer luck that I found a fairly recent Youtube video about someone recommending Watashinokoko which had an earlier version of the music video from disgrace/わたしと歩いていると恥ずかしいの. 

So I searched through EVERY Youtube video that was related to Watashinokoko and found that same music video, the uploader linked a MediaFire folder which contained old videos, the MySpace EPs, prototype songs and two unreleased songs. These had only been downloaded a couple of times since they were uploaded in 2011, so I reuploaded them into archive.org and Youtube

https://archive.org/details/WatashinokokoEPs (sadly the filenames got corrupted)

https://archive.org/details/watashinokokodrafts

https://archive.org/details/watashinokokovideos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4AhnFTdGsVkXvjNjH4iC9yUjjD0GHadr

From there Yosu began to release albums through the defunct UGUU netlabel, many of these are the same ones which would later be uploaded into Bandcamp without any changes after UGUU’s site went down.

I should note that according to mirror sites, Yosu had a Facebook account or page (no idea what he uploaded there) and found he currently has a Pixiv account. 

https://www.pixiv.net/en/users/93380 

It was through Pixiv that I found the answer to the question that every Watashinokoko fan must have asked themselves at least once.... What does the self-proclaimed sister does? She appears to be the protagonist of her own series of art and short stories on which she goes through surreal scenarios alongside her teddy bear which may or may not be actually alive and protects her from evil spirits. We still don’t know whose’s sister she is.

Please donate to Yosu’s Fanbox or buy his albums for his amazing work.

[tinyplanetss]

how does one get into the mechanisms?

that is a great question! i Also had to ask when i first got into them so im gonna link you to this post which has some great explanations in the notes. but also, ill just give you a quick summary from my own brain!

personally, what i did was listen to all 4 story albums in chronological order (like the order of real world release; the flow of time doesnt really matter with these space pirates) via a streaming service (apple music, spotify, youtube, and probably a couple other places). the order is once upon a time (in space), ulysses dies at dawn, high noon over camelot, and then the bifrost incident. each album is about an hour long, and i would suggest doing your first listen in one sitting per album (just for the sake of keeping the flow of the story going). then streaming services will also have tales to be told vol. 2, which is a collection of songs that are either standalone stories, backstories for the mechanisms themselves, or songs that fit into the worlds of the 4 story albums. additionally, tales to be told vol. 1 (as well as the single frankenstein) are only available on their bandcamp. death to the mechanisms is also only available on bandcamp, which is a live recording of their final performance (which happened in february). i would definitely listen to that last.

and thats just the music itself! they also have short stories and notes on their website (introducing each member, and fiction about the worlds or the mechanisms and lore) which are fun to read and they give more insight into the worlds and the character relationships and stuff. its pretty neat!

also also! theres a decent handful of recordings from their live performances, so ill link you to a playlist with their stuff! but also just searching "the mechanisms" on youtube will give you some fun stuff. its nice to see what they look like (they do costuming and the performances are all in character so its lovely) and also just to hear their banter on stage and stuff.

that was not short! sorry! but theyre super amazing and unique and i love them

[nuclearblastuk]

MUNICIPAL WASTE | Band announce new EP + release official video for 'Wave Of Death'

BAND ANNOUNCE THE LAST RAGER EP + RELEASE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR 'WAVE OF DEATH' PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE HERE: nuclearblast.com/municipalwaste-thelastrager

Partiers, you've been taught the 'Art' and now it is time for an advanced lesson. Virginia speed metal punks MUNICIPAL WASTE are proud to announce their latest offering The Last Rager, which will be released on October 11th via Nuclear Blast. Back with 4 ripping tracks that embrace all of the band's punk and street metal roots without clutching at the past. That honest formula has led the WASTE to innovate the festival scene with the opening track and party of the summer 'Wave Of Death'. Watch the music video that was edited by Mark Reâtegui from footage compiled from the band's roadie Scotty Tankcrimes from the last couple of tours, here: youtu.be/CalJjHGJVrU Pre-order The Last Rager on the format of your choice here: nuclearblast.com/municipalwaste-thelastrager Pre-order the EP digitally to receive 'Wave Of Death' instantly (via amazon and iTunes only) or pre-save it via Spotify, Apple Music & Deezer: nblast.de/MunicipalWastePreSave Listen to 'Wave Of Death' in the NB New Releases Playlists: nblast.de/SpotifyNewReleases | nblast.de/AppleMusicNewReleases The Last Rager was recorded by LandPhil Hall at Blaze Of Torment Studios in Richmond, VA with additional engineering completed by Josh Hall. The EP was mixed by Rob Caldwell while mastering was handled by Joel Grind. The artwork was created by Brian Crabaugh

The Last Rager will be available in the following formats: 1. CD Jewel 2. Cassette     2.1 Black (limited to 300) 3. Vinyl     3.1 Black Vinyl     3.2 Green Vinyl (limited to 300)     3.3 Yellow w/ Blue Splatter Vinyl (limited to 1,000)     3.4 Green/Black Swirl Vinyl (limited to 200)     3.5 Orange/Red Splatter Vinyl (limited to 500) 4. T-Shirt Bundle     4.1 Includes a CD + T-Shirt The Last Rager track list: 01. Wave Of Death 02. Car-Nivore (Street Meat) 03. Rum For Your Life 04. The Last Rager

Municipal Waste announced a killer tour earlier this week - a 16 date European and UK tour set for this winter, with support lined up from Toxic Holocaust, label mates Enforcer and Skeletal Remains. Tony Foresta commented: "Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realised there had to be another way. This tour will hopefully bring forth a new kind of winter cheer. Something for the rest of us." The shows are on sale now - dates read as follows:   28 Nov 2019 DE Nuremberg Z-Bau 29 Nov 2019 DE Chemnitz AJZ 30 Nov 2019 BE Antwerp Zappa 01 Dec 2019 NL Drachten Iduna 03 Dec 2019 UK Birmingham The Asylum 04 Dec 2019 UK Glasgow Slay 05 Dec 2019 UK Belfast Limelight 06 Dec 2019 UK Manchester Club Academy 07 Dec 2019 UK Leeds Brudenell Social Club 08 Dec 2019 UK London ULU 10 Dec 2019 DE Oberhausen Kulttempel 11 Dec 2019 IT Paderno, MI Slaughter Club 12 Dec 2019 DE Munich Backstage 13 Dec 2019 DE Cottbus Gladhouse 14 Dec 2019 CZ Prague Nova Chmelnice 15 Dec 2019 DE Berlin S036

More info: facebook.com/Municipalwaste instagram.com/municipalwaste twitter.com/municipalwaste

[sheeping-around]

Sheeping Around Retrospective: By The Numbers

tl;dr: Scroll all the way down for the numbers.

Sheeping Around has been live on the App Store for a little over ten days now. I think it is about time I look back at the development cycle, the good parts, the bad parts and also share some sales figures while I’m at it. I’m following the trend of transparency to help other indie game developers know and understand the market of premium games, for which I gained inspiration from Eric @ Slothwerks and Arnold @ Tiny Touch Tales. I’m also inspired by the way they work: solo devs working with talented people across the world on a contract basis, and I follow the same pattern.

While I’ve worked on games in the past, this is my first official release on the App Store, and I’m really glad to have been able to reach that goal. My previous games got stuck in infinite iteration loops and never got to see the light of the day. 

Inception

I have written in one of my previous posts how the idea of Sheeping Around was born. The idea began as a turn based (asymmetric) strategy game, and eventually turned into a card game that it is today. You can read more about it in the below two posts:

Sheeping Around Inception

Inspired by Card Thief and More

Inspirations of Sheeping Around and its inception as a physical card game

Development

I have around 8 years of experience as a Javascript developer. While I am familiar with other languages like Java and Objective-C/C++, my core expertise and speed of development is still in Javascript. Also, I had begun using TypeScript at work since mid 2017 and had loved it. Reminded me of the good ol’ Flash and Actionscript days.

When the physical version of Sheeping Around card game was proven to be fun enough, I began working on a web-based prototype version of it using Angular.js on the front-end and Node.js on the backend in the first week of November 2017. I deployed the system on Heroku on its free plan, and used Heroku Postgres as database of choice. (It was free upto 9000 rows, more than sufficient for a prototype.)

Initial prototype version of Sheeping Around

For the native mobile version of the game, I used cocos2d-x JS with TypeScript.

I pushed the code to GitHub as private repositories. I maintained separate repos for client and the server.

Multiplayer

Initially I had planned on Sheeping Around to be a solitaire card game, but it ended up being too similar to Card Thief. It wasn’t much fun anyway either. I decided to prototype a two player dueling game on paper, and it proved to be a lot of fun. I figured it would be much more challenging to handle a multiplayer game, but given my full-stack experience, I was confident I’d be able to do it anyway.

Architecture of Sheeping Around

Sketch, GraphicRiver and GUI

Around March 2018, I began working on the GUI of the game. I had recently switched my role to Product Design at my company Sumo Logic and had begun learning Sketch and loved it. I bought some assets off GraphicRiver and heavily modified a lot of them and put them together in Sketch.

All screen designs in Sketch

I wasn’t very happy with the initial designs, but towards the end of April things had started looking much better and professional.

Initial designs

Final designs

Google Indie Games Accelerator

The progress in the initial few months was somewhat slow. I spent time refining the balance of the game and tweaking the progression. Meanwhile I was also designing some UI for the native mobile version of the game.

By the end of June 2018, Google announced the first ever Indie Games Accelerator for games made in South East Asia. The submission deadline was July, so I started rapidly working on the mobile version for Android and iterating it really fast. By mid of July, I had the gameplay fully functional. By the end of it, I had the entire progression system and marketplace fully set up. 

Some charts from the progression and reward system of the game inspired mainly by Pokemon

While I was not selected for the accelerator program, it did help me accelerate the game development process anyway and I am thankful to the accelerator program for that.

Art and Animation

I discuss a lot about art style with Rashi, and we had finalized that the characters would be anthro. Check out some concept art and final artwork for some of the characters below:

I really loved the idea of in-card animations in Card Thief, and wanted to have something similar in my game as well. I was fortunate enough to run into Robinson Millaguin in the Indie Game Developers Facebook group. He began his work on animating some of the initial cards in Spine and my mind was blown already. Check out the video below:

You can see more of the animation GIFs on the official website for Sheeping Around.

Tragicomic Theme and Music

I had contracted someone for music, but it did not sound so fitting. It was very difficult to decide what kind of music would fit this game because it was such a unique premise. I started scouting out for tracks on AudioJungle. Farms are usually associated with country music, but I had ruled it out completely. Western style music with gut guitars and ukuleles are a close second choice associated with farm themes. Somehow that style didn’t fit either, and sounded rather cowboy-ish. 

I explored all kinds of genres of music and tried to see if they fit in the game. Finally, I found that the music in Comedy genre seemed to be the most fitting. I stumbled upon the profile of AudioAgent, who had an amazing portfolio of comedy tracks. His tracks are tragicomic themed, and coincidentally, he kept adding more tracks in the genre as the game progressed.

The game now features a total of 9 comedy audio tracks by AudioAgent. (The tracks change every 10 levels.)

You can check out the tracks in the below Youtube playlists:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Ajh9Cn23k&list=PLnTakDx63B8L0pBpjPD10VB3NJEcXj2l4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXeq713R444&list=PLnTakDx63B8IS3hr4Sd-tnZXgu5vCIoi6

Sound

I had already made a list of suitable sounds from AudioJungle, but it was from a variety of artists and didn’t seem to fit together. I was not sure if I should hire a sound designer for the project. I figured it would be a good idea to ask around anyway.

I am active on Twitter in the gamedev community, and I found Elise Kates’ profile there. She had done some amazing work in the past for games like Moss, and I thought she’d be a good candidate to help me out with the sound. And it was a great decision afterall. The sound effects added the finishing touches to the polish in the game and really brought the characters to life!

Putting It All Together

I’m glad I’ve been able to put all of this together in a single package. The pun in the name, gameplay mechanics, art, animation, sound and music all come together really well. It would be perhaps be one of my proudest achievement since it is an important skillset to have.

Translation, Screenshots, Trailer and Preview Videos

In December, I took help from the Indie Game Localization community to get the game translated in 12 languages. It was an overwhelming amount of work, about 5000 words. I maintained separate Google Sheets for each language.

But what was harder was designing screenshots and preview videos and localizing them into all languages. But it did pay off eventually because it got the game featured in most of the regions that I had localized for.

Check out the preview video below:

Robinson helped in creating a landscape trailer for the game as well, since Android needs a landscape video regardless of whether the game is landscape or not. it was more of a theatrical trailer that served as an introduction to the premise of Sheeping Around and dab a little bit into its gameplay:

Freemium, Premium or Paymium?

The hardest decision for me to take was whether to go premium or freemium (or paymium), and if premium, what would be the price point of the game. Early on I had decided that the game would be premium on iOS and free-to-play on Android, given how easy piracy is on Android (more on piracy in the Piracy section below). I had thought of keeping the game’s price to $4.99, as I had read that Card Crawl had recently upped its price to $4.99 from $2.99 and it increased their month-on-month sales by more than 2x. Turns out, it won’t work very well during release when both developer and the game are new to the market and there are no ratings and reviews. This is also why my day 2 sales were more than day 1 sales, when I dropped the price to $2.99.

My game also has in-app purchases, and most people object to the idea of IAPs in a premium game. But if you look at the top paid charts in the card game category (or even any other category for that matter), you will find that more than 70% of the games have IAPs. This model is called paymium on mobile platforms, and has only recently entered the debate alongside freemium and premium. In the PC world, most games are paid, and the concept of DLCs is fairly normal and accepted, so I don’t understand what the issue with IAPs in premium mobile games is about.

Besides, the IAPs in Sheeping Around aren’t your typical in-your-face popups that appear at the end of every game to give you a reward or to increase your life. They are subtle, just two coin packs that you can buy if need be. You probably won’t need to though.

Pre-orders and the Coming Soon Feature

I set the game to be available for preorder on 31st December 2018. That would make my first new years’ resolution to be to release this game. I set Thursday, 17th Jan as the release date. That is because App Store refreshes every Thursday and it would get greater number of days in visibility if it gets featured then. (Most features last at least a week.)

That is also when I also submitted my game and my story to Apple via App Store’s promote link, hoping to get featured.

On January 5, the game got featured in the Coming Soon section, and it started getting a little spike in pre-orders. From 1-2 per day to around 25-30 per day. On January 20, the game got featured in a lot more territories, including US, UK, South Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. I netted about 250 pre-orders from this feature. But it turns out that in some places, since Apple lets you preorder without having a linked credit card, they would fail to be billed on release of the game. Because of this, only about 200 pre-orders went through successfully. App store still shows -1/-2 net preorders days after the game’s release.

New Games We Love & Top Charts

Upon release, the game was featured in “New Games We Love” in US, China and the Greater China Area (HK, Macau, Taiwan), South-East Asia, India, UK, Europe, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. It also went on to become #3 card game in US (iPhone) during launch and stayed between #3-#5 during the first week. In China, which is the second biggest market for me, the highest it went was #9 in card games. (Competition is quite high in that category there, with most paid games priced at ¥1 ($0.15).)

I especially love the words UK editorial team used to describe the game in Games We Love.

Reception

The reviews so far have been positive, with occasional negative reviews talking about some bugs, most of which I have fixed in the week after release. Here are the current reviews and ratings stats for the game so far:

US: 4.6 / 5 (56 ratings, 32 reviews) China: 4.3 / 5 (41 ratings, 23 reviews) Thailand: 4.7 / 5 (15 ratings, 11 reviews) Germany: 4.0 / 5 (11 ratings, 6 reviews) Russia: 4.6 / 5 (8 ratings, 7 reviews) UK: 3.7 / 5 (6 ratings, 4 reviews)

Some encouraging reviews:

“I’ve only played this game for 20 minutes, and I love it already. The creativity, the idea, everything about this game is just beyond my expectations, and I can only assume how addicting this game will be.”

“It a really good game. You should make a physical card game for this game. I really like it and it’s definitely worth buying it.”

“Don’t really review apps, let alone end up playing one a day or two after I started. But this one... this one got me hooked! It’s fairly simple gameplay but sometimes it gets pretty exciting.”

“Pre-ordered it, I've played Card Monsters since release & Hearthstone for 4 years & this game is very solid & entertaining.”

“I think this game is another new twist to a card game, I can definitely see potential for this game. I can’t wait for the next update, hopefully with some new cards to use.”

“This game is family oriented and so easy to play. It has the simplicity of UNO yet with enough strategy to keep you engage but not overwhelmed. This is highly addictive and fun to play. The element of luck is always a factor but how to use the cards given is the key. The games are short but competitive. Those who love card/card battle games should download this without hesitation! Kudos! Look forward to updates to see what you guys come up with next!”

DAUs, Screen Time and Retention Rate

I use Tableau for my data visualization needs, and have custom graphs and dashboards created for all kinds of metrics. 27% of the players have played the game for at least one hour, which is quite encouraging. 4.5% of the players have been addicted and have played for more than 5 hours. I’ve been seeing an average DAU of around 750 and average total session time of over 450 hours. Not that it matters much for a premium game, but I’m tracking it anyway. In terms of retention, my day 7 retention is about 10%, which isn’t so bad. I will give it more time to see what my day 30 retention is.

Press Coverage and Critic Reviews

I had mailed a lot of media sites and YouTubers to review the game. A lot of them covered the game. Thanks to the localization effort, the game was featured in a lot of foreign language blogs. 

Specifically Pocket Gamer and Pocket Tactics wrote about the game. The review from Pocket Tactics was negative with a 2.0 / 5 rating, and from Pocket Gamer was somewhat above average at 3.5 / 5 rating. Pocket Tactics review, though negative, gave me a chuckle because of their words of choice.

You can check them out here:

Pocket Gamer: A surprisingly tense, exciting and fun card battler that doesn’t quite have the tactical depth for the long haul.

Pocket Tactics: Sheeping Around looks the part, but sadly the game turns out to be as dull as you would expect for a game based on an animal that stands around in a field all day chewing grass.

The criticism though has been pretty good in these reviews, and I will add more content and depth in the future updates to address the weaknesses they have mentioned.

Piracy

One thing I wanted to point out was that about 25% of the users of Sheeping Around are using a pirated version. I was under the impression that it would be very hard to pirate an iOS game, because it would need jailbreaking and it isn’t very easy to jailbreak your iOS device. Turns out I was very wrong. There are pirated App Stores like AppEven that you can install on your device, and you can install premium iOS games for free using those stores. You don’t need to jailbreak your phone and the whole process is dead simple. Turns out these folks are abusing Enterprise App certificates for ad-hoc app distribution, and Apple hasn’t been paying much attention to them. 

Within about two minutes, I was able to download a pirated version of my own game from AppEven. It even added its own ads that pop up once every few minutes that bring revenue to the owners of the pirated app store. It made me a little sad, but that’s the way it is. No matter how many attempts you make to prevent piracy in your app, the hackers will have a workaround to bypass it. They can remove the code in your app that prevents piracy, replace your ads with their own. It is their daily business.

Promotional Artwork

For games that Apple finds worthy of promotion using a banner feature or on the Today page, Apple requests developers for promotional artwork. I got this request last Monday and I submitted the artwork by Wednesday. The game hasn’t gotten a banner feature or Game of the Day yet, so I can only hope it will happen one day in the future.

By The Numbers

And finally, the moment you’d been waiting for. Sales. Sheeping Around was able to break even about 50% of its outsourcing costs (art, animation and sfx) in 10 days since launch. 

The top 2 territories where the game made some decent revenue are US and China, followed by Germany and UK.

What’s next?

I’m already working on some new cards that add more variety to the gameplay. These include:

Bonus cards

Peek - Look at the opponent’s hand. 

Undo - Undo the opponent’s last move. It can also potentially undo a stolen or whistled sheep.

Lucky Pendant - Draw half the number of cards in your hand (rounded off).

Shepherd cards

Fence N (N = 2, 3, 4) - Build a fence around all sheep preventing any of them from being stolen for N turns.

Electric Fence N (N = 2, 3) - Build an electric fence around all sheep preventing any of them from being lured or stolen for N turns.

Quarantine N (N = 1, 2, 3) - Cure all sheep of Infestation or Intoxication by N turns.

Vaccinate N (N = 3, 4) - Prevent Infestation or Intoxication on all sheep for the next N turns.

Thief cards

Infest N (N = 2, 3, 4) - Infest all sheep with pests to prevent them from being whistled for N turns.

Intoxicate N (N = 2, 3) - Intoxicate sheep to prevent them from being grazed or whistled for N turns.

Thrash N (N = 1, 2, 3) - Damage a Fence or an Electric Fence and reduce its value by N turns.

Termites (N = 3, 4) - Spread termites to prevent building a Fence or an Electric Fence for the next N turns.

Changes to existing cards

Rescue N (N = 1, 2, 3) - Reduce the effect of Trap, Infestation or Intoxication by N turns on one sheep.

Distract N (N = 1, 2, 3) - Reduce the effect of Guard, Fence or Electric Fence by N turns on one sheep.

You can already add an ally that unlocks at Lv. 20 to the game. Future updates may include upto 5 allies in total:

Shepherd’s side

Beaver - Jack Kim (Lv. 10)

Llama - Fuzzy Wumpkins (Lv. 20)

Sheepdog - Casper Cloud (Lv. 30)

Emu - Emily McCoy (Lv. 40)

Donkey - Muriel Miller (Lv. 50)

Thief’s side

Raven - Merlin Kook (Lv. 10)

Eagle - Cradoc McClaw (Lv. 20)

Coyote - Roxy Fang (Lv. 30)

Badger - Agent Chaos (Lv. 40)

Bear - Boris Rockpaw (Lv. 50)

Additional Features I’ll also be working on some features like: - Expressions and dialogs - Offline mode vs AI - Pass and play multiplayer - Quests

Conclusion

Sheeping Around was a fun project, and unlike my other shelved projects, it saw the light of the day, and it is a proud achievement for me in that regard. For the past 14 months, I’ve worked part-time at a consistent pace on this project (and full time for a few months). Especially as a solo developer being able to develop a PvP multiplayer game where people in US can battle people in China with servers located in London, I think it is a great feat.

Look forward to more updates in the future on this blog. Follow the blog on Tumblr or me on Twitter to keep yourself up to date on the progress of the game.

[cookiesfor-nialler]

Free Music Throughout Your Home With Spotify

Spotify is a music streaming service that allows you to stream unlimited tracks. Well Spotify is a free music internet streaming service that lets you play unlimited tracks with the addition of the occasional advert. The adverts are fairly unobtrusive, but for a monthly subscription ( PS10 In the UK) you get unlimited tracks with no adverts. The great thing about Spotify is you can create and edit your own play lists just like you can on iTunes but without having to buy the actual music. Saves kopen spotify has also added a feature that allows you to save your tracks on your computer to allow you to play them offline. Spotify iPhone app now allows you to stream and save music for free directly to your iPhone.

Spotify works great on your computer or laptop, but what about if you want Spotify to be available through your home’s audio system? To integrate Spotify into a home audio system you need a stand alone solution that can access Spotify without your pc. Spotify has released an API package that allows software developers the ability to create their own Spotify software. What does this all mean? well the api will let you create custom software applications to interface with the Spotify client. Many great applications have already been created, most are based around sharing playlists between users but you can go further. For example, there’s an app that lets you stream Spotify to your hifi via Apple’s Airport and Airtunes adapter.

This will let you play Spotify music on your hifi, but you’ll still need your laptop/PC and it lacks the convenience of a larger integrated whole house system. What is possible, is to combine Spotify with a server application that integrates with any number of remote controls, keypads or touch-panels in the home. One solution is to build a stand alone box that acts as both a Spotify client and a tcp server that can be controlled from any number of ethernet devices throughout the home. The unit can be tucked away in a cupboard or even rack mounted in an existing AV hub. The box can be connected directly to a TV or hifi, but it can also be connected into a whole house AV system, whereby the Spotify music stream can be switched to any room in the house. Check This Out

Many of the cool Spotify features are easily integrated into hand-held controls. One example of this is a Spotify search function that allows you to search by artist, track and album. Also you can create a seamless menu system that lets you search between these categories. You can also create and edit your own play lists from your searches, and even include other people’s playlists. Like the Spotify internet browser, cover art, album and artist information and even a list of recommended artists based upon your current music choices are all possible!

[jranimator]

Building an Online Fanbase for Independent Artists

The digital era has revolutionized the music industry, offering independent artists unparalleled opportunities to reach global audiences. However, creating a devoted fanbase requires more than just uploading music online. From ensuring professional sound quality to strategically leveraging distribution platforms, building a sustainable audience involves a combination of artistry, strategy, and persistence.

Perfecting Your Sound with Song Masters Before you focus on marketing or distribution, it’s essential to ensure that your music meets professional standards. High-quality sound production is non-negotiable in today’s competitive landscape. This is where song masters come into play. A well-mastered track enhances your music’s clarity, depth, and impact, ensuring it resonates with listeners across different devices and platforms. Investing in mastering also reflects your commitment to quality, which can help build credibility among fans and industry professionals alike.

Listeners are more likely to follow artists who deliver polished, professional music that competes with chart-topping hits. Thus, making your music sound its best should always be the first step in your journey to grow your fanbase.

Publishing Music Strategically on i iMusic Releasing music strategically can be a game-changer for independent artists. Many wonder, “Can I publish part of songs on i iMusic?” This approach, known as snippet or preview publishing, allows artists to test audience reactions before committing to a full release. Platforms like i iMusic provide an excellent avenue for artists to experiment with their content.

Previewing a song or sharing a teaser builds anticipation and encourages listeners to engage with your music on a deeper level. Moreover, it enables you to gather valuable feedback, which can guide your decisions about final production and marketing. This strategy is particularly effective for generating buzz among fans and increasing streams upon release.

Optimizing Your Presence on Spotify Spotify remains one of the most influential platforms for independent artists looking to grow their audience. However, uploading music on Spotify is just the first step; ensuring discoverability is where the real work begins. Many artists often ask, “Can I find a Spotify song after uploading?” The key lies in optimizing your metadata, which includes track titles, album names, and keywords that make your songs easier to find.

Spotify’s algorithms favor tracks that receive consistent plays, are saved to playlists, or get shared by users. Encouraging your fans to include your music in their playlists or share it on social media can significantly boost visibility. Additionally, engaging with Spotify for Artists offers valuable insights into listener demographics and performance metrics, allowing you to tailor your approach for maximum impact.

Choosing the Best Distribution Service Getting your music onto major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music requires the right distribution service. Selecting the best music distribution service for independent artists is crucial for ensuring that your songs are available to audiences worldwide.

Distribution services act as the bridge between artists and streaming platforms, handling the technical aspects of uploading and ensuring that your music is presented in the best possible way. Look for a service that offers extensive reach, fair pricing, and helpful features like royalty tracking and promotional tools. By partnering with a reliable distributor, you can focus on creating music while leaving the logistics of distribution in capable hands.

The Role of Advance Agents in Boosting Visibility As you grow your fanbase, working with advance agent music professionals can help accelerate your progress. These agents specialize in connecting artists with key industry players, from playlist curators to concert promoters. They provide the expertise needed to navigate the competitive music scene, helping you reach a broader audience in less time.

An advance agent can also assist with securing collaborations, licensing deals, and sponsorships—opportunities that may otherwise be challenging to access. For independent artists aiming to scale their careers quickly, these agents are invaluable allies in achieving success.

Engaging Your Audience Through Social Media Social media is a powerful tool for building and maintaining a loyal fanbase. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter allow artists to interact directly with fans, share behind-the-scenes content, and promote their music. Consistency and authenticity are key to creating meaningful connections.

By regularly posting engaging content, such as live performances, Q&A sessions, and personal stories, you can foster a sense of community among your followers. Additionally, leveraging trends and hashtags can increase your visibility and attract new listeners to your music.

Collaborating with Other Artists Collaboration is a proven strategy for expanding your reach and gaining new fans. Partnering with other artists, whether through features, joint projects, or live events, introduces your music to their audience and vice versa. This mutual exchange of fanbases can lead to significant growth and increased exposure.

Moreover, collaborations allow you to experiment with different genres and styles, keeping your music fresh and appealing to a wider audience. Whether it’s a local artist or a well-known name in the industry, collaboration can open doors to new opportunities.

Analyzing Data and Adjusting Your Strategy Building a fanbase is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis and adaptation. Use analytics tools provided by platforms like Spotify and YouTube to monitor your performance. Pay attention to which songs are most popular, where your listeners are located, and how they’re discovering your music.

This data can help you refine your marketing efforts, choose the right platforms for promotion, and identify potential opportunities for growth. Being data-driven ensures that your efforts are focused on what works best for your audience.

Conclusion Building an online fanbase is both an art and a science. It requires dedication, strategic planning, and the use of professional tools to stand out in a competitive industry. From perfecting your sound with song masters to collaborating with advance agent music professionals, every step plays a crucial role in connecting with fans. By leveraging platforms like Spotify and publishing strategically on i iMusic, you can maximize your reach and grow your audience.

[websiterolli]

Itunes app

Itunes app manual#

Itunes app skin#

Itunes app windows 10#

Itunes app software#

Introduced in 2004, "Party Shuffle" selected tracks to play randomly from the library, though users could press a button to skip a song and go to the next in the list. Users can enable or disable different columns, as well as change view settings. įile metadata is displayed in users' libraries in columns, including album, artist, genre, composer, and more.

Itunes app manual#

For self-published CDs, or those from obscure record labels, iTunes will normally only list tracks as numbered entries ("Track 1" and "Track 2") on an unnamed album by an unknown artist, requiring manual input of data. When users rip content from a CD, iTunes attempts to match songs to the Gracenote service. It uses the Gracenote music database to provide track name listings for audio CDs. iTunes supports WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, AAC, and MP3 audio formats.

Itunes app software#

The software supports importing digital audio tracks that can then be transferred to iOS devices, as well as supporting ripping content from CDs. Each track has attributes, called metadata, that can be edited by the user, including changing the name of the artist, album, and genre, year of release, artwork, among other additional settings. Unlike Windows versions for other platforms, it is more self-contained due to technical requirements for distribution on the store (not installing background helper services such as Bonjour), and is updated automatically through the store rather than using Apple Software Update.

Itunes app windows 10#

On April 26, 2018, iTunes was released on Microsoft Store for Windows 10, primarily to allow it to be installed on Windows 10 devices configured to only allow installation of software from Microsoft Store. Platform availability Īpple released iTunes for Windows in 2003. Subsequent releases of iTunes often coincided with new hardware devices, and gradually included support for new features, including "smart playlists", the iTunes Store, and new audio formats. The first version of iTunes, promotionally dubbed "World’s Best and Easiest To Use Jukebox Software," was announced on January 9, 2001.

Itunes app skin#

The primary developers of the software moved to Apple as part of the acquisition, and simplified SoundJam's user interface, added the ability to burn CDs, and removed its recording feature and skin support. SoundJam MP, released by Casady & Greene in 1998, was renamed "iTunes" when Apple purchased it in 2000. (This change would not affect iTunes running on Windows or older macOS versions. Beginning with Macs running macOS Catalina, iTunes was replaced by separate apps, namely Music, Podcasts, and TV, with Finder taking over the device management capabilities. Though well received in its early years, iTunes received increasing criticism for a bloated user experience, which incorporated features beyond its original focus on music. Since the release of iOS 5 in 2011, these devices have become less dependent on iTunes, though it can still be used to back up their contents. Starting in 2005, Apple expanded on the core music features of iTunes with support for digital video, podcasts, e-books, and mobile apps purchased from the iOS App Store. With the 2003 addition of the iTunes Store for purchasing and downloading digital music, and a version of the program for Windows, it became a ubiquitous tool for managing music and configuring other features on Apple's line of iPod media players, which extended to the iPhone and iPad upon their introduction. Originally announced by CEO Steve Jobs on January 9, 2001, iTunes' original and main focus was music, with a library offering organization and storage of Mac users' music collections. Options for sound optimizations exist, as well as ways to wirelessly share the iTunes library. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital multimedia, on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating systems, and can be used to rip songs from CDs, as well as play content with the use of dynamic, smart playlists. ITunes ( / ˈ aɪ t( j) uː n z/) is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store.

[jefelen-presents]

“Mutant Vampires from the Planet Neptune” (2022)

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 (22:22) JEFELEN is on the public record as absolutely LOATHING vampire movies, personally believing the category to indelibly SUCK by virtue of its intrinsic subject matter.

"Mutant Vampires from the Planet Neptune" presents as being a felicitously different beast, however, so when offered the opportunity to sign on as an Associate Producer for this charming b-movie project, I found myself quite unable to turn it down.  Produced by independent outfit 7th Street Productions™, in association with Video Is The Future™, Calvin Morie McCarthy's affectionate tribute to 1950s drive-in fodder (with evident '80s sensibilities) tells the tried and true tale of five teenage friends who embark upon a weekend of partying at a secluded cabin where, unbeknownst to this revelrous quintet, a murderous extraterrestrial vampiric being lurks esuriently in the shadows.  Who will live to escape this close-encounter of the THIRST kind...?

Released back in July, the internal memo apparently slipped me by unnoticed until now (what with my personal life enduring more than its fair share of offline distractions these past several months), so I'm adopting this particular occasion to retroactively announce that distributor Breaking Glass Pictures™ has seen to the movie being listed on the following streaming platforms:

Amazon Video Direct™: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5Y2WTY2

Prime Video™: http://www.primevideo.com/.../0KTPEWFUN3298RGQBY8WY6VJCO

Microsoft Store™: http://www.microsoft.com/.../mutant.../XM8D6KGWZ007JZ

FlixFling™: http://www.flixfling.com/justwatch/28796

The Roku Channel™: http://therokuchannel.roku.com/.../977b8fa81c9d12eb6efffd...

Apple TV™: http://tv.apple.com/.../umc.cmc.36byso16bkr0v0rtheiwa6nxo

Tubi™: http://www.tubitv.com/movies/676983

Plex™: http://watch.plex.tv/.../mutant-vampires-from-the-planet...

Vimeo™: http://vimeo.com/ondemand/mvpn

No official word has yet been issued regarding the prospect of physical media, but any updates pertaining to the commercial release of which shall be reported here as details become known...

#7thStreet  #GoodFilmsForBadPeople  #VideoIsTheFuture  #MutantVampiresFromThePlanetNeptune  #HeIsComingAndHeWantsBlood  #ThingsSuckInTheWoods  #WatchItNOW

Break!**

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 (22:22) 2023 UPDATE: it's been a full year (to the very day!) since I dilatorily publicised the release of this movie... and I have to say, I'm a tad disappointed with the response thus far.  Undaunted, however, I'm electing to press forward in a resolute effort to promote further public interest in "Mutant Vampires" by sharing this:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/L6d8gL_9-Yo?vq=hd720&rel=0...

The anthemic "Take Flight" by Yesterday’s Youth is lifted from their 2021 E.P. of the same name, which is available in its entirety through the following music outlets:

Apple Music™: http://music.apple.com/album/take-flight-ep/1576240752

Amazon Music™: http://music.amazon.com/albums/B0997F5RDK

YouTube™: http://music.youtube.com/playlist...

iHeartRadio™: http://www.iheart.com/.../albums/take-flight-139407984

Deezer™: http://www.deezer.com/album/243856482

Boomplay™: http://www.boomplay.com/albums/28246103

Anghami™: http://play.anghami.com/album/1021186854

Spotify™: http://open.spotify.com/album/3LfVlQt4AGHntpuRlzCq27

To date, there's no Bandcamp™ listing, unfortunately, but there always remains prospect for that to possibly change in future -- accordingly, I'll be sure to keep you all posted of further updates, as always...

Sunday, October 1, 2023 (22:22) October 1st is designated #InternationalMusicDay, so it seems appropriate to mark the occasion by sharing the following:

http://doob.fm/music/Yesterday's+Youth/Take+Flight+-+EP

Subsequently, I've also gone on to find the E.P. in question through the following additional outlets:

TIDAL™: http://www.tidal.com/browse/album/190699002

Last.fm™: http://www.last.fm/music/Yesterday's+Youth/Take+Flight

Meanwhile, what better opportunity is there to share the fact that Yesterday’s Youth also has an online merchandise store, through which they are retailing a rather fetching "Take Flight" fashion garment:

http://www.yesterdaysyouth.shop/.../take-flight-2021...

Also commercially retailing through Facebook™:

http://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/6295523160487671

Admittedly, it might not be Space Age electroplate body-conforming spandex, but for my money, it's still pretty spiffy...

[8dpromo]

Citronade (A Martin Denev Project) - Hopenotica (Issa'min)

8DPromo · Citronade (A Martin Denev Project) - Hopenotica (Issa'min)

The Hopenotica EP brings five new tracks of groovy chill-out bliss from Bali-by-way-of-Bulgaria producer Martin Denev, courtesy of his evocative Citronade project. As the previous Citronade EP, Ezeh, drew upon South East Asian influences, Hopenotica brings in flavors of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. It's a delicious stew specially made for early doors, the classiest of lounges, and delirious back-to-mine stereo sessions. "Desert Cat" epitomizes the sound with exotic flutes, funky guitar, and spacious atmospheres traveling over a midtempo four-on-the-floor beat. The title track introduces an impeccable bass line hook right up front, guiding layers of sparkling sound-flourishes and a crisp drum machine groove. A subtle, laid-back disco vibe permeates "Cruizinho," joined by some seriously lovely piano playing. "Sandy Toes" meshes a rhythmic island vibe with dream-time treatments and subdued, jazzy keyboard riffs. The Hopenotica EP finishes with "May and June," feeling like an '80s funk/R&B jam swirled through the Ibizan blender — uplifting, synthy, and filled with a healthy dose of sunshine magic.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Hitting all the right poolside notes with this splendid summer selection. May and June definitely winning the extra cherry and mini umbrella for me.” Still Rob G (Om Records) – “Desert Cat is super nice. Also digging Cruizinho and Sandy Toes.” Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Perfect vibes for the sundowner.” Dr. Best (Radio Z, Neuremberg) – “Nice summer vibes from Citronade.” DJ Morpheus (Lysergic Factory radio show) – “Very nice loungey stuff. I dig Desert Cat and May and June the most.” DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “What a stunning release. Love every bit of this. #playlisted”.

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.