Tag Archive for 'Google'

Google Music Search

Is there anything that Google can’t do? At least when it comes to search, the answer appears to be no. The behemoth has now teamed with, you know, pretty much all the big players in the music industry to bring us the sleekest and simplest way to search for and discover music. We’re talking Lala, Imeem, MySpace (which has now aquired iLike), Pandora, Rhapsody, and the major labels.

Enter Google Music Search.

Though currently only available in the US (due to licensing and what not), the music search capability is already integrated into Google search, meaning you just search like you normally do. When you search for a song, an artist, random lyrics, or an album, Google will bring up streaming links – similar to what Seeqpod did before it hit some legal speedbumps and (allegedly) got bought out by Microsoft (when you go to their website it redirects to Bing). Additionally, you can easily click through to one of the partner sites to to access info about the artist, buy the song, check out lyrics etc.

Apparently, music is way up near the top of the list of what people search for. Google would know. The problem was it just took too long to get to get there. Now, just as with everything else that Google touches, music search has become simple and elegant.

Universal Backs Live Video Streams

About a year ago I examined a Wired article looking at the head of the Universal Music Group, Doug Morris, and his attempts to move against the current of technology that was slowly eroding his old-timer’s hold on music distribution. My how times have changed. Not only has UMG joined forces with the other three major labels to eradicate DRM on iTunes purchases, now they’re actively joining the swelling ranks looking for digital solutions to real-life problems.

UMG, home of artists like 50 Cent and Lil’ Wayne, is always looking for new ways to interact with fans and bring their favorite artists to them in ways that are both exciting and relevant. Because of this and the potential they see in the company, UMG has joined forces with Kyte, an emerging web start-up that is aiming to fill a niche not currently serviced by YouTube: live video streams.

UMG is hoping that this will prompt massive coverage and interest in short live broadcasts from the backstage dressing rooms, the road, clips of shows or anywhere else these artists might find themselves wanting to reach out and directly connect to fans visually. It takes away the overhead of big-budget, high quality videos that need to be processed and uploaded and replaces it with a web-based streamlined idea that brings the live video straight to the viewer.

Of course, given that these video streams are live, it could become difficult if not impossible to control the content. I’m wondering how long it’ll take for UMG to take issue with that… This could also be a shot across the bow of YouTube as the four majors actively begin renegotiating licensing agreements with Google’s video baby.

Worst Band in the World: Creed?

Like the band Creed? Google doesn’t, apparently. This search result, however it came to be, has been popping up all over the internet today. Yet, according to Digg, this is not a recent discovery (made popular two years ago).

Who knows where the recent buzz started, but it has certainly spawned some interesting dialogue. Check out this comment thread on Reddit, for example. Creed vs. Nickelback is the main topic of debate, with comments like “Nickelback + Jesus = Creed” and “Nickelback’s music may be worse, but Creed are by far bigger douchebags.”

Join the World's First Online Collaborative Orchestra on YouTube

A global collaborative orchestra? Holy harpsichord, that sounds ambitious. Tan Dun, of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame, has created Internet Symphony No. 1 “Eroica” just for the occasion. And Google/YouTube is, of course, facilitating the process.

Got what it takes to take part? You have till the end of January to download the sheet music, practice the shit out of your part (want pro advice on that one tricky bassoon or cor anglais part? check out the master classes), videotape it, and upload your submission. Then perform and record a second piece of your choosing. You know, that one that will make you stand out among hundreds thousands all those other people. Simple, really.

So, get to it. YouTubers around the world will be watching, listening and voting on the semifinalists in February (semifinalists will be chosen by real music nerds hailing from orchestras around the world – including the San Francisco Symphony, yay) . If you are an insanely awesome instrumentalist, maybe you’ll be chosen to play in the live performance at Carnegie Hall in April 2009!

…And for the rest of us realists, we’ll be watching and voting with interest. Don’t play an instrument at all? Venture Beat has a suggestion: “sing an instrumental part (if you can imitate the sound of a French horn) or beatbox the percussion part.”