Online Music Management

From time to time I come across interesting websites and apps in my searches for new trends and ideas.

Lately I've discovered a number of items related to music, so I thought I'd share them with you.

First, my old standards.  I've used Pandora and Blip.fm for quite awhile now and really like both.

Pandora works like so: you enter the name of a song or band, and based on the information about that item, Pandora suggests other songs that sound similar. You give songs thumbs up or down, perfecting your "station." You can also add additional tracks or artists to your station to broaden your station's range.

Blip.fm is what I use when I have a particular song in mind. If I need to hear Piano Man I can go and "blip" that song, meaning that I get to listen to that particular track right now. My blips are collected in my "station" and others can choose to follow my station and if they so choose give me props (I'm not really sure what I do with them, but really, who doesn't want props?).

Recently I discovered Last.fm, and was impressed. Last allowed me to sync my entire iTunes library and play count numbers to the service. It then created a station with my entire music library, meaning I can now remotely listen to my tracks. It also provides feedback and statistics on my listening history and suggests new music I may enjoy. Other features include iPhone apps for listening on the go and notifications of when bands you enjoy are performing in your area. I've only begun to uncover what this site can do, but I'm sold. Check out my music profile.

TidySongs is an amazing little app. It costs $30 but is totally worth it. The app goes through your iTunes library and updates all of your tracks with the proper titles, artists, albums, artwork, track number, date, etc. You can use its automated system or go through your tracks one by one. The best part is that for each track the service checks it gives you a percentage telling you how confident the service is in its answer. For example, common tracks typically have a score of 90% or above. But that bootlegged copy of Swedish techno may only score a 5% because the app struggles to find info about it on the web. I think it's great and I'll definitely be investing in the app.

Go try these out for yourselves!  Tell us what you thought of each in the comments!

JazzFest 2009 was quite the experience!

Perfect weather and some great musicians brought in huge attendance numbers for JazzFest 2009. It's an experience we're lucky to have in our own backyard, attracting audience of all ages.

The food vendors ranged from small town to giant chain and from carnival fare to elite fine cuisine. Music fills the outdoor venue and creates the biggest party around. The music is the core of this event. But, people are drawn for the experience.

This is truly an experience for the senses. The feel of a plush grassy lawn between your toes. The smell of BBQ pork, kettle corn and funnel cakes. The taste of frozen hot chocolate, fried cheese curds and Indian tacos. The sight of people...from all walks of life, coming together for a united experience. AND, of course, the amazing music fills the air.

Kudos to Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society. We are fortunate to have this event in Sioux Falls.

Posted by Doug Moss, Creative Director

Say Hi to Matthew

Meet our new broadcast producer, Matthew Muldoon. Most recently senior editor at another Sioux Falls ad agency, Matthew brings hardcore video editing capabilities to Insight.

He'll also oversee production of radio, TV and video at Insight.

Here's an excerpt from my interview with him.

Q: What’s your favorite band? Or top 3?
A: Right now it would have to be Flobots, Hollywood Undead, and Rise Against.

Q: What’s your favorite song? Or top 3? And why?
A: Goddamn Electric Bill - Lost in the Zoo. Because I've never heard another song that relaxes me more.

Q: If you could be a rock star, who would you be and why?
A: Ringo Starr, cause he's super rich, and he told all his fans he was to busy to sign autographs anymore.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?
A: Banksy, cause then I would be the only person to know his true identity, and would become famous by association. Plus he's a killer artist.

Q: If you could redo one thing in your life, what would it be?
A: I would have partied less in college so I could have graduated with honors.

Q: Where is the love?
A: In Mom's homemade cooking, of course.

Q: Who plays you in the movie made about Insight?
A: Norman Reedus

Q: What is your favorite beverage?
A: Based on pure volume consumed, Diet Pepsi.

Q: What are three things you want to achieve during your lifetime?
A: Create a short film. See Greece. Have an art piece of mine published.

Q: Where does the time go?
A: It's wasted away thinking about the things you want to do, instead of doing them.

Q: When you hear the little voices, what are they saying?
A: REALLY.... WOW!

Q: What comes after infinity?
A: Hopefully a nice, tasty beverage.