The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.
Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, has died at 56. Jobs changed the computer industry forever when he helped build one of the first personal computers and later changed the music industry with the introduction of the iPod and the iTunes music store. Jobs had been battling cancer since 2004 and had recently stepped down as CEO of Apple.
As a music lover and frequent Apple product user, I will miss the vision Jobs brought to the tech and music industry.
Apple today, at their annual music event, announced new iPods and an updated version of iTunes that includes a new social media service called Ping. iTunes 10, which is available now, features Ping which add social media capabilities to iTunes where you can can join friends in discovering new music and even follow your favorite artist and see what they are listening to. Ping will also let you know about tour dates and your friends music purchases.
What are your thoughts on Ping? Do you feel like joining another social media network? Do you think it will help you discover new music?
Bryce Jacobson
This week marks the return of Number One Gun. Fans will recall the band breaking up last year but Jeff Schneeweis has brought the name back and with a new album. The North Pole Project will be available in-stores and online this Tuesday January 15th.
This Tuesday is also marks the annual Mac World conference in California. Apple fans can check out Apple.com on Tuesday for all the new goods.
Julie Watanabe
I know I haven’t been around, but Bryce is head on with his Number One Gun rec. The North Pole Project is 2008’s best record so far and although we’re only a couple weeks into the new year, you can trust this record is something that’ll be on people’s “Best of” lists. I was so excited for this release I even made a TNNP userbar! Feel free to download and use it on a forum or website to support the new album! And look for a review from me soon!
Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) is featured on a Pro article over on Apple.com. The article talks about how Stump uses Apple’s GarageBand to record songs quickly and easily while out on the road.
Apple has lowered the price of it’s DRM-Free songs to 99 cents from $1.29.
Apple today released a new family of iPods including the new iPod Touch. Who doesn’t like to have the best music player in their pocket? Pick up one of the new iPods online, at an Apple store or any other iPod retailer.
Today is the day that the iPhone will be hitting shelves (probably not for long as they will be flying off them). I’m guessing many of you want one but even fewer will be getting one. So as a little gift to any of our readers out there picking one up, I’ll send you some cool prizes if you take a picture or some video of your iPhone (and you if you would like) browsing DrivenFarOff.com on it. Send me an e-mail bryce(at)drivenfaroff.com and I’ll post your pictures on the site so we can all be jealous of you and your new iPhone.
Update:
The first photo of Driven Far Off on an iPhone comes from Tim. I’ll be sending him some cool stuff, remember to send in your photos by the 6th to get in on the prizes!
Here is another photo of DFO on an iPhone!
EMI and Apple today announced a plan to sell DRM free music starting this May. Songs on the iTunes store will be sold a higher quality bit-rate of 256 kbps AAC for $1.29 a song. You will also have the option to upgrade songs you have already purchased at the 128 kbps rate for $.30 a song. EMI’s music videos will also be sold without DRM for no additional charge. For more information you can read the press releases at the links below.
Note: EMI will also sell DRM free music on other download stores at a later date.
