Interview with Zack Zalon on Hello Music Part: 2
The Urbanian got a chance to speak with Zack Zalon one of the founders of Hello Music. Keep reading to see some never before questions asked by us…..
The Urbanian: Why the name Hello Music? What is the meaning behind it?
Zack Zalon: That’s a great question – and you’re the first to ask! We looked for quite a while for a service name that reflected the spirit of what we’re focusing on. Overall, there is a huge gap between musicians and opportunities. That’s what we’re focused on, bringing those together and making a meaningful difference in the lives of our artists. Our entire motivation is to add value to an artist’s career, whether it’s by getting them a record deal, getting them played on internet radio, licensing their content to a commercial, or even just saving them money on a guitar. We believe that the name Hello Music says it all. It’s us saying hello to new artists and new content, and a way to pass that along to our partners, to get them to say ‘hello’ to that new music as well.
TU: Hello Music has defined itself as one of the prominent web sites of its kind. Any archrivals?
ZZ: I don’t think so. We look at other services in the marketplace as natural partners, not as competition. We’re really focused on the A&R side of the business, and this is a part of the business that we think we are very unique in – we listen to every one of the songs that artists upload, and we use the information from that screening to help us to find great opportunities for our artists. There are plenty of great companies doing other valuable work on behalf of the ‘unaffiliated’ artist, and we like how an ecosystem is emerging that can really benefit artists.
TU: Your music library gets wiped tomorrow, you can salvage one album, name it?
ZZ: No chance I can narrow it to just one album – if my music library gets wiped I’ll just listen to more Hello Music artists.
TU: Views on current programming on MTV? Is it dead?
ZZ: I don’t think so. I think that people will still watch music videos, online and on their TV sets. I believe that things are transitioning in the music business and in the way that consumers connect with their music, but it’s not necessarily going to kill what has worked for decades, it’s just going to change it.
TU: How the idea of HelloMusic.com popped into your head?
ZZ: Hello Music has been in our heads for a long time. Brendon Cassidy (my business partner) and I were at a startup called Farmclub over a decade ago. This was an early service for getting artists signed through the internet – we really believed in the idea and never let go of the vision that the web would ultimately be the primary tool for finding and supporting the music stars of tomorrow. The timing was off then – far too early. We waited until we felt the timing was right, which we obviously believe it is today.
TU: As a former struggling artist, how would a web site like this benefit you?
ZZ: There are so many ways that Hello Music can help artists, so many opportunities that we didn’t have when I was playing professionally. Think about it – an artist can simply upload their music for free, we send them back a genuine A&R feedback form on their music, we can get their music played on Yahoo Radio, we can get them licensed through Getty Images/Pump Audio, we can get them distributed on Slacker Radio, or get their music on iTunes through Tunecore. This list goes on… we’ll have hundreds of opportunities over time that will benefit artists in literally countless ways. It would have been great to have had Hello Music when I was playing, but it’s tremendously rewarding to be able to help artists on this side of the business now.
New artists check it out:
Carissa Rossi
Skullcandy x Roc Nation Headphones
Well, anyone could have seen this coming. Given Dr. Dre’s Beats by Dre line striking a chord of success amidst audiophiles and hip hop heads nationwide it was only a matter of time before another brand sought out another music mogul to co-sign a competing line. And who better than Jay-Z? Now cue Puff Daddy signing on, somewhere, with someone. From the press release:
Skullcandy strikes an aural coup and announces a unique partnership with Roc Nation to advance the audio experience. This first joint venture for the two brands affords both the opportunity to collaborate in the marketing as well as the creative direction of all merchandise. The power of this partnership will push new levels of style and sound in the marketplace and redefine the music listening experience.
Commented Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, “Our passion is creating amazing music. We’re dedicated to delivering the best in live performances. Now with the Roc Nation/Skullcandy partnership, we’re offering the best way for people to experience the soundtrack of their lives.”
First up in this venture is the Roc Nation Aviator. Designed with superior metals, polycarbonate headphone cups, plush memory foam ear cushions, and premium materials previously only seen in the realm of high-fashion eyewear. Utilizing top-grade components, the Aviator’s replication of studio music delivers a phonic experience with clarity and pure fidelity.
Commented Rick Alden, Skullcandy CEO, “This partnership is an incredible opportunity for Skullcandy. By teaming up with Roc Nation on both the creative and marketing direction of these products, we are able to set the bar at a new high – challenging the future quality of what emerges in the industry from here on out.”
I can actually attest to the sound quality on these as I’ve used an unlabeled pair so to speak, and they sound pretty damn good. Solid lows, crisp trebles, and an overall well designed pair of headphones. They’re slated to be available in June 2010, and more information can be found at http://www.skullcandy.com/rocnation.
Facebook Privacy Steps Up
Over the course of the past few weeks Facebook has been turned over the knee of the collective technology media news-front, and had their ass handed to them, repeatedly.
However, it’s been with due cause; after the infamous Zuckerberg chat logs leaking, countless questionable privacy alterations, and a genuine disregard for communication with users, the social media monster has made some hefty changes to the 500+ million user network.
For one, users will now be able to monitor how and what devices are accessing their profiles. For example, lets say X user has an iPhone and Laptop that they use as their primary means of checking their account. Now when X user’s account has a login attempt by anything but those devices, the account can be set to prompt a series of questions to validate they are who in fact they say they are, e.g. Verify birthday, individuals in photos, you get the drift.
Next up is my personal favorite, I.P. logging per account. Those of you familiar with G-Mail should be familiar with this concept, in short, it allows you to trace virtually any logins to any Facebook accounts. This would have been useful for me last year when I had my ex lurking my profile.
If you’re not savvy as to what an I.P. address (Internet Protocol address) is, think of it as the trail you leave behind when visiting any and all websites. So when an unfamiliar I.P. pops up in the log, run an online Geo-Locator using said I.P., and pinpoint the sucker. Then you can have your very own personal C.S.I. moment when you corner your perpetrator, tell them you tracked their Internet Protocol address with a Geo-Locator, and follow it all up with a punch to the kidneys. Case closed.
Account I.P. monitoring is a welcomed change for “trustworthy” couples and regular users alike because prior to these new features, Facebook wouldn’t send any I.P. logs without a subpoena. Then again, fault the fool who gives their significant other their Facebook password in the first place, but I digress.
With a security policy that word for word, is longer than the U.S. constitution, and a affinity for negative press as of late, it’s about time Facebook put their privacy-pants on. To access the new features, simply click “Account Settings” and scroll down to “Account Security”, then click “Change. Bare in mind, it’s a staggered update, so if you don’t see it, don’t fret, it’s on its way.
Contact Kenneth, the author of this post, at k@theurbanian.com or @kennygw on Twitter.
Ferris Bueller: The Twitter Version
One of the most popular John Hughes films of all time is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Many high school students always dream of executing the perfect day of hookey. Not only does the protagonist, Ferris, manage to do this in the film, but he ends up having a most memorable adventure.
Well for those who love the film, here’s a different way to experience it: through Twitter. Yes, in one of the most genius uses of Twitter to ever be put forth, someone created an account for Bueller. Using Twitter, we get 140 character accounts of the happenings during the film in chronological order.
We get tweets like: “to mr. abe frohman, i sincerely apologize for taking your reservation. i’ll be sure to pick up some of your sausages if it’s any consolation.” And: “just parked the car downtown. attendant seemed a bit off, but he assured me he was a professional.”
Not only are there tweets, but also usage of twitpics, foursquare, and @ replies to Sloane and Cameron.
To see all the tweets of the film in its entirety, visit www.twitter.com/ferris_bueller_
Men’s Journal May, Phenomenal Photo Shoot
Deep within quasi-bike friendly New York, sits photographer Dylan Coulter’s modest Brooklyn studio. A studio where for the May 2010 Men’s Journal, a phenomenal shoot was done highlighting the road cyclings little and more impressive brother, Cyclocross.
The shoot highlighted some of the U.S.’s top riders and managed to put them side by side in a messily yet effectively clean and crisp shoot. We’ve said enough, watch the above vid, enjoy the K’Naan backing, and photogs take note.
The Polaroid PX Instant Film is Alive, Beautifully
Just a quick update regarding the past announcement of Polaroid making their highly clamored return to the instant film industry. 3 years later, the Impossible Project has done the impossible, rebranding a classic, packaging it beautifully, and fighting the digital photo front head on. The PX Films debuted on March 25th, and have been available in limited qualities, and mainly over the pond. Grab some film at The-Impossible-Project for $21.00 while they last.
Offbeat Tech Buyers Guide
Disposable income, some of us have it, many of us don’t and when you do, what better way to burn it on than moderately useful technology. However, on the plus side, we put together a quick guide to invest some of that spare change into stuff that you really probably don’t need, but would love to have. Let er’ rip.
1. Portar Classic x Freecom 1.8″ Portable Hard Drive
That’s right, a hard drive wrapped in premier leather, hand-stitched, and about as un-nerdy as you can get. That is until someone catches you plugging what ostensibly appears to be a wallet into your computer. Regardless, it’s a damn sexy take on external hard drives and well worth the money. Available at FREECOM
2. Crooks & Castles AK-47 Bullet USB Key
Nothing says bad ass, like a USB flash drive shaped like a bullet. Pull this bad boy out and you’ve got yourself the perfect blend between geek and streets. Leave it to Crooks & Castles to bridge the gap. Each bullet uncaps to unsheathe a 2GB. USB drive that’d definitely be keychain worthy. Available at Crooks & Castles online.
3. Keyport Slide V.01
Last but certainly not least comes the Keyport Slide. Finally peeking it’s head out of alpha-production, the phenomenal concept of all your keys in one place becomes a reality in a way that would leave even Tony Stark a little wet in the pants. I could probably do without all the print branding on the side, but I’ll suffice to say that the snappy switch key functionality makes up for it. Available for at KeyPort for $79
Crosley Revolution : Vinyl Jockeys Delight
After scouring the web up and down for a quasi-mobile turntable, Crosley, the vinyl brand authority delivered in spades. Put it on your desk, coffee-table, wherever, but know wherever it goes you’ll have yourself an on-hand vinyl recording deck. The two speed (33 1/3 and 45 RPM), portable player can play 7” and 12” records. The Crosley Revolution also features a USB interface allowed for quick analog to digital transitions right on your desktop.
The Crosley Revolution retails for $150 and is coming soon. Stay tuned at CrosleyRadio.com
Nas Featured on New Gil Scott-Heron Track
“I’m New Here” is the ironic title of Gil Scott-Heron’s first album released in 16 years. Nas laid laid some rhymes over this snappy tune off of the effort entitled “New York is Killing Me”. You’ll probably get this one stuck in your head (in a good way).
Check. it. out.
Incase 2010 Spring Canvas Collection
Props to Hypebeast for the first look on the Spring 2010 collection. Having had my hands on the black Incase canvas collection, the line gets a nod for both build quality and aesthetics. The Spring 2010 collection dons a sterile grey that makes for a clean minimal look for carrying any and all of your goods.
As always, Incase chocks each bag full of useful interior compartments and most importantly, great laptop protection. Each bag has a laptop compartment coated with lush faux-fur, that fits up to a 15″ MacBook Pro (real talk, Incase is for Mac’s). In addition to solid laptop protection, each bag has a quick-access iPhone pocket and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Contact Kenneth, the author of this post, at k@theurbanian.com or @kennygw on Twitter.
