Just another week here at Topspin HQ. Bob Moz is handing out ice cream sandwiches, Will has a scrolling light thing hanging on the wall showing what’s currently playing on the office AirTunes, Brad is oozing like a zombie, and Tim set up a gorgeous drum kit which supposedly fits in a backpack or some such. And as always, everyone is either building the next version of the Topspin platform or helping artists release and market music direct to their fans. Here are a few of the things we’ve been working on lately:
I first heard Eminem on The Wake Up Show long before he had been produced by Dr. Dre. I was blown away and bought the EP mail order from SandboxAutomatic.com (their site hasn’t changed much since). A lot has changed for Em since then but one thing has not: Eminem is one of the most talented MCs in the history of rap. Love him or hate him, it’s hard to deny his skills (or Dre’s beats (or Beats — that one’s for you, Jimmy)). They’ve done it again and it’s a blast to help them with their direct-to-fan campaign. Come on over to Eminem.com for a soon-to-be-rare limited edition package including Eminem’s John Hancock, a commemorative pill bottle (!), vinyl, hoodies, and optionally an Undefeated t-shirt made in a limited run of only 313. Maybe someday it’ll be worth what this Nike from Eminem’s last record is going for on Ebay.
On a slightly different note, this month has seen the launch of not one but three different projects where the music sold raises money for charity:
First off, David Byrne has released an EP of live music from his recent (and ongoing) “Songs of Brian Eno” tour. The EP is only $3.99 and the proceeds go to Amnesty International.
Waxploitations’ second installment in their “Causes” series brings together everyone from My Morning Jacket to Gnarls Barkley raising money for relief efforts in Darfur. Play the video above for a preview.
And Arcade Fire have signed 250 limited edition DVDs of their fabled Miroir Noir project, for sale for $250 each, with proceeds to benefit Partners In Health. Every DVD purchase comes with a digital download of the movie (high def available!) for instant gratification. Tis a great way to give with to a good cause.
You may remember Van Hunt from his incredible albums on Capitol Records, Van Hunt and On The Jungle Floor. If you don’t, let me tell you that while he was mis-labeled early on as “neo-soul”, according to his Wikipedia page his influences include David Bowie, Serge Gainsbourg, and Iggy Pop in addition to Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, and Prince. Van is the real deal and we’re honored to have helped him release a collection of b-sides and rarities entitled Use in Case of Emergency. Take a listen, pick up a copy, tell a friend, and we’ll see you at Van’s shows at Zanzibar on the 15th and 22nd of this month.
World renown DJ and producer Adam Freeland put a band together and is releasing their full-length album, COPE™, in June. Pre-order the record now from the FREELAND site. Check out the above for a great sampler from the record where Adam takes you inside the recording and behind the songs. A great way to introduce the record, IMHO.
Beck released not one but two albums in 1994, his breakthrough Mellow Gold as well as the critically acclaimed One Foot In The Grave, recorded by Calvin Johnson and released on K Records. The album has been reissued with nearly twice as many tracks, and the version on Beck.com comes with vinyl, a tote bag, and a signed poster from Mr. Hansen himself. They’re almost gone, so if you’re interested, come on through.
There was much more, but there are already WAY TOO MANY Flash widgets on this page. Please also check out releases by our friends Chester French, the US release of the AMAZING King Khan and The Shrines record “What Is?!”, plus free tracks from The Everybody, Water and Bodies and Limetree Warehouse. Apologies to everyone I’m leaving out. Back to work!
ps – I’m just realizing that the Byrne/Eno record came with a little pill, the Em record comes with a pill bottle, and Josh Freese was offering “take shrooms and drive around in Danny from Tool’s Lamborghini”. Coincidence or inadvertent direct-to-fan theme?
