Want to listen to new Beach House songs? First, you have to play a game
When it comes to unveiling a new album, it’s no longer enough to just release a few promotional singles before the eventual album release date. As record labels’ belts tighten even more, artists, especially indie artists, have to come up with more and more creative ideas to 1) engage their fanbases and 2) get people to buy tickets to live shows, which are now the real moneymakers in the music industry. Which is why we’re in awe of dream pop duo Beach House’s clever marketing strategy: You can listen to some new songs, but before you tune in, you have to find them. Say what?
The band, whose last album Bloom debuted at #7 on the Billboard Top 200, has developed two unique website features to get their fans’ (and music writers’) attention. The first, “Single Finder,” asks site visitors to choose their top three Beach House songs. After receiving that input, the website plays you the song off of upcoming album Depression Cherry that it thinks you’ll love best. However, two of the songs you can receive as answers are unreleased: “PPP” and “Beyond Love” aren’t out on any platform yet, which means that you’ll have to game the “Single Finder” site in order to listen to those songs. (You can also get first single “Sparks,” but what’s the fun in hearing a song that’s already available? Beach House gets this.)
That’s not the only feature available on Beach House’s website: If you click on their “Tour Dates (+ setlist creator)” link, you’ll notice an unusual option alongside the usual ticket link. Clicking on “Setlist Creator” takes you to the following menu, where you’re asked to rank your top three Beach House songs:
So uh, what is this? No less than Beach House crowdsourcing fans’ favorite songs and using that information to plan out what they play on their tour — which means happier fans and easier preparation for the band.
While we live in a world where people can release full albums without warning, and/or for free, there’s something to be said for artists finding new ways to listen to the people who fund their work. It’s easier than ever to start a music career, but it’s much harder to stay relevant. Beach House has gotten our attention — and of course, the new songs are just enough to pique our appetite for the album, which drops on August 28.
Oh happy day: Wilco just dropped a FREE album for the weekend
Drake dropped a surprise mixtape last night, and it’s pretty dope
