The SXSWi themes this year were mobile and games. The keynote by the SCVNGR kid got me dreaming of how I might use a location based service to augment gigs, possibly in remote settings. My mind has been reeling with ideas for mobile apps and ways to use location to enhance, reward, share, and show what I’m doing musically.
So I was thrilled to find this panel today, Rockin’ the Check-in: Location Strategies for Musicians, where the Gowalla music dude (@jimcaroll) testified to what a huge, wide open potential there is for collaboration. Here are my notes and some clues for where to begin.
- develop a custom badge
- give fans status/rewards for check-ins and more check-ins
- musicians, indie artists aren’t using LBS, huge potential
- a few have: Josh Grobin, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Better Than Ezra, Old 97’s
- integrate with Soundcloud and Hipdigital
- Weezer offered a download for checkin at concert, best price on album, millions of views, chance to win trip to concert
- OYA – Norwegian Festival that utilized completely (700+)
- The National offered an album for a checkin at a record store
- make a map of artist’s favorite places (to play, to see music, to eat, etc.)
- create an experience (the digital natives expect it)
- develop using the API, lots of potential for combining available data in cool new ways
- the MP3 is dead, long live the API!
- links available at http://www.delicious.com/clroyal/rockcheck
