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Mute Records, a subsidiary of EMI, can justly lay claim to being a digital pioneer having been the first UK record company to have an internet presence – as long ago as 1994 in the very early days of the world wide web. They made a name for themselves as a home for electronic pop in the 1980s by launching bands like Depeche Mode, Erasure and Yazoo.
Working with Mute we help them to continue to break new ground, both creatively and technologically. Featured here are three very different, but equally innovative projects for two of their current artists – Goldfrapp and Richard Hawley.
1 [ of 4 ] Title screen from game.
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2 [ of 4 ] Splash and instructions screen from game.
3 [ of 4 ] Screen shots of in-game play
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This 3d pinball game for the iPhone, allows the player to remix Goldfrapp’s music and was released to support the single ‘Believer’.
The free app features samples from Goldfrapp’s album, ‘Head First’. A tap of the finger on the iPhone screen powers the ball and sets its path through an imaginary urban environment with towering skyscrapers. As the ball collides with objects different sound samples are triggered, creating a unique remix every time a game is played whilst a global leader board allows you to match your score with other players around the world. Occasionally clouds float across the screen obscuring the ball and making game-play that little bit harder. Corporation Pop’s Game Analytics Engine allows in-game events to be tracked so that future releases can be made more or less difficult to play, depending on the user data that is collected.
The ball is moved by both tapping the screen and tilting the phone. It’s really rewarding watching people play as they shake the phone to get rid of the clouds or try tilting it to influence the direction of the ball. The real bonus comes when they trigger a vocal sample which mixes beautifully over the backing track. It’s a great game to play in its own right but the Goldfrapp connection and the ability to remix their music make it really engaging.
1 [ of 8 ] Richard outside his house
2 [ of 8 ] Richard's island in the shape of his treasured Gretsch guitar.
3 [ of 8 ] Richard's red brick terraced house.
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5 [ of 8 ] If Sheffield had a beach…
6 [ of 8 ] Camera sensitive markers were placed on Richard in the motion capture suite.
7 [ of 8 ] Richard during his live in-world performance
8 [ of 8 ] The guitar once purchased comes with an audio track and motion captured hand movements.
Richard Hawley is a modern-day crooner with a retro image yet his fans are typically media savvy 18-34 year olds. Mute were interested in exploring new ways of marketing a 40 something tech averse artist to this audience and so, in 2007, we proposed the development of a virtual world space where fans could experience a real sense of engagement with the artist. Second Life provided the ideal platform offering a level of interactivity unmatched by any other medium.
Richard’s real-life terraced house appears as if wrenched from the streets of Sheffield and dumped on the edge of a less than idyllic desert island littered with carrier bags and beer cans. We’ve created an experience that starkly contrasts with the rest of Second Life and reflects his gritty northern roots. Inside the house you can watch his videos, play his music, see his books (and buy them on Amazon) and find out what’s cooking in the kitchen. You feel like a privileged guest in his home. We use motion capture & live audio streaming to create a truly lifelike avatar that walks, sings and plays guitar just like Richard. You feel like he is really there.
This project is one of a select few chosen by Linden Labs (owners of the platform) to appear in their destination guide as one of the best ‘places’ to visit in Second Life. In 2008 it was a finalist in the ‘best interactive’ category at the London Design Week YDA Awards. As The Guardian newspaper said, ‘it has a humour, warmth and ability to hold your interest that’s decidedly rare in Second Life.’
1 [ of 6 ] Website homepage
2 [ of 6 ] Online shop selling branded mechanise
3 [ of 6 ] Gallery featuring custom photo and video browsers.
4 [ of 6 ] 'At a glance' calendar of events and upcoming gigs with location (Google Maps) and ticket links.
5 [ of 6 ] Password protected press area.
6 [ of 6 ] Hand-drawn 'family tree' available to download or purchase as a limited edition poster.
This website for Richard Hawley was launched in September 2009 to coincide with the release of his sixth (and we think best) album, ‘Truelove’s Gutter’.
Using a pop-out customised window player, visitors can pick their favourite track to listen to whilst browsing his site, which is user-friendly, easy to navigate and contains up-to-the-minute information.
The site also features a guestbook for visitors to leave comments and a calendar of events for fans to view upcoming shows and tours, including links to ticket information.
Richard Hawley said: “I am really happy how the site has been made. Corporation Pop has done a great job. It feels a lot more representative of me and hopefully is slightly more interesting to fans.”
www.richardhawley.co.uk
