a friend recently introduced me to a music social network called mixcloud. it's a well designed, interactive online radio network site that gives listeners control over what they want to listen to in what's referred to as cloudcasts; audio shows that are stored in a "cloud" and available to be streamed on-demand. it's like the youtube of music (just audio though). users can search and listen to a wide variety of music like house, dj mixed sets, ambient, funk/soul, jazz, indie, hip hop, drum and bass, dancehall reggae, world, and more. there's even talk radio and lectures in topics like business, politics, news, comedy, culture, music, sport, and technology. the london based mixcloud.com has been around for some time, it was launched in 2008 by co-founders nico perez and mat clayton. this short video demonstrates how mixcloud works.
Mixcloud - About video from Mixcloud on Vimeo.
the layout is cool, hip and visually appealing. navigating through the site is fluid and intuitive, and options are easy to follow and user friendly. content is uploaded by users, music publishers, trusted dj's, radio hosts, and podcasters. so far, i've listened to dj/producer behrouz and paul oakenfold.
listeners can follow other listeners and artists. they can check out what their friends have been listening to on the listener's profile page. users can also share their listening sessions on other social network platforms, ie Facebook, Twitter, even blogs too. anyway, here's the house mix by behrouz (from his siriusFM satellite radio show) i listened to while i worked and spruced up the house today.
Pure Berouz Radio Show #27 (1.15.11)
i'm assuming mixcloud is kind of a music testing ground of some sorts, unlike commercial radio that forces music on you. it trends what users are streaming the most, pushing it to the top of the hot/popular list. there's also a list for new uploads. radio presenters and DJs benefit as well, they're able to share and promote their shows without having to use filing sharing sites. i wonder how much content is actually on mixcloud? it'll be interesting to see what mixcloud produces and manifests into in the coming years. i hope it sticks around.
personally, i like it better than other free internet radio sites like pandora.com. it's online radio that's cool and interactive, although i'm not sure if i want to be all that sociable just yet. i'm just glad i was introduced to this network. i cannot wait to explore, share, and listen to more music.
the behrouz mix i'm listening to is almost over, darn it! although i was just reminded by the san francisco/miami based dj's usual tag and sign-off which best describes mixcloud, "it's all about the music!"
