PlayNetwork's Blog

This Is How Music Affects the Retail Experience For Brands

pressant — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:56:14 +0000

Brands today are leveraging the power of music to make authentic connections with their customers, but also see the benefits in their bottom line through a richer shopping experience, deeper customer engagement, stronger affinity and returning customers.

Here are 11 more ways that music impacts the shopping experience for brands and customers…

2012 Music Supervisors Top 40 Albums (the final 20!)

pressant — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:16:58 +0000

We round out the month of January with the final 20 artists from our top 40 Albums of 2012 Music Supervision team. Stay tuned through 2013 to more great music coming our way!

An added bonus for you audiophiles: we’ve built an exclusive channel on our web radio player featuring all of artists on our Top 40 list. Click the image below to enjoy!

20-BatForLashes “Haunted Man”

19 – Bamboos
“Medicine Man”

18 – The XX
“Coexist”

17 – Macklemore & Ryan
Lewis “The Heist”

16 – Grizzly Bear “Shields”

15 – Flying Lotus “Until The Quiet Comes”

14-Michael Kiwanuka “Home Again”

13 – Fiona Apple “The Idler Wheel…”

12 – Beach House
“Bloom”

11 – Wild Nothing
“Nocturne”

10 – Alt-J
“An Awesome Wave”

9 – Santigold
“Master Of My Make-Believe”

8 – First Aid Kit
“The Lion’s Roar”

7 – Chromatics
“Kill For Love”

6 – Cat Power
“Sun”

5 – John Talabot
“Fin”

4 – Tame Impala
“Lonerism”

3 – Jessie Ware
“Devotion”

2 – Father John Misty
“Fear Fun”

1 – Grimes
“Visions”

2012 Top Music Supervisors Top 40 Albums (30-21)

pressant — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:37:36 +0000

Our 2012 Music Supervisor Top 40 Album countdown continues with 30-21. In these you’ll find a good mix of flavors…hip-hop, rock, pop, electronica, with a solid international flair. Check out the videos for each artist.

30. Tanlines
“Mixed Emotions”

Tanlines: All of Me

29. Frankie Rose
“Interstellar”

Frankie Rose: Know Me

28. Django Django
“Django Django”

Django Django: Default

27. Frank Ocean
“Channel Orange”

Frank Ocean: Sweet Life

26. Niki & The Dove
“Instinct”

Niki & The Dove: The Fox

25. Twin Shadow
“Confess”

Twin Shadow: Five Seconds (NSFW)

24. THEE Satisfaction
“Awe Naturale”

THEE Satisfaction: QueenS

23. Yuna
“Yuna”

Yuna: Thinkin Bout You (Frank Ocean Cover)

22. Kindness
“World, You Need A Change Of Mind”

Kindness: Swinging Party

21. Kendrick Lamar
“good kid, m.A.A.d city”

Kendrick Lamar: Swimming Pools

The Official PlayNetwork Music Supervisor (personal) Top 40 Albums of 2012

pressant — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:18:36 +0000

Happy New Year folks! As we close the door on 2012, we look back on the year in music. Every year our music supervisors spend countless hours ingesting thousands of artists, albums, and songs that wrap around their cerebellum and become the basis of the branded sounds we create for our clients. But, their own tastes are sometimes left out of the mix (so to speak).

This year, our diverse team of Music Supervisors all voted on their personal favorite albums of 2012, the music that caught their ear and stood out from the pack. We tabulated all the votes, ranking them in order, and this Music Supervisor Top 40 Albums of 2012 list captures some of the passion for new music and the individual tastes of our group.

Over the next several days, we’ll start at 40 and unveil ten at a time until we hit number one!

For a sneak peak into the list that we’re playing live at this very moment in our Redmond offices, scan this QR code below or you click this link!

So, without further ado, here’s 40 through 31…

Alex Cuba Brings His Latin-Funk-Jazz Fusion Sound to the PlayLive Stage

pressant — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:41:45 +0000

Cuban-born Alex Cuba is one of those rare singer-songwriters who sings both in English and in Spanish. Having spent his youth in Artemisa, which was formally part of La Habana Province in Cuba, he started to play the guitar at the tender age of six under the tutelage of his father with a mix of Jazz fusion style and Cuban Soul. In 1999 he moved to Canada and began making a name for himself playing alongside his twin brother in the duo The Puente’s Brothers while receiving his first acclaim with a Juno nomination. This of course was the first of many more accolades to follow.

After going solo for the first time in 2004 with his brother helping out in songwriting duties he released his debut record “Humo de Tabaco” (Tabaco Smoke) that included local Canadian Ron Sexsmith as a collaborator. With their song “Lo Mismo Que Yo” reaching #52 in the UK Singles Chart. Having since released 3 more records while winning two Juno Awards for “Humo de Tabaco” and “Agua Del Pozo”, he finally gained recognition from the Latin Grammy’s in 2010 winning Best New Artist.

Collaborating with acclaimed artists such as Nelly Furtado and Corinne Bailey Rae, he has been making his name with his amazing live shows mixing a fusion of Latin Pop, Funk, and Jazz. His latest release “Ruido En El Sistema” (Static in the System) is one of my favorites of the year with songs like the classic “Eres (Are You)”, “Como Sin Nada”, and “Todo En La Vida” to name a few.

Being the first time Alex has performed in Seattle, we are honored that he will be making a stop at our PlayLive stage tomorrow, October 23^rd with a performance the same evening at Seattle’s El Corazon.

Check out the official video for “Eres (Are You)”

Alex Espinosa – Associate Global Music Supervisor
PlayNetwork

Kris Orlowski – Local Indie Folk Artist Visits PlayNetwork

pressant — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:08:47 +0000

If you hang around the Seattle music scene long enough, you are bound to meet local singer-songwriter Kris Orlowski sooner than later. Much to our delight, he and his band recently passed through PlayNetwork on our PlayLive stage for an intimate performance. It’s easy to see how he has firmly established himself as a familiar face in Seattle’s indie folk circles, and is very well positioned to expand into wider recognition regionally and beyond.

It’s been a joy to see firsthand people’s positive responses to hearing his music played overhead in places like Starbucks or at SeaTac airport. Kris really is a great example of how PlayNetwork connects with a great local musician and everybody benefits: the company, the artist, and the audience. Seeing social media posts from excited fans surprised to hear the music in unexpected places proves that PlayNetwork provides valuable exposure for artists and a valuable service for businesses and brands. And it makes Music Supervision a very fun job to do!

Kris’s most recent project, in collaboration with violinist Andrew Joslyn, is an EP titled “Pieces We Are” which will be released on October 13^th. The release show at the Triple Door sold out very quickly, so another date has been added. The second show is likely to sell out too, so get those tickets while you still can!

Gabriel Marowitz, Associate Music Supervisor
PlayNetwork

Dragonette Debuts New Album and Rocks Seattle’s Showbox

pressant — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 20:51:03 +0000

PlayLive is excited to present Dragonette, a three piece electro-pop act from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The band’s collaboration with Martin Solveig for the number one dance hit “Hello” helped push them into mainstream in 2010.

Dragonette’s third LP, titled Bodyparts, was released this week on 9/25/12. The album is a lot of fun with some huge beats, memorable melodies, a pop formula, and infectious hand claps.

Dragonette is playing at Showbox at the Market Friday night as part of Decibel Festival, headlining the Decadance showcase with Icona Pop and The Knocks.

Check out the official video for “Let it Go”!

Shannon Cook, Music Supervisor
PlayNetwork

PlayLive! Gets Rocked By The Stone Foxes

pressant — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:37:18 +0000

As the week comes to a close, we reflect back on a week that began with a blistering set on the PlayLive stage by Bay Area rockers, The Stone Foxes…

Somewhere between blues, rock and country you’ll find The Stone Foxes. This was the first I’d heard of this band and their set was the perfect pick me up for a Monday. The band’s four members (Shannon Koehler, Spence Koehler, Aaron Mort, Avi Vinocur) are long time friends and roommates, and the brotherhood (both literally and figuratively) and ‘knowing’ showed in their performance that was alternately taut and loose with each other.

It’s a bit unorthodox to see the drummer as lead singer, but it perfectly matched the intensity these guys brought to the stage, and when Shannon hopped out from behind the traps and belted out some worthy Chicago blues harp sounds, we knew we were in for a treat. The Stone Foxes are a sure fit for gritty rock and roll (listen to their song “King Bee” used in the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey commercial) and I recommend checking out their highly energetic live show…they had us all out of our seats and clapping wildly on a Monday morning… that’s no easy feat around here!

Michael Beres, Client Coordinator
PlayNetwork

Gypsy Soul PlayLive Performance Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend!

pressant — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:18:54 +0000

What better way to start the Labor Day Weekend than with some music? We’re much obliged to take that advice and are happy to welcome Gypsy Soul to the PlayLive stage, tomorrow, Friday August 31st at 2:00pm.

Gypsy Soul is a California based Celtic soul band led by Cilette Swan and Roman Morykit that sings catchy folk based pop/rock songs.

Their music has aired all over the world and been featured in numerous television shows including Felicity, Roswell, and Providence.

The pair met in Scotland and formed a creative partnership that’s resulted in over ten CDs-including the latest, Grace and Tranquility.

They have been featured as critics Choice and Top Picks in numerous publications including the Seattle Post Intelligencer, LA Times, SF Examiner, Palo Alto Daily News, Bass Player, and Performing Songwriter.

In honor of their 11^th CD they are offering a free download of their new song, “Where Did We Go Wrong” available here: http://www.gypsysoul.com/

Click below to view one of their live performances from the Triple Door in Seattle.

If you’re in the Redmond area, come on by at 2pm to enjoy the show and kick-off the weekend! 8727 148th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052 MAP

Shannon Cook, Music Supervisor
PlayNetwork

NW Native Vicci Martinez takes the PlayLive Stage!

pressant — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:57:23 +0000

Tacoma, WA native Vicci Martinez was a singer and musician long before her successful run on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2011. Identifying primarily as a singer/songwriter creating and performing original material, she was admittedly a bit hesitant to jump into the reality TV arena at first. Not wanting to compromise her artistic integrity, Vicci reportedly passed up an early opportunity with American Idol before coming to terms with the realization that the exposure to a massive TV audience is actually a perfectly viable way to launch a career in today’s music industry.

Working closely with Cee Lo Green, Vicci was able to take full advantage of the television platform by ending the show in 3^rd place overall. She recently cut her first single “Come Along” with her famous mentor featured on the track. Picking up tons of new fans, industry connections, and adding the weight of a Grammy-winning artist to her debut release on the Universal label (sorry Cee Lo, no pun intended), Vicci Martinez is living her dream. A talented singer and solid guitar player, she will be riding this wave of success for some time to come. Here is a recent video (just published) of a stripped down, acoustic performance of the new single. Enjoy!

Gabriel Marowitz, Associate Music Supervisor
PlayNetwork