However, NFTs are also an important link in the growing sphere of what is commonly called the metaverse.

Read more: Warner Music Group is brining live music to the metaverse

When Facebook rebranded as Meta in October 2021, it inspired a flurry of discussion around the metaverse. The concept of the metaverse can seem unclear, especially given how often it’s thrown around in the media. It’s natural to associate it with online gaming or high-ticket real estate sales.

However, the metaverse is more than that and is actually very simple. With the integration of the metaverse and NFTs, we found the lost piece to virtual reality. More importantly, this rebrand paved the road to wider adoption, not only of NFTs but also of blockchain-based technology in general. 

So, what actually is the metaverse?

In order to continue, we first need to explore what a metaverse really is. Metaverses are essentially a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection. Simply put, a metaverse can be understood as a shared virtual space that resembles our experience of the physical world. For instance, players can purchase virtual assets such as land or vehicles, enter events such as music concerts or hang out with friends in a virtual cafe.

In this sense, metaverses are places where you can customize your life however you like, meet new people from the comfort of your house or create anything you want to. In these spaces, your imagination is the only limit.

The term metaverse dates all the way back to the 1992 science-fiction novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. The book presents the metaverse as an environment where developers can create their own buildings, parks, even things that don’t exist in reality, such as flying cars or combat zones where people can battle.

Are metaverses just video games?

Sounds familiar? That’s because it is. Brands of the gaming industry have already brought those features into their own games. Take for example Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios, or The Elder Scrolls Online by ZeniMax Online Studios. In these spaces, you can create, interact and engage in combat. Basically, video games provide a virtual space that resembles reality while also delivering unique experiences.

Here is the key question, though: What do all these online multiplayer games currently lack? What is the difference between old and new metaverses?

The issue concerns the level of centralization. What’s currently missing from most games is a way for individuals to have real-life ownership of what’s being built. Currently, your in-game efforts, the things you earn or create, remain in a virtual space owned by a specific game builder. These spaces typically don’t have a way to add value to the hours spent in such a world.

That means that in a centralized digital world, the moderators have absolute power. If they wish, they can cease operations at any given time, something that regularly happens as games age or stop receiving support. That’s where NFTs come into play.

Why does the metaverse need NFTs?

The main connection between the metaverse and NFTs is related to digital assets and how they are given value. The metaverse allows people to showcase digital forms of art and to own property or any other sort of digital item. NFTs allow them to add value to that content with proof of ownership.

With NFTs being attached to a specific item in that virtual world, that automatically makes the owner of that NFT token, which is verified by the blockchain technology, the owner of the item it represents. That item can be a painting, a recording, in-game loot, a piece of virtual land — you name it.

The metaverse is a massive concept, and NFTs could serve as the key to reaching its full potential. They are very likely to become the optimal currency for it, meaning that they can be used as deeds to virtual property or even to provide you exclusive access to locations within the metaverse. Interestingly, the same functionalities of NFTs in the metaverse could be used to provide access to real-world events, advertising or as a source of income for many people.

Interoperability in the metaverse

Blockchain technology has given us the tools we need to realize the full potential of a true metaverse. Furthermore, virtual assets such as lands and digital currencies are scarce because everything is recorded in the digital ledger. 

Currently, we have only the perception of what a metaverse actually is. The future is in interoperability, or integration, across worlds. That is to say, the metaverse can integrate platforms and media formats. This would allow metaverse engagement to feel like full, robust experiences — rather than a single play session or storage for virtual assets.

To make interoperability clearer, let’s return to the example of Minecraft and The Elder Scrolls. Imagine you have a friend who plays Minecraft, and you play Elder Scrolls. Neither of you necessarily wants to buy a new game and start playing from the beginning just so you two can interact. What options do you have?

Read more: What are NFTs actually used for? A guide, from art and music to gaming and movies

Right now, the answer is probably “not many.” This is why some virtual experiences can feel singular and private. While the virtual world is becoming a huge part of our lives, we only have fragmentary examples of online virtual interactions: playing video games, interacting on social media platforms, a Zoom call to catch up with family and friends during quarantine.

Now, imagine a single universe where everyone can connect to the virtual realities of others. This vision is interoperability. You could talk, hang out, play a quick game of some kind or even share experiences from the platforms of your choice. Interoperability has the potential to connect us, to friends, family members, co-workers or anyone else we choose.

Given the current limitations of technology, the full potential of the metaverse is waiting to be unlocked. However, it could transform into the ultimate way for people to virtually interact with each other in the future. Blockchain technology is going to play a pivotal role in opening the virtual world to everyone in a decentralized manner. NFTs will add value to everyone’s experiences.

Early history: 2012-2016

NFTs on Bitcoin?

While many people nowadays associate NFTs with the Ethereum blockchain, the reality is that the concept has been around long before Ethereum existed. 

Colored Coins 2012

On Dec. 4, 2012, a paper was released by Meni Rosenfeld that introduced the concept of “Colored Coins,” issued on the Bitcoin blockchain. Colored Coins describe a class of methods for representing and managing real-world assets on top of the Bitcoin blockchain and can be used to prove ownership of those assets. They are basically regular Bitcoins, but with a mark on them, that determines their use.

Read more: What exactly are NFTs? Understanding the world of non-fungible tokens

For instance, imagine you have four different bank accounts, and you want to assign a use-case to each one. Say that there’s a bank account for saving, one for bills, another for gambling and one more for college savings. The money then becomes segregated and unique.

Even though the concept of Colored Coins was never realized, due to the limitations of Bitcoin, it laid the groundwork for further NFT experimentations in the future.

Who created the first NFT? 2014

On May 3, 2014, Kevin McCoy, a digital artist, minted the first-known NFT “Quantum.” Quantum is a pixelated octagon filled with different shapes that pulse in a quite hypnotic way. On November 28. 2021, the one-of-a-kind Quantum art piece sold for over $1.4 million in a Sotheby auction.

2014-2016

During those years, a significant amount of development and experimentation has taken place in platforms built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. It was the start of Ethereum’s initial reign over NFTs. Most notable is the Counterparty platform (Bitcoin 2.0), which allowed the creation of digital assets. Later on, Spells of Genesis followed Counterparty’s footsteps and through its platform pioneered issuing game assets. Finally, the meme age began in 2016, with the release of Rare Pepes NFTs on the Counterparty platform. 

However, it should be noted that it was never intended to act as a database for these alternative tokens. Many Bitcoin users didn’t like the idea of filling precious block space with tokens that represented ownership of images. That was the beginning of the shift for NFTs to the Ethereum blockchain.

NFTs go public: 2017-2021

NFTs find a better home on Ethereum

With the introduction of the Ethereum blockchain in 2014 and its platform going live July 30, 2015, a new age for the NFTs began. The Ethereum blockchain introduced a set of token standards that allowed the creation of tokens by developers. In brief, the token standard is the subsidiary of the smart contract standard. For the blockchain that supports the smart contracts, the token standard is often included to tell people how to create, issue and deploy new tokens, which are based on their underlying blockchain. 

Cryptopunks 2017

Following the success of the Rare Pepes, John Watkinson and Matt Hall decided to create a generative project on Ethereum. No two characters generated would be the same, limited to 10,000 pieces. The project’s name was Cryptopunks and is the only project that used the ERC-20 to launch (ERC-721 wasn’t introduced yet), although many people in the NFT space call it a hybrid of the ERC-20 and ERC-721 standards. Now combine the historical value and scarcity with the NFT surge in 2021 and you can understand why Cryptopunk NFTs are sold for such prices. One even hit the $530 million mark, making it the highest NFT sale yet.

CryptoKitties: 2017-2018

CryptoKitties is a blockchain-based virtual game that allows players to adopt, breed and trade virtual cats from the safety of your own wallet. It was released by a Vancouver-based company called Axiom Zen and was introduced during the world’s largest hackathon for the Ethereum ecosystem. With over 400 developers attending, it was the perfect place to introduce the game. This project went viral soon after. It was so popular that people were making crazy profits trading those cats. Also, the activity was so high that CryptoKitties clogged the Ethereum blockchain in general, which made it even more prominent. After witnessing this activity, people began to realize the true power and potential of NFTs.

NFT gaming: 2018-2020

Between this period and moving forward, NFTs slowly but surely caught public attention, most certainly through NFT gaming and metaverse projects. The first to enter this space with its decentralized Ethereum-based VR platform was Decentraland (MANA). In Decentraland, gamers can explore, build, play games, collect items and more. Imagine Minecraft, but whatever you build, find and earn there, you own as well.

Soon after, platforms and games with Enjin Coin (ENJ) started emerging, a blockchain-based platform that allows developers to tokenize in-game items on Ethereum. With the use of ENJ, it can back those items with real-world value. Likewise, Axie Infinity (AXS) surfaced, a blockchain-based trading and battling game that’s partially owned and operated by its players. All those platforms were in development through the crypto-winter (bear market) and under the radar of many people. That is until 2021 came and NFTs went mainstream.

What the future holds: 2021

The NFT explosion 2021

In 2021, interest in NFTs increased. Other Blockchains such as Cardano, Solana, Tezos, Flow, etc. started getting into the game with their own version of NFTs, establishing new standards to ensure that the digital assets represented are authentically one of a kind. Specifically, at the beginning of the second quarter of the year, the buying surge was so astonishing that the mainstream media often called for a huge bubble that’s about to burst. Likewise, the fourth quarter showed a significant surge in NFT demand, especially in the metaverse field just after the announcement of Facebook renaming itself as Meta and moving to the metaverse as well.

2021 and beyond

The history of non-fungible tokens is much longer than most people realize. As we start moving from an experimental era to the mainstream, the future holds endless opportunities. Despite the massive growth that we recently experienced, I believe that this space is still young, and growth will only continue. In fact, I believe that the NFT space will grow as more and more people realize the impact that NFTs can have in most of our current fields.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE. Please do your own research and consult with professionals when making any investments.

Header image created by pikisuperstar.

To kick off the month, Twitch livestreamed the OUTLOUD: Raising Voices concert, which featured performances from artists such as Hayley Kiyoko, Adam Lambert and more. Every day of the month, a different LGBTQIA+ creator will also be featured on the Twitch homepage, an amazing opportunity for streamers to find new viewers. The platform also announced that streamers will now be able to choose from over 350 new content tags related to gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality and more. This inclusive update makes it much easier for viewers to find and connect with creators.

Read more: chloe moriondo thinks people should “experiment with their identity”

Additionally, with every purchase of a PRIDE 2021 merchandise item, Twitch will make a $5 donation to Trans Lifeline. While fundraising to help organizations and nonprofits is an important part of supporting the community, it’s even more important to follow and uplift LGBTQIA+ creators on the platform. 

Here are 11 Twitch streamers in nonbinary and other communities who you need to start watching this Pride Month—and continue supporting even after July rolls around.

Read more: 11 LGBTQIA+ and women-owned labels that are changing the music industry

violet

https://twitter.com/VibinWithViolet/status/1403192146904158208

The streams of full-time Overwatch player violet are the perfect combination of intense gameplay and relaxing commentary. Funky lo-fi background music and a welcoming community only add to the chill feel of the streams. Recently, violet also raised money during a charity stream for Trans Lifeline. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to crisis relief for the community, funding a hotline operated by and for transgender people.

applebbae

https://twitter.com/applebbae/status/1401932325332598792

If you’re looking for an entertaining Gen Z gamer, look no further than applebbae. How could you not love a streamer whose whole brand revolves around a delicious fruit? While applebbae is a variety streamer, they mainly play Minecraft while chatting with their supportive community. To kick off Pride Month, they participated in a Minecraft Pride Games to raise money for The Trevor Project.

HoneyedSatin

 

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Turtles in gaming? Say no more. HoneyedSatin is a self-described “goth thembo” who treats their viewers to turtle cams every time they stream. That’s right: You can watch them play games and see Liam and Copper (and a baby tortoise named Tiny Baby) make appearances. You can catch HoneyedSatin playing everything from lighthearted games such as The Sims 4 and Stardew Valley to more intense thrillers such as Visage and Little Nightmares 2.

waveswanders

https://twitter.com/waveswanders/status/1370522586199773192

While most people may initially equate Twitch with gaming, the art and music categories have so many talented artists of all mediums deserving of support. waveswanders is a rising star who frequently hosts streams of themselves working on their amazing digital art. In addition to creative streams, waveswanders also plays games such as Minecraft and VALORANT.

Wortermelon

 

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When you enter Wortermelon’s Twitch channel, you will be welcomed to the Melon Patch. Another fruit-referencing creator, Wortermelon is a variety streamer who plays games such as Heroes Of The Storm, Final Fantasy 14 and more. However, that isn’t all. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, you can find them getting into drag in the beauty and body art category. 

embersparxx

Even though embersparxx is still in high school and just started their Twitch channel in November 2020, they have quickly become a great addition to the platform’s LGBTQIA+ community. Inspired by other streamers, embersparxx’s biggest goal is to make their viewers’ days better and more entertaining. There’s no question that they have achieved that goal, playing cute and comical games such as Slime Rancher and Stardew Valley. 

eirawave

eirawave is a graphic designer, illustrator and performer who cultivates a creative and welcoming environment on their Twitch channel. Tuning into a stream means watching them work on their colorful digital art (and maybe playing some games such as Bloodborne as well). For all the chill and laid-back energy you could possibly want, eirawave is a perfect choice.

sab_olivewood

 

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You probably never think of opera music and online gaming at the same time. Enter sab_olivewood, a self-described “spooky and cozy gamer” who’s also an opera singer. Frequently playing games such as Stardew Valley, Phasmophobia and more, their Twitch channel is the place to be. Not to mention, every Friday they play Phasmophobia with a boba tea twist (aptly called “Phasmobobia Fridays”).  

beckers

beckers has a monopoly on “S” occupations, as they are a streamer, student and scientist. Streaming on their Twitch channel, they often play games such as Dead By Daylight, Super Mario Odyssey and more. Off-camera, they have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and are currently in school studying for a master’s degree. With an authentic personality that instantly connects you with them, beckers deserves to be on your follow list on Twitch.

EvilToaster

Warmly referred to as “The Toaster” by their community, EvilToaster is a competitive Overwatch player who also indulges in various other games such as League Of Legends, Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 and more. When you tune into an EvilToaster stream, you aren’t just getting to watch awesome gameplay—you will also experience a conversation-focused stream and connect with their community.

ladyalissa

 

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If you’re in the mood to sit back and relax while watching a stream, give ladyalissa a chance. Not only will you find a welcoming community in the chat, but ladyalissa almost exclusively plays the coziest and most nostalgic of games. On any given stream, you can catch them playing games such as Stardew Valley, The Sims 4 and Undertale.

One of the top 20 most streamed categories on Twitch, music is a place to find DJs with complex sets, acoustic singers armed with only a guitar and everything in between. While some musicians use Twitch to perform and promote their musical endeavors, some also just stream to have fun playing games with their friends.

Read more: AltPress Weekly: chloe moriondo cover, Architects, Turnstile and more

Whether you can find them in the music or gaming categories, here are 11 Twitch streamers making music who deserve to be on your radar.

mxmtoon

mxmtoon went from recording her self-released 2018 EP plum blossom in her parents’ guest bedroom to reaching nearly 500 million streams worldwide. Despite large numbers across the board, including almost 6 million Spotify followers, she still takes time to connect with her fans on a personal level via her Twitch channel. mxmtoon’s streams are a place of comfort, with guitars hanging on the wall and potted plants surrounding the singer as she plays both covers and original songs.

SUGR?

Steven Suptic, the mastermind behind the indie-pop project SUGR?, is both a comedian and a gamer. On his Twitch channel, he plays games such as Among Us (which quickly shot to popularity during quarantine last year), Fall Guys and VALORANT. SUGR?’s music matches the chill energy of Suptic’s streams, with plenty of compelling guitar riffs and synth parts. If you’re wanting a new indie obsession, look no further than SUGR?.

Stephanie Poetri

21-year-old Stephanie Poetri found her musical breakthrough when her Avengers: Endgame-inspired song “I Love You 3000” went viral online. Poetri combines her love for music and gaming on her Twitch channel, where she plays games such as Apex Legends. She also hosts streams where she performs her original songs for viewers. You can read more about Poetri in the 100 Artists You Need To Know issue of Alternative Press here.

JordinLaine

Music has always been a huge part of Twitch, and that was further proved when the platform made music an entire category instead of just a topic. Now, artists such as Canadian singer-songwriter JordinLaine, whose streams focus entirely on music, can reach a much bigger audience. The artists’s soulful voice fills the room as she performs her original songs for viewers in an authentic and stripped-back manner.

TheAlbertChang

Known as TheAlbertChang on Twitch and albie on Spotify, Albert Chang is a hobbyist who 3D-prints objects, does card tricks and has even restored a rusty Japanese chef knife on his streams. Boasting over half a million followers on his YouTube channel, he makes dreamy lo-fi music. He also recently announced that all of his music is DMCA-free, meaning others can play his songs on their own stream free from the fear of getting a copyright strike.

Scene Of Action

While the pandemic introduced a new virtual aspect of live music performances, Joel Montgomery of Scene Of Action has been doing just that for years on his Twitch channel. Scene Of Action transitioned into a solo act in 2015 after beginning as a band in 2007. He uses nine cameras—including a fascinating angle from the end of his guitar—controlled by foot switches to give viewers high-quality, cinematic performances. Then add in flashing LED lights, hazy smoke and lots of explosion graphics. Scene Of Action’s streams are an amazing sight to behold.

Alanna Matty

Need a break from the chaos of life? Look no further than Alanna Matty’s Twitch channel. With a warm and inviting feel, her peaceful corner of the internet is a welcome escape from reality. Streaming four times a week, the raw emotions captured in Matty’s live performances easily allow viewers to connect with her on a deeper level.

Lovejoy

English indie-rock band Lovejoy are fairly new in the scene, with only one EP, Are You Alright?, released in May. However, thanks in part to lead vocalist Wilbur Soot’s Twitch channel, the group have already racked up over 50 million streams and almost 2 million Spotify followers. Soot, who has garnered fans on Twitch due to his involvement in the Minecraft community, also makes solo music. Sonically similar to Lovejoy’s music, his songs are generally witty and irreverent, with names such as “Internet Ruined Me,” “I’m Sorry Boris” and “I’m In Love With An E-Girl.”

Megan Lenius

At the beginning of 2021, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda called for fans to submit songs that he could produce live on his Twitch channel. Singer-songwriter Megan Lenius was one musician picked, and he later streamed the entire process of producing her song “Not Your Game” from start to finish. A streamer herself, Lenius goes live five days a week, performing her original songs about love and relationships in a candid and relatable way.

LilyPichu

LilyPichu first gained popularity in 2011 after her parody song “I’ll Quit LoL” went viral on YouTube. Since then, she has created a community on her Twitch channel through her art and gaming streams. While she frequently plays games such as Minecraft and Genshin Impact, she also uses her platform to showcase her art. Her music features her sugary-sweet voice and pop-infused instrumentals that match one of her song titles all too well.

Lindsey Stirling

You may recognize the name Lindsey Stirling from her iconic choreographed violin performances on YouTube, starting with her appearance on America’s Got Talent in 2010. Her mixture of classical music, hip-hop and pop create a unique experience for fans. Her Twitch streams allow viewers to get an even more personalized experience as they watch her practice the violin, edit her videos and more.

Earlier this week, Eyedress—aka Idris Vicuña— teased the track on his social media. The artist took to Twitter to express his excitement Wednesday, also revealing a brief glimpse of the video’s retro visuals. Now, the video is here, available via YouTube.

Read more: Mike Shinoda drops “Happy Endings” video with iann dior and Upsahl

https://twitter.com/eyedress/status/1369738973187215361

Vicuña and King Krule, the stage name of Archy Marshall, have collaborated a number of times before. Krule was featured on Eyedress’ 2015 song “Return Of The Wicca Mane” (under the name Edgar The Breathtaker). Vicuña returned the favor, guesting on “The Cadet Leaps” for Krule’s 2017 album The OOZ.

In their latest collab, King Krule revamps Eyedress’s popular song “Jealous,” which dropped as a single in 2019. The new remix swaps out the skate punk vibes, opting for a dreamier, ambient sound. The feel of the new track is darker, bringing out the pain and hostility implied by the song’s lyrics.

The song is accompanied by a wild retro video, directed by Vicuña and animated by Josh Parsons. Parsons has provided visuals for a number of other music videos including Miles French’s “Corn Rows” and Jackson Lundy’s “Calypso.” The animator also previously collaborated with Vicuña, working on “Can I See You Tonight?” and “Skateboarding Day.”

Read more: 10 collabs from the 2000s that were so good, we wish they’d happen again

The animation for the “Jealous” remix is surreal, supplying a retro video game vibe. In the video, Vicuña and Krule set off on a ’90s Nintendo-style skateboard race through a bizarre Minecraft universe. 

You can watch the video for “Jealous (Nothing Special Remix)” below.

More on Eyedress

Eyedress first made a name for himself as a producer, self-releasing music online. The artist released a string of tracks and mixtapes, including the 2014 mixtape Hearing Colors.

Vicuña made his full-length debut in 2015 with Shapeshifter featuring songs such as “Trust The Process.” Featuring rhxanders and Vicuña’s partner Jasmine, who also records as Elvia, the track showcases Eyedress’ early lo-fi hip-hop aesthetic.

The artist shifted directions for a number of his follow-up records, particularly the 2017 album Manila Ice and the 2018 release Sensitive G. These records showcased Vicuña’s savvy as a rock artist, inflecting his sound with a dreamy, retro vibe. They also marked his first collaborations with Lex Records.

Read more: 10 alternative women musicians with unforgettable Grammy’s performances

The “Jealous” remix sees Eyedress return after a productive 2020. Last year, the artist put out his fourth full-length record Let’s Skip To The Wedding through Lex Records. He also released the EP Don’t Dial 911, a collaboration with N8NOFACE put out through Vicuña’s own label/brand Paranoia.

Vicuña has also been involved with a number of other projects. The artist plays in a band called the Simps, releasing an original track “On Fye” in December. He also put out a collab “Cotton Candy Skies” with Elvia earlier this year. The couple also dropped a hazy video featuring the pair and their daughter, adorably clad in a Misfits T-shirt.

Eyedress was featured in Alternative Press’ 2021 issue of 100 Artists You Need To Know. In an exclusive interview with Alternative Press, Vicuña explained why his approach to music is so broad.

Read more: 10 pop-punk bands from Canada who are leaving a mark on the genre

“I’m an all-around artist,” Vicuña notes. “I don’t necessarily make one genre of music, but I guess most of my popular songs are on the indie-rock, post-punk side of things. But I also do SoundCloud rap stuff and produce hip-hop music for my friends. I’m not just a singer-songwriter. Sometimes I know when to step back and just make the music. I’m like a DIY artist. Most of my videos, if I’m not directing, I’m really involved. I also add my two cents into everything, even with merch and clothes I design.”

During the interview, Vicuña also explained the retro sensibilities that shape his visual aesthetic.

“Most of the time my approach is lo-fi, so I have a lot of VHS videos,” Vicuña says. “There’s something about nostalgia that really draws my aesthetic. I’m really into old films even, and I feel like movies directed by Stanley Kubrick would resonate with the kinds of sounds I’m trying to make. Take The Shining, a really beautiful horror film, but it was shot in a really surreal, beautiful hotel up on the mountains. I try to make my music dreamy and surreal.” 

Read more: Jared Leto’s Joker look in ‘Justice League’ has a Harley Quinn easter egg

Vicuña’s collaborator King Krule is also no stranger to animation. Last year, the artist dropped a psychedelic video for his track “Cellular.” He also put out a horror-tinged video for “Comet Face,” showcasing the lo-fi aesthetic that makes him a perfect collaborator for Eyedress. Both tracks are from the 2020 album Man Alive!, available via True Panther Sounds/Matador Records.

What do you think of Eyedress’ “Jealous (Nothing Special Remix)” by King Krule? How does it stack up against the original? Let us know in the comments below.

From their debut with 2017’s “End Of It” to their latest track “Breaking My Bones,” Caleb Hiltunen and Drew Polovick create a dynamic range of sounds fitting of any aesthetic. Though the duo fit under the alternative umbrella, they aren’t ones to constrict themselves to a single genre. Ranging from pop to rock, Friday Pilots Club move between different styles with ease.

Read more: The Bring Me The Horizon and YUNGBLUD collab “Obey” is finally here

“Look Better In Gold” holds a steady groove and slick bass and is centered around the idea that you should be free to be your truest self despite what others might think. Check out the music video and the band’s inspiration for the track below. 

The band’s sound is quite dynamic. One moment you’re ripping with deep basslines. The next, you’ve introduced pop synths and falsettos. How did you develop your sound? With Drew being classically trained, how much influence does that aspect play into how and what you create?

DREW POLOVICK: I have never really thought about the development of our sound as a process. It has always come very naturally to us in the sense that we always just made the music that we wanted to hear and that inspired us. Our songs are supposed to be a reflection of our lives and our stories. Since Caleb and I come from very different backgrounds as people and musicians, there tends to be quite a bit of musical variety and an ever-changing sonic aesthetic. My classical training is really just a tool for guidance and utility rather than a rigid set of rules we have to follow. Being able to understand why certain chords or harmonies work in certain contexts takes a lot of the guesswork out of writing and arranging, which I think allows us to flesh out ideas more fluidly.

Would you say you belong to a specific genre, or do you think genres don’t matter in 2020?

CALEB HILTUNEN: I personally believe genres became obsolete as new genres were reformed by revolutionaries and mergers. Revolutionaries are still present, but it seems that in this period of time, you can find most of them reviving bygone genres/sounds or merging genres—adding elements of hip-hop into country or folk or scrapping any sort of lyrical narratives for a stream of conscious, writing supplied hooks by the level of technology we have access to when it comes to production. We have our feet in “rock,” or I guess just loud music, but we lean into other genres when we start writing lyrical narratives and melodies. 

POLOVICK: Currently I would say we fall under the alt-pop/alt-rock label, but I don’t know if that distinction really matters beyond playlisting or radio in 2020. I think with the accessibility that we’ve been given by the internet and streaming algorithms, we’re consuming music more than we ever have before. We’re having our tastes broadened to all kinds of artists and styles that we would’ve had to look harder for in the pre-streaming era. As a band, we’ve always tried to follow the idea of “a good song is a good song,” and it doesn’t matter what genre it is or how you package it because good music will always resonate with people. That should be our focus rather than if we fit into a certain category or not.

Your latest release “Breaking My Bones” has a serious undertone, with the main focus on maintaining a social media presence. “Look Better In Gold” is more lighthearted sonically but sounds like it continues to focus on how society perceives you. What’s the inspiration behind the track? What do you hope fans take away from it?

POLOVICK: It’s funny… We write a lot of sad and angsty songs, but I think we’re ready to do something a little more uplifting with this upcoming project, and “Look Better In Gold” seemed to be the song to do it with. Lyrically, I think this tune is absolutely a continuation of the topics we talk about in “Breaking My Bones.” That song discusses the trouble with the presentation of self in the internet age, and “Look Better In Gold” talks about being the best version of yourself without having to compare yourself to others. 

As millennials, as young people entering the workforce, as creatives trying to make a name for ourselves, a lot of our daily lives involve how we are perceived as individuals and how we perceive others’ successes in relation to our own, and this song is a rejection of that. It’s big and bombastic, and it’s not the most serious thing in the world. I just hope people have fun with it. From a musical/production standpoint, I was listening to a lot of Public Enemy and Beastie Boys at the time we wrote this. I loved the juxtaposition of all the weird samples they used and how the drums always had this lo-fi gritty thing going on. I wanted to bring that into 2020 and give it what we refer to as “the bigness.”

In the song, Caleb’s voice has an element of grit that is perfectly complemented by the deep bassline and moving drums. What’s your thought process when writing a new song, and is it difficult to find that point where everything fits together?

HILTUNEN: It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but either addiction, routine or some sort of insatiable curiosity pushes us forward into whatever needs to happen next. The only thing harder than writing a song is knowing when it’s done. 

POLOVICK: A lot of the time when we sit down to write, we are asking ourselves two questions: What kind of song do we personally need to write, and what can we do musically that we haven’t done yet? I think [that] helps us keep it genuine, honest and relevant to ourselves as individuals as well as fresh and exciting. It can be either incredibly easy and take less than a couple of hours, or it can be extremely difficult and take weeks/months to crack a song and fit it all together, but “Look Better In Gold” was one of those songs that just poured out of us over the span of a couple of hours. Whenever a song comes that easy to us, we usually take that as a sign like, “OK, we’ve got something special here,” and I think that is absolutely true of this one.

“Look Better In Gold” is your second release of the year, and the band have an EP on the way. Can you give us any details on what you have planned for the rest of the year?

POLOVICK: Global domination. Mosh pits. Minecraft. Maybe a livestream show. Maybe some more music. Lots more content. The landscape of the industry is ever-changing, so we will see what happens, but you will absolutely hear more from us before the end of the year.

You can keep up with updates on Friday Pilots Club through Twitter, Facebook and  Instagram.

Indie rock band Courier Club coordinated the livestream Block by Blockwest and performed a set as well on one of the virtual stages to raise money for the CDC Foundation. The organization aims to provide support and medical supplies to health facilities during the pandemic.

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The stream was originally supposed to take place April 25, but due to high demand, the servers crashed. In less than an hour, the festival raised $5,000. They returned May 16 with the capacity to support heavy traffic.

In the Minecraft world, bands had the chance to put their own characters on the stage as their pre-recorded live sets played. The block concert-goers moshed and danced below the stages during the stream, too.

In fact, during the Knocked Loose performance, the characters crafted a “wall of death.”

You can watch the band’s block-shaped fans go absolutely wild like it’s a real show full of stage diving and opening up the pit at 3:32:42.

Messages of hope arose in many of the live sets including from Fever 333, known for their politically empowering lyrics.

“Look around the crowd, different shades and shapes, different faces and places, but we all come here under our own truth,” said frontman Jason Butler. “Close your hand, make a fist, hold onto your power. That is your power, yours, and yours alone. Do not let them take that from you.”

You can catch their full set at 4:50:00 below.

Against The Current also shared an amazing performance, sharing crowd favorites such as “Voices” and “Gravity.” You can watch their full set below at 4:26:00.

Check out the full festival on stage two and stage three. You can also donate to the CDC Foundation here.

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Check out the livestreams and movies announced and going down this week, and keep checking back as this list will continue to be updated. 

The Maine

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The Maine will also be streaming the live footage from their 2019 8123 Fest of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. Fans can tune into the band’s website May 3 at 6 p.m. PST for live footage and other videos from the day. Chat with the members in the comments and relive the festival from the safety of your own home.

On May 9, the Maine will stream another full concert, this time with their Sao Paulo, Brazil date from their 2012 Pioneer world tour. Fans can head over to YouTube at 2 p.m. PST to watch the live show, chat with the band in the comments and see how they’re holding up at home with additional video footage.

Andy Biersack

On May 3, Andy Biersack will also be hosting The Andy Show alongside Joe Flanders and Patrick Fogarty with special guest Remington Leith of Palaye Royale. All episodes of the show can be streamed from Biersack’s Patreon.

SiriusXM Home DJ Series

SiriusXM’s rock station Octane is letting some of your favorite musicians take over in their free Home Invasion series. Following Five Finger Death Punch, Korn and Halestorm, Motionless In White will kick off week four here May 4 at 7 a.m. ET. It will be reairing May 5 at noon and 7 p.m. EST. Future guests include Shinedown, Papa Roach, Nothing More, Asking Alexandria, I Prevail and more. Listeners can stream live from SiriusXM channel No. 37, the SiriusXM app or this link through May 15.

SiriusXM’s AltNation station will also be giving some of the nation’s biggest musicians the ability to DJ from home. twenty one pilots hosted last week, and Bishop Briggs and the 1975 are all slated to take over the waves in the future. You can see the lineup here and listen to the station here. 

K.Flay

K.Flay will be going live on YouTube for the No Place Like Home streaming series via Noise Pop. The stream serves as a benefit show for independent musicians in the Bay Area. Listeners can tune in here May 5 at 7 p.m. PST to see K.Flay, Finish Ticket and Zelma Stone as they help out some local musicians. 

All Time Low

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All Time Low are hosting a watch party for their 2010 Straight To DVD documentary. Now, they’re heading straight to the web May 6 to watch the film with fans. Viewers can head to their site at 5 p.m. EST to watch. The band encourage fans to have two screens so they can also follow along with the band’s commentary on Twitch. 

Underoath

Every Wednesday throughout the month of May and during the first week of June, Underoath will be listening through their albums together on Twitch. Starting May 6, they will be streaming at 8 p.m. EST with a listen through of their 2018 album, Erase Me. Each week, the band will share commentary on the album, allow time for questions and stay tuned for special guests. A full lineup of dates and albums for each stream is available here.

Periphery

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Periphery guitarist Misha Mansoor will be hosting a walkthrough of the band’s demo of “Satellites” from their Periphery IV: Hail Stan writing session. Join him May 7 on Twitch at 8 p.m. EST to learn some guitar tips and hang out for a Q&A session.

The 1975 tribute show and listening party 

https://twitter.com/Truman_Black/status/1257764646767001600

The 1975 are hosting their own tribute show in partnership with The Face, a magazine that is also sharing podcasts from Matty Healy. The tribute concert will air May 7 at 11 a.m. EST on The Face’s Instagram. Performances include Pale Waves’ Heather Baron-Gracie playing “Sex,” Phoebe Bridgers playing “Girls” and Clairo playing “Robbers.” beabadoobee, Cavetown, Gracie Abrams and Rina Sawayama will also be playing covers of other classic 1975 songs. 

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The 1975 will also be having a listening party for their sophomore album, I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it, May 8 at 2 p.m. EST. Though they haven’t confirmed which platform they will stream on, it’ll likely be on Spotify should they follow what they did with their first listening party for their debut album.

Isolation Pong Championship

Several artists including Bearings, I The Mighty, Trash Boat, Yours Truly, Eat Your Heart Out, Void Of Vision, Stepson, Young Culture, We Were Sharks, Ashland and Boys Of Fall will be participating in the Isolation Pong Championships, an Instagram live beer pong fest. The Faim and Between You And Me will go head to head on Instagram May 8 at 7 p.m. AEST/5 a.m. EST. Catch a full lineup of which bands are battling it out here. 

Riot Fest At Home

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Riot Fest fans will be able to see some of their favorite acts from the safety of their own homes throughout the next month. Following Dan Campbell of the Wonder Years and John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday, the virtual festival continues this week with Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio. Andriano will hit Facebook Live May 7 at 6 p.m. CST for an acoustic set. State Champs will also be streaming “Breakfast With Champs” May 8 at 10 a.m. CST on Instagram Live. Riot Fest will also be recruiting Microwave, Saves The Day, Thrice, Sleep On It and more for streams through the end of the month.

320 Festival

Talinda Bennington, wife of the late Chester Bennington, and Kevin Lyman revealed the previously announced 320 Festival will be going virtual May 8-10. The 320 Festival’s main goal will be to offer hope and healing during this period of self-isolation via mental health education sessions, covering topics such as mindfulness, social media and healing from trauma. Several musicians will also take part in the livestream including Blue October’s Justin Furstenfeld, Sum 41’s Frank Zummo, gnash and Lindsey Stirling. The stream will be available on Facebook, YouTube and the KNEKT.TV Network on Roku and Apple TV.

Fearless Records

Fearless Records will be hosting an interactive livestream event with acoustic performances, exclusive content, signing announcements, Q&A sessions and more. The label will be announcing the lineup on its YouTube channel. Net proceeds from the stream will be donated to Live Nation’s relief fund Crew Nation, and it all goes down May 9 beginning at 3 p.m. EST here.

Recurring livestreams

Stay At Home With YUNGBLUD

YUNGBLUD now has his own web show on YouTube Originals titled “Stay At Home With YUNGBLUD.” Similar to the YUNGBLUD Show, the singer will share music and connect with friends and family from self-isolation in his L.A. residence where he’s currently quarantined with his two bandmates, manager and videographer. You can stream his new weekly show at noon EST every Monday and check out the first and second episode now. The series will spotlight the charity No Kid Hungry and encourage viewers to donate to the organization. 

Metallica

Metallica are hosting a concert series every week called “Metallica Mondays.” Fans can catch a concert from the legendary act every Monday on YouTube or Facebook at 8 p.m. EST. 

Death Cab For Cutie 

Death Cab For Cutie drummer Jason McGerr has been hosting streams titled Refuge In Practice with special guests such as the Head And The Heart’s Tyler Williams and Andrew Marshall, who drums for Billie Eilish. The episodes air Tuesdays at 5 p.m. PST with Death Cab bassist Nick Harmer joining this week. You can tune in here.

Ben Gibbard is taking this time of self-isolation to play songs for his fans on weekly YouTube and Facebook Live sessions called “Ben Gibbard: Live From Home.” Each session starts on Thursdays at 4 p.m. PST. Listeners can Venmo @BenGibbardLiveFromHome to benefit various charities—local, national and international—to aid in the fight against coronavirus. This week, he will be playing a set entirely of Beatles covers. 

Grayscale

https://twitter.com/GrayscalePA/status/1250167646693318657

Grayscale are logging on to Twitch every Friday at 7 p.m. EST to teach fans guitar chords to their songs via “Von Halen’s Shred Shack.” In past streams, guitarist Andrew Kyne has shared how to play “In Violet” and “Forever Yours.” Every Wednesday and Sunday, the band will also stream a game of NHL 20 where they compete as the Philadelphia Shamrocks. You can stream the game at 7 p.m. EST.

The Unlikely Candidates

The Unlikely Candidates will take the Facebook and Instagram stage every Wednesday during this time of self-isolation. Fans can head to their preferred social media site at 3 p.m. CST weekly to see these Fort Worth rockers turn quarantine into a jam session.

ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK have six livestream concerts in store for fans over the next two months. Fans can make their way to YouTube Premieres to watch these live shows May 14, 23 and 31 at 10 a.m. EST. A full concert lineup and URL listing is available on their Twitter.

Upcoming livestreams 

Nick Santino

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2YpWlppRf/

Vocalist Nick Santino, formerly of A Rocket To The Moon and Beach Weather, will be hosting a livestream May 12. Fans can tune in to his Instagram page to hear some of their old favorites from Santino at 7 p.m. EST. You can BYOB (or W) to your couch and listen to some tunes.

Block By Blockwest

It’s certainly no South By Southwest, but indie-rock quartet Courier Club are hosting a Minecraft livestream called Block By Blockwest. They’ll be sharing the screen with bands from across the U.S. Featured artists and gamers include Against The Current, FEVER 333, Citizen, nothing,nowhere., the Wrecks, Pussy Riot, Heart Attack Man and more. The stream was originally supposed to take place April 25, but due to high demand, the servers crashed. In less than an hour, the festival raised $5,000. They will be back May 16 to run the festival in its entirety for a larger number of fans. Viewers can watch at the Block By Blockwest site.

Five4FiveFest

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The virtual Five4FiveFest is coming your way with headliners Don Broco May 15 and Enter Shikari May 16. The stream will feature five bands each day and will benefit the National Health Service. Exclusive merch, prizes, bands and time slots will be announced in the coming weeks. The stream will be broadcasted on Facebook.