Musicians making documentaries is nothing new. But making a 3D documentary? Now more and more groups are following suit – and Metallica is the next to jump on the bandwagon. Following a collaboration with Lou Reed (Lulu‘s official release date is October 31st), Metallica is now planning a 3D feature film.
Will 3D music documentaries be the next big thing? Who knows – with how fast technology is growing, the music industry has to think fast to keep up. Last week, we discussed a few iPhone apps to help the modern-day musician. So what other ways has the digital world intersected with music? Check out this list of 5 musicians who have used technology to break boundaries and change the way we think about music:
1. Lil Wayne
Technically, Cher was one of the first artists to use auto-tuning to make a hit. However, Lil Wayne has made an entire career of that crazy phase vocoder. Still, and although it’s become a very popular tool, many artists have rejected it, including Jay-Z, whose song “DOA” (Death of Auto-tune), is a direct backlash against the sound. However, Lil Wayne will not cave. He told VIBE magazine auto-tuning “ain’t dead.” If that’s not good enough for you, that’s too ba-a-a-a-a-ad.
2. Duran Duran
I’m not sure if music videos put Duran Duran on the map, or if Duran Duran put music videos on the map. Considering their banned “Girls On Film” video and the fact that they were the first to have their music videos shot on 35mm (rather than videotape), it’s a toss up.
Since the introduction of video to the music world, Duran Duran has been making waves. In 1984, they introduced video technology into their live shows by being one of the first acts to provide video screens above the stage. They have recorded concerts using iMAX and 360 degree panoramic cameras with 10.2 channel audio. They are on MTV’s “100 Greatest Videos Ever Made” list with “Hungry Like The Wolf,” as well as VH1’s “100 Greatest Videos” with “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.” In fact, MTV named “Hungry Like the Wolf” the fifteenth most-played video of all time.
3. Kraftwerk
If you ever wondered what it would be like for robots, both in look and sound, to compose music, check out Kraftwerk.
Kraftwerk, German for “power plant,” is known as a pioneer in the world of electronic music. The signature Kraftwerk sound has repetitive rhythms with catchy melodies, a classical Western style of harmony, and a minimal and strictly electronic instrumentation. The group’s simplified lyrics are at times sung through a vocoder or generated by computer speech software. Their videos are also cutting edge in both art and visuals. Next time you make a song on your computer, be sure to thank those crazy Germans!
4. Phil Spector’s Wall Of Sound
Spector’s signature technique, known as the “Wall of Sound,” was revolutionary. It consisted of a dense, layered, and reverberant sound that reproduced well on AM radio and jukeboxes popular at the time. He accomplished this by having many electric and acoustic guitarists perform the same parts in unison, then added orchestras, and then recorded everything using an echo chamber. The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Queen, and The Ramones all utilized this sound.
5. Les Paul
What did Les Paul do? He made rock n’ roll possible. He pioneered the solid body electric guitar. Les Paul also innovated guitar playing itself with a particular fretting style and guitar licks. He has many songs and singles on the charts, but he’s best known for giving rock stars something to smash on stage – making our music louder and more dangerous.
(See the full list here.)
Artists everywhere are amping up to revolutionize the way we play and listen to music. What do you think will come next? Leave a comment below! Like these posts? Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe.
Suzy S.