Swiss singer/songwriter Bastian Baker today announced the release of a world premiere: a mobile application that allows him to share his full universe with his fans. A collaboration with EPFL start-up Coteries, a music mobile development and social media company, the app provides a new interactive way for musicians to engage with fans and generate revenue.
The result of a close collaboration between Bastian Baker and EPFL-based start-up Coteries, and supported by music distributors (Phonag Records, Belleville Music, Universal Music Switzerland) interested in the development of new services, this application provides a new way for musicians to engage with fans while generating revenues, which have been in decline due to the rise of free music services.
However, last year represented the first year since 1999 in which the music industry has experienced an increase in global sales, as digital sales and other new sources of revenues have grown significantly enough to offset the continuing decline in CD sales. Smartphones represent a new and revolutionary opportunity for the distribution of music. Mobile applications, in contrast to other available channels, have the potential to offer an interactive and new experience to fans.
“We are just at the beginning of a revolution in the music industry, enabled by smartphones: mobile applications can simply replace CDs and let fans discover the full universe of the artist,” says Sébastien Flury, co-founder and CEO of Coteries. “The experiment is being closely watched in the music business, where apps are widely seen as the next distribution system. Artists are just starting to think about the mobile app as a music distribution system. But Bastian Baker shows the way.”
Baker’s app follows a unique approach in the booming field of music and community-based services as it allows anyone to become part of the musician’s world. Indeed, fans can listen to his music directly within the app, while reading the lyrics at the same time. The app provides unique access not only to titles available on other platforms, but also to more recent work, various live performances and exclusives that can be found only in the app. In addition, the app enables fans to purchase concert tickets and learn about gigs.
The app works like a social network. Instead of depending on other networks, which can, at any given time, change the rules of the game, the app becomes the basic media for Baker to communicate with his fans. The ownership of the community provides him with a better knowledge of his fans, allowing a more personalised interaction.
Baker, who wants his fans to be part of his daily life, will also use the app to post exclusive content on a regular basis, including pictures, videos and thoughts. A few songs and some content are available for free, but for an annual fee of CHF 8, premium content can be unlocked and fans will be able to enjoy Baker’s entire universe.
Product video: http://youtu.be/yEcgus1HILY
About Coteries
Coteries Sàrl, a mobile development and social media company for music, based on the EPFL campus, was founded in December 2012 by an experienced team. Coteries’ mission is to provide musicians with innovative tools for a closer, unique and more authentic fans-to-artist relationship. For more information, visit or follow @coteri_es
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