The latest genius technology enables streaming services to offer each user curated playlists that are as unique as them. Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ generates a weekly list of artists and tracks that a listener might not find on their own. While a fan could use this playlist to find new tunes, who’s to say an artist can’t use it as a tool for inspiration?
Today marks the official release of pronoun‘s new EP, Use Passport to choose new location, featuring the Funeral Advantage rework of “a million other things.” The four track EP is composed of reworks by different artist presenting their take on pronoun’s previously released EP, There’s no one new around you. But as an artist, how do you decide who is best for the job? The artists chosen for pronoun’s rework EP Funeral Advantage, Future Generations, YEYEY and Charles Fauna were unearthed through her ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist. Never used before, the method is a groundbreaking way to utilize streaming services to create something new.
Below, pronoun discusses the process of her innovative EP:
How did you to pick these artists?
Each of these artists grabbed my attention immediately when it popped up on my Discover Weekly and I wanted to replay each of their tracks over and over. It was shocking to me that some of these songs had under 10K plays when I connected with them so much.
What were your goals when working on this project?
I wanted each artist to re-invent the song as if it was their own. I have never really collaborated with anyone, and I don’t think any artist has collaborated with people in this specific way. I wanted to make the old songs sound fresh again and work with artists I truly love. I wanted the user to hear the song and not think “oh this is a remix” but “oh cool I like the band!” I think each rework sounds like it could be an actual band, not a vocal track over someone else production.
What was your creative process while working with each artist on this EP?
It was super easy going. Once the artist agreed to give it a shot I sent over all of the stems from the track. I let them totally run with it, a couple of notes here and there but nothing major.
How would you recommend other artists take advantage of streaming services during the creative process?
It’s super important as an artist to keep listening to others, whether they are acts you have been a huge fan of for years, or a new unknown artist that a friend sends you/you discover on a service like Spotify or Apple Music organically. When a song hits you, it slaps you across the face, I love trying to dissect why a song does that to me because that’s what I want my music to do. If you hear something you like, reach out and connect with them! Even if it’s just “Hey really dig this.” I reached out to about 60 artists and only like 8 answered. Don’t let it get you down, just engage with the people that are interested.
pronoun is not new to Spotify. With features on popular playlists such as New Music Friday, Viral Hits and New Indie Mix, it is clear these services are not just convenient tools for listeners but for creators, as well.
Use Passport to choose new location is available today through Rhyme & Reason Records / Sleep Well. Download it here or pick-up a physical copy of There’s no one new around you, available March 10th. You can also catch pronoun live at SXSW or in a city near you.
