SOCIAL SYNERGY - INTO THE SUN

Last night I took part in my first online listening party that was put together by one of my favorite artists (and modern day philosophers) of all time, Bassnectar. He and his team just unleashed his most anticipated music release to date, Into The Sun and gave it a much deserved welcoming party. At a certain time, Bassnectar and his fans across the world all hit play to his newest mixtape. The result; a special listening party that connected a family of Bassheads in simultaneous funky fashion. Bassnectar  was live-tweeting his thoughts about each piece of the mix while fans chimed in and shared in the moment together using #IntoTheSun. Mixtape 13 can be heard on Spotify or SoundCloud, check it out  (like right meow, for real).

Found on livemusicblog.com

Found on bassnectar.net

If you’ve ever been to a Bassnectar show, it's easy to understand the incredible sense of community you feel at them. I've been to three shows and every time I leave feeling uplifted in a totally indescribable way. Lorin Ashton uses his musical platform to spread messages of love (while still causing an infectious urge to dance your brains out). His symphonic creations bring his fandom of Bassheads even closer; united under ideas of beauty, mystery, noise and wonder. Last night he proved that the massive convergence of energy that is felt at his shows can be achieved with a social platform as well.

As someone who has studied social analytics and knows a good campaign when I see one, this one blew my mind on another level. It helps when you’re a mega fan of the music, but to recognize, appreciate and understand how difficult this type of online connection is to achieve gave me butterflies (I know I sound like a mega dork, but that’s why I picked this industry to go into!). Marketers all over the world are drooling with jealousy, but it really goes back to the type of social brand Bassnectar has built for himself. He’s an open artist, he interacts with his fans regularly, he shows his kind-hearted and goofy personality in each purposeful message he sends out. It makes his followers feel as if they’re following a good friend, which is a breath of fresh air against the contrast of most musicians and other verified accounts. He follows his fans back, adds to our discussions, and feeds us with plenty of wonderful tidbits of happiness and inspiration. For a man that is so busy creating music, playing shows, and having a personal life, the fact that he invests so much genuine time in this outlet makes me (and every Bassnectar fan) have an immense level of respect for him.

A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE SUN

I could talk for hours about the success of the #IntoTheSun campaign and how crazy awesome it was not only to follow it from start to finish, but to also be a part of it. 'Campaign' isn't really the most fitting word; to me it takes away the beauty of it all. So, not to throw negative connotation out there, but  it is a social campaign when it comes down to it. And a very special, unique and outrageous campaign at that. Just to get a visual on how mega impactful it was, I’ll let my handy infographic speak for itself. 

Seriously, over 8 million impressions in 24 hours! That’s incredible, and I haven't heard of anything that compares on a social platform in the music industry. There were plenty of other stats out there that were all just as impressive, but these two are the ones I chose to bring out because they show the real impact and human impressions that this campaign caused. Sharing music and new ideas with people and connecting them across the world through one mega portal is one of the greatest and most beautiful things that social media can cause. Thank you, Lorin, for reminding us of that.

LISTENING PARTY RECAP

Like I said, this listening party was an amazing experience. I’m going to recap it the best I can, and give you a timeline of sorts that lays out the dominos leading up to the main event. Hang tight, cause it’s about to get all visual up in here!

THE HYPE:

Lorin had me drawn into his evil genius plan the moment he tweeted a teaser of his new album’s artwork the night before he released five preview tracks. So, the next day he released the full album artwork (which I’m a huge fan of). I preordered the album and started immersing myself in the new music. I had been watching Twitter all summer, seeing his amazing trips to Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, and Electric Forrest. Three big performances that I wish I could have made it to, so getting a taste of some of the new tracks he dropped there was too satisfying and made me feel that seeing him at Camp Bisco in a couple weeks will be worth the wait! 

Take The Ride... pic.twitter.com/lm7IdPRK5r

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) June 15, 2015

#IntoTheSun!!! 16 new tracks + 70min bonus track: Mixtape 13 □ Preorder now & get 5 tracks http://t.co/CMwL72KfNu pic.twitter.com/q8LJmTnd23

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) June 16, 2015

Take The Ride #IntoTheSun - OUT NOW! ⚫☀⚫ http://t.co/CMwL72KfNu pic.twitter.com/dmb7U6wsOd

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) June 30, 2015

Sure enough, the release of the preview tracks was the real catalyst that started getting everyone insanely excited for the full album to drop. It was heightened even further when a week later, Bassnectar announced the listening party that was in the works. He threw one last year for his album Noise vs. Beauty, so it was another tradition many people were looking forward to. And then, on June 30th the full album dropped and, well.. you’ll see what happens next.

THE ENERGY SPREADS:

In true Basshead fashion, many people started reaching out to the twitterverse about the listening parties they were planning on throwing. Bassnectar posted details on his website and got the ball rolling, and the rest was up to the people willing to take action. Events were created, bars were taken over, houses were opened, and locals flocked to one another to come together to bop, dance and celebrate the album release. One party even made a custom bar menu! So clever.

Found on Twitter

To celebrate #IntoTheSun release, we're throwing another globe-rocking online Listening Party http://t.co/7inITY3DNN pic.twitter.com/dpj1id3zqH

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) June 26, 2015

@bassnectar @bass_network Looking for some Seattle #bassheads to dive Into the Sun w/ me tomorrow. #whereUat ?! pic.twitter.com/Yp3L1rfqpN

— Maggadeath (@m_xylos) June 30, 2015

@bassnectar @BASSnetwork @AmorphousMusic lights party in our basement in Denver □ @ScottSchwindt

— Stephanie (@stephd) June 29, 2015

THE PARTY HEARD ROUND THE WORLD:

The listening party itself was executed perfectly. The whole point  was to gather with people you love, and even though I didn't have a huge bumping system to listen to it on, or a crew to meet up with, I cozied up with our headphones and partied silent disco style. And, I had Lorin and the rest of the Bass Network synched up with me. The mixtape is a continuous compilation of every song on the album, plus a few surprises mixed in (I left those out of the list, so you'll just have to go discover them for yourself!). I picked out my favorite tweets that Lorin threw out there while talking about each song. You can listen along either on SoundCloud or Spotify. Ready to relive it with me? Yeah, I thought you were :). 

CHASING HEAVEN

"Chasing Heaven" - i opened night 3 of Red Rocks with this song #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

heads up - I chose to mix this lightly & let each track play out: less layering, more storytelling... more melody, more music :)

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

NO WAY - BASSNECTAR REMIX

I stumbled upon this song while listening to iTunes radio (the @PURITY_RING station) and was like "WHAT IS THAT" TNAF #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

just wanted to honor the original version & make it stupidly heavy & overwhelming :)

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

INTO THE SUN

ok, all in synch...... HEEEERE WEEEE GOOOOOO Into The Sun title track #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

that dripping dropping melody fucking owns me

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

SPEAKERBOX (FEAT. LAFA TAYLOR)

ULTRA SUPER MEGA MASSIVE UPS TO THE ONE @masiaone her tune "Warrior's Tounge" is an anthem - so grateful she let me sample it #SPEAKERBOX

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

Wrote this song with Lafa in his crazy Bus on tha streets of Oakland :) #Speakerbox @lafataylor @masiaone #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

SIDEWAYS (FEAT. ZION I)

This is #Sideways @louisfutonbeats @ZIONI #IntoTheSun DROP!!!!!!

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

ONE OF MY FAVORITE HIP HOP ACTS ALIVE: @ZIONI @zumbi808 #IntoTheSun more Oakland art

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

THE MYSTERY SPOT

SANTA CRUZ BROTHER: The Mystery Spot @gjonesbass #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

that's my voice running through the vocoder, being all affectionate - but it's authentic: I LOVE YOU! Thank you all so much for the support

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

ROSE COLORED BASS - BASSNECTAR REMIX

this next dude is a real deal super soulful artist & musician by the name of @davidheartbreak Rose Colored Bass remix #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

this song was insanely full to begin with and i added double the content, i'm shocked it all works #together @davidheartbreak #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

GENERATE

and now LIVE & DIRECT: Generate @GNARGNARMUSIC #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

THIS ONE MOMENT OF HEAVINESSSSSSSSSS HERE AHHH

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

ONE THING (FEAT. CHRISTINA SOTO) - BASSNECTAR REMIX

original music by @psymbionic & @thesotosinger - i heard the remix by @OfTheTrees and was like "ohhhhh ok... i see you" #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

really love messing with sound like that! Thank you all for the open hearted collaboration @psymbionic @OfTheTrees @thesotosinger

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

SCIENCE FICTION

it seems like everything i'm experiencing in life is happening inside of a dream #Science #Fiction @luzcidmusic #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

this moment right here....my single favorite of the song...just that fucking perfect slithering synth melody, i could listen to that forever

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

BLOW [2015 VERSION]

SOUND CHECK!!!!! @Kyrian Blow [2015 VERSION] #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

mimmicking Kyrian's voice with the bassline and transforming it into the song was ultimate creative adventure

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

SOMERFAGEL - BASSNECTAR REMIX

my friend Calle from Sweden turned me onto @wintergatan and i knew instantly i had to make the Sommarfagel Remix #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

true musicians, true artists, true visionaries with extreme integrity & honor in their craft!!!! @wintergatan #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

DORFEX BOS - BASSNECTAR REMIX [2015 VERSION]

like a neverending carousel Dorfex Bos [2015] @angelotursi #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

more of the softest OOoooohs and AAAhhhhs in the game Dorfex Bos [2015] @angelotursi #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

BREATHING [2015 VERSION]

the breathing was recorded when me & Suga were recording "Skin" of Diverse Systems of Throb

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

i just love downtempo, trip hop, heavy slow mesmerizing music without a genre title :)

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

DUBUASCA [2015 VERSION]

one of the deepest: Dubuasca [2015] Michael Kang #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

AND THESE VOCALS: very special recordings from a live ayahuasca ritual which Kang recorded and brought back: we wrote this in Hawaii

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

ENTER THE CHAMBER [2015 VERSION]

i had no choice but to close the mixtape with this: Enter The Chamber [2015] #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

one of my all time favorite songs off Mesmerizing The Ultra - Enter The Chamber [2015] #IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

BASSHEADS UNITE

While all of the above was going on, you can bet that people all over were chiming in, adding to the discussion, linking up with new friends and sharing all the feels that were a result of this epic listening party. It was an awesome addition to the mix, and these tweets embody the good vibes that were being sent all night.

@bassnectar You always know how to unite us as one & create such a community... So much love □ #Beauty

— Glitter✨Princess♛ (@EllenGlitter) July 1, 2015

I am BEYOND thankful for this music and the community that surrounds it. So many beautiful souls & so many beautiful memories. #IntoTheSun

— Jackson Gibson (@JacksonGib) July 1, 2015

That awesome feeling you get knowing your family is all lost in the same dream even if you're miles apart #IntoTheSun □□

— No Looking Back Now (@FictusEsse) July 1, 2015

Ticket to Bonnaroo- $340 Ticket to Bisco- $185 Gas to Basslights- $300 #IntoTheSun Listening party- priceless

— Groove U (@Groovefaculty) July 1, 2015

I can literally feel everyone coming together right now, this is what bassnectar is all about @bassnectar #IntoTheSun

— Hadley (@jesusj0ints) July 1, 2015

This worldwide listening party is the coolest thing I've been a part of. I can feel the bassheads around the world. #IntoTheSun

— YUNG CHEESEPUFF (@goonytoons) July 1, 2015

A PERSONAL TOUCH:

Lorin stuck a ton of stories and thoughts into this listening party. If you noticed, there were a good number of songs that were marked [2015 Version]. He remastered a handful of older songs for this album, adding an air of nostalgia for him and some OG fans. I remember in 10th grade listening to Blow and Dubuasca before I had any clue about electronic music or Bassnectar. Hearing the new versions is such a cool trip, and who better to explain that than the King of the Sound :).

remaking these old songs from Mesmerizing The Ultra & Diverse Systems of Throb was so much fun - i had been putting it off forever because

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

it's like digging up old forgotten treasure, dusting it off, breathing life back into it, hanging out with it, laughing at its jokes :)

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

all this music was homage to an era, under the full moon, when everything was very different...very special. the roots of what exists now

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

Once the party came to an inevitable end, Lorin left us with a positive message, just as he does at his shows. It was the best way to tie off the night and still leave so much energy lingering in the air. 

i hope u have all enjoyed this experience: synching up to dance or zone out or just feel the music: IT'S VERY SPECIAL FOR ME: i love you!

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

your passion, enthusiasm, participation, interactivity, love, energy, & personality drives me to continue this adventure @IntoTheSun

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

i hope you blast this mixtape many more times in the future, and enjoy these songs, share them with your friends, and i'll see you soon :)

— bassnectar (@bassnectar) July 1, 2015

Man, what a cool experience. I was left feeling totally inspired and energized. I'm beyond eager to get to Camp Bisco, and I'm also just excited in general about the new music I get to enjoy now. Starting with this post, I'm about to share it with anyone and everyone I can. Go find an outlet, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, whatever it is, and fill your ears with the amazing creation that is Into The Sun.

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