anotherblock harmonizes nostalgia with innovation, delivering a modern equivalent to cherished musical artifacts. In the rapidly evolving landscape of the music industry, going onchain may provide a solution for empowering artists and fans alike. Mint on https://onchainsummer.xyz/anotherblock
We live in a world where music has become ubiquitous. So what does it mean to truly “own” a song? This was easy to answer in the era of vinyl records and CDs, where fans cherished physical copies of their favorite albums and put them on display in the middle of their living rooms, but in the age of streaming, such clarity no longer exists.
This is something that anotherblock hopes to correct by providing a new level of depth through onchain assets. The platform provides a platform for rightsholders to sell shares of ownership in songs. This means that when you mint some of the songs available, you are eligible to collect money when the song is played on streaming services. Reflecting on the company’s roots, founding team member and Head of Product Oscar Morkeeth points out that being based in Sweden has given them a unique perspective on the rise of Spotify in what he playfully calls their “cold little country.”
“We want to turn music lovers and music fans into music owners,” says Morkeeth, who believes that the advent of onchain technology has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for artists to regain control over their art. Through tokenization and decentralized marketplaces, musicians can ensure their work is not lost in the hands of corporate giants. anotherblock's approach aims to strike a delicate balance between empowering artists and engaging fans in a mutually beneficial relationship. By building something for fans, the team envisions a dynamic ecosystem where artists and their supporters form an unbreakable bond, nurturing a thriving and collaborative community.
Morkeeth articulates, “One of the things we’ve lost when music became digital is the sense of physicality. People want to have that feeling again.” Onchain technology provides the perfect conduit to reintroduce the concept of ownership in the digital age. In today's era of ephemeral digital experiences, many people yearn for something tangible to hold on to, something that carries emotional value.
For Onchain Summer, anotherblock has planned three drops that exemplify their commitment to rekindling the meaning of music ownership. Boys Noize, the renowned DJ and artist from Berlin who has been pushing the boundaries of electronic music for over two decades, is releasing an open edition of the track ICH R U celebration of its 10-year anniversary. Laidback Luke is sharing an unreleased song, Originator, exclusively for the Base community. Kleerup, a Swedish electropop musician, is sharing a never-before-heard demo which serves as a pre-access ticket to buy ownership in the release of his single "PARADISE" this fall, giving his audience a chance to be directly involved in his creative process and become part of the story behind the music.
anotherblock's commitment to exploring ownership is not only about preserving the emotional attachment between fans and artists, but also about protecting artists' creative works as a whole. Morkeeth points out, “Bob Dylan recently sold his whole catalog. Justin Bieber sold his. These cherished songs are getting chewed up by private investors, and there’s no open market even though millions of people love that work. We’re working on changing all that.”
To do so, anotherblock is taking things onchain —but the team also recognizes the importance of accessibility and inclusivity when integrating new digital solutions into the music landscape. Morkeeth emphasizes, “Doing things onchain shouldn’t feel hard. Every new technology start om s off very limited, and it’s time to build culture and bring a new wave of people into this space that we love.“ anotherblock recognizes the importance of enabling fans to become genuine stakeholders in the creative process, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art they support. As Morkeeth envisions, “We want people to not only collect but feel a sense of ownership over what they’re collecting. We want to create a platform for fans to be able to truly own music.”
By letting fans truly own their favorite songs and contribute to an open market for cherished music, anotherblock is pioneering a new wave of cultural transformation. Their vision of a more connected and empowered community of musicians and music lovers may very well be a key part of creating a new and sustainable future for the next generation of artists and their audiences. By embracing onchain technology, anotherblock is paving the way for the democratization of music ownership.