This week’s workshop was did formally run, but I spent the allocated time talking to my group and investigating my designated areas for PB4- triple j, triple j unearthed and Instagram.
It was intriguing to look into how Instagram is used by artists. I discovered that in terms of classifying its use, Instagram is more of a fan communication and fan gaining tool. For example, earlier this year I was able to communicate with Andy Bull, a NSW singer/songwriter who I think is the absolute bees knees, by simply tagging him in a photo and asking him a question (view photo and comment here). And recently, I was lucky enough to meet him at his concert and discovered that he remembered my question and Instagram post and suggested that we should ‘keep in touch’. Instagram allowed me to talk with one of my favourite musicians and formulate a different relationship between fan/artist- a two way communication pathway, rather than the usual one way fangirling.
After writing down my findings on Instagram, also making notes on areas for further research, I decided to look into the development of Triple J as a station and music institution over the past couple of decades, as I believed it would help me identify the pros, cons and best uses with a little more ease (elements of the final write up). I came across a growing trend; that Triple J were becoming more of a mainstream station, who’s playlist was bias and repetitive. Whilst there were some positive comments regarding the promotion of artists and bands, I came across some other almost negative issues. I read an article that exposed the fact that ‘Is This How You Feel?’ by NSW band The Preatures, was nearly culled from being played on the station due to it being ‘too poppy’ for the station.
My research and note taking inspired me to look for some information related to ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ by Gotye and its radio play/how it was discovered as I feel it may also lead to the identification of more pros and cons of the station, and the use of radio as a creative technology.
My findings have really motivated me and inspired me to not only start formulating the finished paragraph for the blog, but for further research that may be completed for the project as well as out of my own personal interest in the station.
Now that it is stuck in my head, I shall now leave you with one of the greatest, most brain invading songs of all time- Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ (feat. Kimbra)
