Introducing the Daisy and The Dark Red Planet album app!...
The app is designed to showcase a new and innovative commercial music format... first there was vinyl, followed by the cassette and CDs, and then MP3 downloads; now we have the 'album app'. the album app includes all the music from the Daisy and The Dark Red Planet EP, and incorporates album art, songwriter and producer credits, song lyrics and a host of other interactive features. This Red Planet app is also the very first of its kind to include an innovative and creative user interface that allows you the listener to get inside the music and manipulate what you hear. The app is designed to give the listener a more immersive user experience, and to encourage people to participate actively with the music. The album app is an important development for the commercial music industry; it allows artists to connect on a heightened level with their fans and showcases 'concept albums' and creative artistic visions. This short user guide describes the key features of the Red Planet app and some of the finer details that may not be obvious on first use.
Home Screen
The Home Screen and home menu allows you to select different features of the app. To select a particular feature, just drag the menu item to the centre of the screen. This launches a short animation and takes you the selected app page.
Music Album
The music album gives access to the four tracks of the Red Planet EP; Red Planet, Circus, Waltzing and Ghost. Any song can be selected, which automatically launches the associated song player user interface (which are each described individually below). On the Music Album page it is also possible to enter the iTunes App Store for the Red Planet album, so iTunes users can purchase and download songs into their personal music library if they chose. There is also a 'back' button to allow you to return to the main home page and explore other app features while the music continues to play.
Music Player
When an interactive music player is launched, a number of standard features are activated. The user can play or pause the audio, skip forwards to the next track, fast scrub through the track (by holding the forward button) and return to the start of the track by pressing the back button. There is also a reset button positioned in the bottom left corner, which always returns the playback and mix setup to that of the main radio mix of the song. Additionally there is a close button allowing the user to return back to the music album menu. While in the song player interface, you can also swipe left and right to access additional features. Scrolling to the left accesses the song lyrics and a detailed and personal story of the song and its origin. Scrolling to the right from the main interface opens up a number of music 'faders', which each adjust the volume of a separate instrument in the song. So it is possible to turn the drums down or off, in case you maybe want to play along, or you can solo the guitar or piano line, in case you want to learn to play the song for yourself!
Interactive Music Interfaces
Red Planet:
The Red Planet user interface is a circular design that allows a listener to manoeuvre and mix between different versions of the title track. The main radio mix of Red Planet is heard when the mix control is positioned in the centre of the Red Planet interface. When the user moves the interactive mix controller, the song takes on a new musical structure. Different locations on the interface engage alternative versions of the song including acoustic, EDM (electronic dance music), dub and choral interpretations. Tapping the mix controller switches the vocals on and off, so it is easy to listen to an instrumental version of the track and sing along if you wish!
Circus:
The Circus user interface is a matrix of 25 different mixes, which can be easily engaged by tapping or dragging around the matrix interface. Initially the mix control is positioned in the centre, which is the position for he main radio mix of the track. Each corner of the matrix represents an alternative mix of Circus, including acoustic, EDM remixes. Each matrix cell plays a subtly different mix, and when a new mix is selected, a unique cross fade algorithm smoothly transitions the music from one mix to another. The circus interface also has a unique 'variplay' feature which is activated by any of the four buttons beneath the main matrix. When variplay is active, a quadrant of the matrix is highlighted, and an intelligent algorithm automatically selects new mixes at various points in the song, ensuring that a unique experience is heard on each listen. There are four variplay modes, each presenting a different quadrant of the matrix. Variplay can be cancelled by pressing the current active variplay button.
Waltzing:
The Waltzing interface includes individual buttons that allow separate instruments to be switched on and off. The interface defaults to just the buttons on the middle column being active, this represents the main radio mix of the song. The left hand column is an EDM remix of Waltzing, whereas the right hand column is an orchestral rendition. You, the listener, are free to make your own mixes by selecting components from all three versions.
Ghost:
Ghost use a triangular cross fade mixer which incorporates three versions of the song. The top point of the triangle is the main radio mix of the song, whereas the bottom corners engage acoustic and EDM versions of the song. Again you the listener can choose to move the mix control to any corner or a position that blends between two or all three versions. As with the Red Planet interface, tapping the mix control toggles the vocals on and off.
Band Section
The band section of the app (accessed from the main home screen) allows you to read the full artist biography of Daisy and The Dark, as well as scroll through a number of artist images. Additionally you can read the performer and production credits for the EP, which details everyone who was involved in writing, performing and producing the songs, as well as those involved in photography and app development too.
Gallery
The Gallery section contains a number of images from the album artwork, as well as photography from some of Daisy and The Dark's recent live performances.
Extras
The extras section links to a number of rich media and social network features. Go watch the Red Planet music video, or answer a short research questionnaire to unlock an exclusive and previously unreleased live video. Join Daisy and The Dark on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or visit the official website and sign up to the Daisy an The Dark newsletter.
‘With the app we wanted to create an experience where the digital listener feels like they have a visual and physical relationship with music again.’
Please note: this app is designed to function correctly with iOS 8.3. Since it was submitted for sale, Apple have introduced the new iOS 8.4, which may cause some features to not be supported on some devices. A full update for iOS 8.4 had been submitted to Apple and will be available in the App store as soon as possible.
*** Compatibility Notes ***
- iOS 8.4 update coming very soon... (awaiting Apple validation)
- This app is optimised for iOS 8.3 and therefore some features may not operate as expected on iOS 8.4
- This app is quite large (790 MB) we therefore recommend a fast wi-fi connection for installation
- The Lite Version 'Red Planet LE' (119 MB) is available for iPhone 4 users and those with insufficient data space
APP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The use of this App is at your own risk. The App is provided on an 'as is' basis. To the maximum extent permitted by law: (a) Daisy and The Dark disclaim all liability whatsoever, whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise in relation to the app; and (b) all implied warranties, terms and conditions relating to the App (whether implied by statue, common law or otherwise), including (without limitation) any warranty, term or condition as to accuracy, completeness, satisfactory quality, performance, fitness for purpose or any special purpose, availability, non infringement, information accuracy, interoperability, quiet enjoyment and title are, as between future and you, hereby excluded. In particular, but without prejudice to the foregoing, we accept no responsibility for any technical failure of the internet and/or the App; or any damage or injury to users or their equipment as a result of or relating to their use of the App. Your statutory rights are not affected.
APP PRIVACY POLICY
We take your privacy very seriously. Personal information will only be used in accordance with the terms of our privacy policy below. By using the App you acknowledge and agree that you have read and accept these Terms. This policy covers the processing of personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998 and related laws, we have a legal duty to protect the personal information we collect from you.
Statistics: The App uses Flurry Analytics to gather basic statistics from those who use the App. This gathers information such as the country from which your internet connection originates and the duration of each App session. All data is anonymised; we use this information to make sure that the App works correctly, to understand usage and to monitor the performance of the App. We may share aggregate, non-personally identifiable information, such as demographics and app usage statistics, with other organisations.
For all queries, please contact: info@daisyandthedark.com