Beck gets free of his record label contract, and now he’s working harder than ever. Um, sorry Mr. Geffen.
Last month, we wrote about the singer’s new Record Club covers project, which, by the way, just posted track four (“Venus in Furs“) from its Velvet Underground & Nico series. This week, he’s launched Videotheque, a new section on his website dedicated to all things visual. In time, the site promises to post all of Beck’s music videos and many of his TV appearances and other goodies. However, for Videotheque’s debut, the singer plans to remake 2008′s Modern Guilt album acoustically posting a new song each week or so, starting with “Orphans” (up now).
Did you think that was it? Not quite. The new Internet guru also launched the second installment of his Planned Obsolescence series, the 47-minute “Carpathian Teen Dream” mix. In case you missed the first installment, “Autobahn Hologram,” these babies are extended mixes featuring a variety of sounds and artists. “Dream” includes music from M.I.A., Stereolab, Herbie Hancock, Alice Coltrane, Timbaland and Simple Minds.
So here’s the interesting twist. Other music artists are attempting deluxe sites offering lots of new and rare music, but they’re all charging for the content or putting it in special paid VIP areas. Beck, however, is producing all this music, video and other content free for fans to enjoy.
Now you could say, “What do you expect from a guy who sings, “Temperature’s dropping at the rottin’ oasis/stealing kisses from the lepers faces’?” But I say Beck is embracing the Web 2.0 movement and giving to his fans in hopes that he will be rewarded with loyalty and support. Guess what, Mr. Hansen? You’re earning it.
