Beats, Dash and a bit of nostalgia made my week

In the past week, I’ve developed a new obsession. I’m actually surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed it. So much so that I’m finding myself wanting to stay in front of my laptop on a nice summer day to do work just so that I can get more of it.

Apple’s Beats 1 and Dash Radios Dash 1 online radio stations have made my week. I was curious about the hype around Apple Music. I have a Macbook, but use an android phone, so I wasn’t interested in the subscription service, but the idea of a live radio station for the internet, done on a scale I don’t believe has been tried before intrigued me.

Growing up in the 90s, I lived in a small town with one radio station. Depending on the weather, I could maybe get a station or two from the city and a bit more variety. But the radio played everywhere. At home, in the car with my parents, in stores downtown. In a small town without a TV station or daily newspapers, the local radio station was the way most people connected to what was happening in the community. It was also where I heard many of the songs that shaped my youth for the first time.

Since then, of course the internet changed everything. I’ve pretty much given up listening to commercial radio, listening to only public radio (CBC) or streaming music services and podcasts. But perhaps that experience with the local radio station in my childhood left a soft spot for the idea of live broadcast radio, despite how archaic it seems in light of all the services and flexibility offered online.

So, this week I opened iTunes for the first time in months (what an awful program), and clicked on Radio. The first few seconds was the DJs talking, followed by a diverse group of songs, most of which I was familiar with, but some new ones as well. Then back to the DJs. I can’t explain it, but it was just so much more enjoyable than a Songza or Spotify playlist. The live’ness’ of it, the tidbits about the music the DJ’s throw in, it makes me feel somehow more connected to the music. Cheesy, I know. But it does feel a little more of a communal experience, knowing that thousands of others are listening to what you are rather than being alone listening to a playlist.

After this discovery, I searched for articles and news stories to see if I was the only one feeling this way. Reviews I found were positive, confirming I wasn’t alone. I also found Dash Radio, and their similar Dash 1 (among dozens of others) station. I liked it. Even more. And there is an Android app, which I’ve been using on the go this week.

These stations have actually proven to be really good guided music discovery services. While I was already listening to Jamie xx, I did hear some new tunes. The new Neon Indian, which I somehow missed, is my current favourite. I’ve actually added about 10 songs to my Rdio playlist because of these two stations. Just when I was getting bored of my music.

So, will my obsession last? We’ll have to see. It also remains to be seen if these services can maintain their momemnum and really take off. But, for now at least, I’m enjoying them, the music, and maybe a bit of a familiar feeling of tuning in to hear what’s on right now.