posted March 17,1998 (date written unkown)
The Watchmen make history with groundbreaking
internet technology; EMI Music Canada and Digital
Renaissance introduce web interactivity to "Silent
Radar" CD.
Author Unknown
EMI Music Canada's The Watchmen have always
been leaders in using new technology to reach their
many fans. Now, they become pioneers as they are
the first band in history to use a brand new
technology called CD-Active (T.A.G.) on their new
CD, Silent Radar (produced by Adam Kasper -
Soundgarden, REM), scheduled to hit stores on
March 31.
CD-Active was introduced by Digital Renaissance,
a leading provider of technology solutions for
digital
media communications, and has already gained both
accolades and awards. As a unique bonus, Silent
Radar includes a CD-Active capability on the first
single, "Stereo", able to unlock "private" Web pages
on The Watchmen's Web site, through a CD-ROM
drive and the Internet. T.A.G.'s CD-Active
technology revolutionizes the concept of enriching a
CD because the additional information is
ever-changing. The CD-activated Web site has the
ability to provide fans with new content on a regular
basis, unlike "Enhanced" CDs where the content is
stagnant.
"EMI Music Canada has always tried to be at the
forefront of new ideas and technological changes
within the music business," says Rob Brooks, Vice
President of Marketing and Operations at EMI
Music Canada. "When a company like Digital
Renaissance introduces a new concept like
CD-Active, we're thrilled to share in bringing this
innovative technology to the music industry. We
worked closely with them to choose the right band
to debut CD-Active. The Watchmen, who have
continuously led the way and shown commitment to
both their fans and new media, were the natural
choice."
"The T.A.G. series of products is harnessing the
power of non-linear communications to enhance the
ways in which people can interact with the Web,"
says Keith Kocho, president and CEO of Digital
Renaissance, Inc. "CD-Active is another example of
how non-linear interactivity can revolutionize the
way we listen to and interact with music."
CD-Active will allow fans of The Watchmen to
playback the Silent Radar CD from within a Web
browser while synchronizing the song "Stereo" with
other cool things on the Web site, such as behind the
scenes video footage, private photos, song lyrics not
found on the CD, exclusive interviews, and a fan
contribution area. The effect of this synchronization
is similar to VH-1's "Pop-Up Video" series.
The Watchmen's bass player Ken Tizzard
commented on the new technology: "Even though
much of the song `Stereo' is about a fear of
technology, the band has no doubt about embracing
it. We believe in using new technologies to help our
fans get a fuller experience from our new album and
connect with us more easily."