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Making Hit Music into a Science
Is there a science to making a hit song? A company called Platinum Blue Music Intelligence is being used by some record labels to help determine whether a song will become a hit or not. Some swear by its accuracy but others wonder if it reduces a complex art to a simple formula. Joining us is Mike McCready, the company's CEO, and Jack Perricone, the chair of the songwriting department at the Berklee College of Music. Also: The Gotan Project is an international crew of DJs whose music blends tango and electronica. Their latest album, "Lunatico," is named after tango hero Carlos Gardel's champion racehorse.
How to Predict a Hit Song
A computer program called Platinum Blue has been developed that its makers claim can dramatically increase an artists' odds of scoring a hit. CEO Mike McCready, and professional songwriter Jack Perricone look at the science and artistry of songwriting.
Platinum Blue's Web site
"Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs" by Jack Perricone, available for purchase at Amazon.com
The Gotan Project
Tango meets chill-out electronica in the music of The Gotan Project. They join us to share their latest album, "Lunatico."
The Gotan Project's Web site
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
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John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
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The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
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Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
- Comments [1]
In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
- Comments [3]
In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
