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The Streets Take Over The Internet
'Computers and Blues’ will be the fifth and final album from The Streets (dry your eyes mates, we'll get through this together), and if you’ve been following Mike Skinner’s journey over the past ten years, you’ll expect that he’s not ready to put The Streets name to bed without pushing things forward one last time.
In October 2010, Mike launched his new website (link) which has seen more activity than the Sky Sports complaint hotline. Between regular podcasts, even more regular videos (some of which were informed, or even inspired by his fans on Twitter), and random bits of insight from Skinner himself, the blog has allowed Mike to do what he does best – quite literally anything he wants, as long as it’s really bloody interesting.
But does it stop there? OF COURSE NOT.
In the coming weeks leading up to the release of 'Computers and Blues' on the 7th of February, Mike Skinner and The Streets have so many things to keep you busy. Let's discuss them now, shall we?
Mike Scanner: All you need is a tin of soup
The Streets have launched the Mike Scanner. It’s a free iPhone app and a treasure hunt rolled into one. Mike will be giving fans an altogether new way to engage with the fruits of his labour, and this time all you need to do is find a tin of soup.
Aside from the usual app features (you can stream music and get news and tour dates information straight to your phone), you can participate in the missions set by the man himself to get exclusive content – the first being a mixtape ‘Cyberspace and Reds’ featuring Kano, Wiley, Wretch 32, Jammer, Fummin and more.
Just get the app (free on iTunes: link) and scan the barcodes (the first pair is on the website for ‘Cyberspace’ and a tin of tomato soup by a well known soup operation for ‘Reds’).
Then be sure to check back periodically, as the beautiful and interesting people at The Streets HQ will be delivering more hunts in the coming weeks and months.
Interactive Film: Choose your own Computers and Blues
given the nigh-on ubiquity of The Streets’ video output, a film for ‘Computers and Blues’ was hardly going to be standard fare.
Mike Skinner and The Streets have instead assembled a ‘guide’ to the album. Kind of like those ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books. But on film. Accompanied by an astounding soundtrack.
The entire thing will premieres via The Beats Youtube Channel (link), just enough time to get you all hot and bothered in anticipation of the album's release six days later:
Guardian Online Takeover
And finally, on the 7th of February as ‘Computers and Blues’ is making its way onto – and then immediately flying off of – shelves across the country, Mike Skinner will be taking residence at the Guardian to take over their online music section. And as I'm sure both you and I can agree, this can only result in bountiful quantities of amazing.
Without giving too much away, be prepared for a very unique insight into Mike Skinner’s enviable world.
Listen to 'Computers and Blues'
'Computers and Blues' will be streaming on HypeMachine (link) and Spotify. Keep your eyes peeled on both services for more information.