There is quite a bit more in the original interview from 1999, in terms of both depth and width. Here's a timestamped link to where the subject comes up in the BBC Newsnight programme. Bowie...
There is quite a bit more in the original interview from 1999, in terms of both depth and width. Here's a timestamped link to where the subject comes up in the BBC Newsnight programme. Bowie starts by talking about the historical role of rock music and how the Internet is taking its place as an agent of change, subversion and rebellion.
For context, Bowie was one of the first major musicians to embrace the possibilities of the internet. He launched his own ISP BowieNet in 1998 and his 1999 album hours... was released digitally before its physical release.
It was an exciting time. hours... was actually the first Bowie album that I got (I was a bit late to the party, I know), and I was intrigued by his internet presence. My other big favourite, Prince, had also been building an internet community and distributing music online through the late 90s, later opening his somewhat BowieNet-like subscription website and distribution channel NPG Music Club. Both artists had also appeared in video games: Bowie in Quantic Dream's first game The Nomad Soul (1999), while Prince released his very own Myst-like game Prince Interactive in 1994.
Interestingly, both BowieNet and NPG Music Club closed in 2006. The same year Spotify was founded and Facebook became available to everyone. Both men seemed to know that things were changing. Again. In hindsight, you could perhaps argue that the internet's rebellious, inventive and subversive era was coming to an end, as monolithic corporations and platforms were increasingly starting to take over.
There is quite a bit more in the original interview from 1999, in terms of both depth and width. Here's a timestamped link to where the subject comes up in the BBC Newsnight programme. Bowie starts by talking about the historical role of rock music and how the Internet is taking its place as an agent of change, subversion and rebellion.
For context, Bowie was one of the first major musicians to embrace the possibilities of the internet. He launched his own ISP BowieNet in 1998 and his 1999 album hours... was released digitally before its physical release.
It was an exciting time. hours... was actually the first Bowie album that I got (I was a bit late to the party, I know), and I was intrigued by his internet presence. My other big favourite, Prince, had also been building an internet community and distributing music online through the late 90s, later opening his somewhat BowieNet-like subscription website and distribution channel NPG Music Club. Both artists had also appeared in video games: Bowie in Quantic Dream's first game The Nomad Soul (1999), while Prince released his very own Myst-like game Prince Interactive in 1994.
Interestingly, both BowieNet and NPG Music Club closed in 2006. The same year Spotify was founded and Facebook became available to everyone. Both men seemed to know that things were changing. Again. In hindsight, you could perhaps argue that the internet's rebellious, inventive and subversive era was coming to an end, as monolithic corporations and platforms were increasingly starting to take over.