Yes, I know its too late for April Fools, didnt have this ready in time 😉

I think I might have mentioned the “Spotify Stem Player” more than once here and there, but I am having renewed thoughts on how close this is, or isnt, to becoming reality. So another little airing is due.

Either way, Ive made a pretty picture, so hope you enjoy it ! and if you happen to know anybody from Spotify HQ that could make this mock up “front end” a reality, do fill them in.

I`ve mentioned here how I see the old and rare multitracks thing possibly working out, and this I reckon could be “Part Deux” as I haven`t really covered which direction I see the new charty pop stuff going.. you know, the tunes we are supposed to be “too old to like” but do. Songs the kids reaaally like ..that sort of thing. No disrepect meant here either. Quite the opposite, as its “the kids” who are going to push for this more than the oldies.. you`ll see.

Take the Dua Lipa crowd. I can honestly say from recent experience that a fair few Dua Lipa fans are heavy into their stems in a big way.. kinda like the Britney crowd way back when.. I`m hoping a fan set like Dua`s (first name terms now boys) will hasten things a bit due to their “keen-ness” and very much being “stem aware“. I wonder how it would go? “erm, Dua my dear, there`s like millions of us want your stems.. can we have them please”? haha . A few of us oldies tryna hassle a one hit 80`s wonder for the odd multitrack probably would have no comparison to the army of Dua Lipa fans knocking on her doors and the labels, if they decided to make themselves heard.. wonder if theyd be so kind ?

I digress..

There is a downside to all this digital stems players and downloadable standalones/apps ect.. (apart from the usual) .. However you think it through, however possible I think this is or not, it once again presents possibilities of big changes in the way we consume music. Its change, which people generally dont like. Its hassle. And all the other negative stuff. But, saying that, you`d hope the opportunities this kind of thing presents for advancement of the industry (and the long term adoption of the new technologies involved to do it) generally would outweigh the bothersomeness of it all in the long run. So lets hope someone gets their act together. Quickly.

Im using Spotify as an example here, but this could be any app/player type of thing that probably already exists, an all-round great way for labels in general to get into the stem space.. You know, nothing wrong with setting something up to try it out uh? Being real, this may need some serious setting up, but, imo an absolute winner in the long run I would say, never mind who will get the kudos for doing it first too..

Is the technology there to do this? I would have thought so.. not quite checked, but going to assume the bandwidth is do-able.. 50/50 on the syncing up and general lag thing. I do sense problems with that. Otherwise it means downloading files, and thats a whole nother area of grief we can leave well alone for now.

As for time frame? anyone`s guess. Playing it safe here, and calling it (again) “before the end of the decade”.

We. Will. See.

I mean, I`ve made the best picture I can, (in Paint, no less) so you can see how I want it all to work.. All that is needed now is for some kind soul to wire it all up on the internet and make it work.

Wires. Remember those? ha