Entertainment, Lifestyle, Technology, Music VOCAL Entertainment, Lifestyle, Technology, Music VOCAL

Microsoft Lets You Step Inside Muse's New Album

Today the British rock band Muse kicks off the global Simulation Theory album tour in Houston, Texas, giving fans a first look at their much-anticipated partnership with Microsoft. For the holders of “Enhanced Experience” tickets at each tour stop, a VIP pre-party includes a revolutionary approach to audience inclusion that brings fans into the album’s imagined world through interactive virtual reality.

Muse Continues to Push the Boundaries of Fan Experience on Their New Tour, Now with Microsoft VR Technologies to Create a Unique Fan-Artist Connection. 


HOUSTON, TX (February 22, 2019) — Today the British rock band Muse kicks off the global Simulation Theory album tour in Houston, Texas, giving fans a first look at their much-anticipated partnership with Microsoft. For the holders of “Enhanced Experience” tickets at each tour stop, a VIP pre-party includes a revolutionary approach to audience inclusion that brings fans into the album’s imagined world through interactive virtual reality.

As part of their In Culture program that creates visionary initiatives that blur the line between artist and audience, Microsoft has partnered with Muse to develop a totally unique music-video experience through three custom VR games each soundtracked and inspired by a song from the Simulation Theory album. This virtual-reality immersion is initially reserved for dedicated fans purchasing the Enhanced Experience pre-show party package that includes the opportunity to take photos with props and memorabilia from the newest music videos, exclusive album-themed keepsakes, and front-row seats to the show.

The artwork for Muse’s latest studio album is reminiscent of the classic 80’s sci-fi movie Tron, the plot of which loosely aligns with the album title and it’s referenced “simulation hypothesis” that accepts that we’re all actually living within a computer-generated artificial reality. This is also in keeping with the band’s ongoing themes of a futurist technology dominated existence, as well as their visual interpretation that portrays more of a yesteryear’s vision of tomorrow. Complimenting this in contrast, Microsoft has incorporated their technologies to offer an out-of-this-world fan experience for today.

In creating more music videos for Simulation Theory than any previous release, Muse has also created an alternative visual world for the album that establishes a unifying theme for its songs. “The videos are very continuous; that's where the concept can be seen more so than in the music”, informs vocalist/guitarist Matt Bellamy. “So we're going to take that visual world and try to translate it into the live show, with the other performers who will be on stage with us.” The VR games developed with Microsoft take this audience experience far beyond a stunning audio-visual performance, guiding fans deep into the album’s virtual world for a uniquely personal immersion and real connection.

For more information on Muse and their upcoming tour, visit Muse.mu. For information around the Microsoft In Culture program, visit Microsoft.com/InCulture.

For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

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Technology, Creative, Lifestyle VOCAL Technology, Creative, Lifestyle VOCAL

Thank You 2018 #7

We have finally reached the final day of our Top Moments of 2018 countdown - which brings us to Bloom: Open Space. On February 21st at Trafo House in Amsterdam, musician and artist Brian Eno and collaborator Peter Chilvers presented their work Bloom: Open Space, a groundbreaking generative audio-visual installation based upon their highly acclaimed, award winning app, Bloom…

Day 7: Instagram 2018 - That’s A Wrap 🙌

Happy New Year!

We hope you are all recovering gracefully from last night’s festivities and feeling ready to walk into 2019 with your best foot forward.

We have finally reached the final day of our Top Moments of 2018 countdown - which brings us to Bloom: Open Space. On February 21st at Trafo House in Amsterdam, musician and artist Brian Eno and collaborator Peter Chilvers presented their work Bloom: Open Space, a groundbreaking generative audio-visual installation based upon their highly acclaimed, award winning app, Bloom. The mixed reality installation, enabled by Microsoft HoloLens, blurred the lines between the physical and virtual, exploring uncharted territory in the realm of generative art. Guests stepped into a central zone surrounded by screens, where they could physically experience Bloom - tapping the air around them to create elaborate patterns and unique melodies with the simplest gestures.

Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens
 
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Technology, Entertainment VOCAL Technology, Entertainment VOCAL

Thank you 2018 #3

Countdown day 3! Did you get the chance to check out Unmoored in Times Square this summer? On July 11th, Mel Chin’s collaboration with Microsoft went live and featured a riveting depiction of Times Square underwater via Hololens mixed reality technology. This piece was aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of global warming, depicting a world where climate change has gone unchecked. We loved collaborating with Microsoft on this inspiring and stunning project.

Day 3: Instagram 2018 - That’s A Wrap 🙌

Did you get the chance to check out Unmoored in Times Square this summer?

On July 11th, Mel Chin’s collaboration with Microsoft went live and featured a riveting depiction of Times Square underwater via Hololens mixed reality technology.

This piece was aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of global warming, depicting a world where climate change has gone unchecked. We loved collaborating with Microsoft on this inspiring and stunning project.

Conceptual artist and activist Mel Chin collaborated with Microsoft to create a site-specific mixed reality experience in NYC's Times Square. Using HoloLens and a custom mobile phone AR app, Unmoored explores a possible future, where climate change has gone unchecked and Times Square is under 26 feet of water.


Microsoft's Unmoored with Mel Chin, Time's Square NYC
Microsoft's Unmoored with Mel Chin, Time's Square NYC
Microsoft's Unmoored with Mel Chin, Time's Square NYC
Microsoft's Unmoored with Mel Chin, Time's Square NYC
 
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Technology, Fashion, VOCAL VOCAL Technology, Fashion, VOCAL VOCAL

Thank You 2018 #2

Day two of our 7 top memories of 2018 countdown and we’re throwing it back to the QuadPay Media Lunch just last month in Manhattan. We gathered a few great friends to have a bite and talk about QuadPay - the new fintech company that lets you make your fashion retail purchases in four equal payments rather than one.

Day 2: Instagram 2018 - That’s A Wrap 🙌

Day two of our seven top memories of 2018 countdown and we’re throwing it back to the QuadPay Media Lunch just last month in Manhattan. We gathered a few great friends to have a bite and talk about QuadPay, the new fintech company that lets you make your fashion retail purchases in four equal payments rather than one. 👏

By the way, check out that view from Manhatta restaurant! What are your favourite views in the city?

quad pay
quadpay
quadpay
 
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Technology, Creative, Fashion VOCAL Technology, Creative, Fashion VOCAL

Thank You 2018 #1

Check out these snaps from the London College of Fashion’s Future of Fashion Incubator Showcase in partnership with Microsoft. The showcase took place on June 5, 2017 and culminated an intensive, short-term program in which top LCF students explored cutting-edge Microsoft technology and its potential in the future of fashion. 

Day 1: Instagram 2018 - That’s A Wrap 🙌

We’re counting down the last days of the year with seven of our favourite moments from 2018.

Check out these snaps from the London College of Fashion’s Future of Fashion Incubator Showcase in partnership with Microsoft. The showcase took place on June 5, 2017 and culminated an intensive, short-term program in which top LCF students explored cutting-edge Microsoft technology and its potential in the future of fashion. Read more on Forbes.com.

It’s projects like this that make us love what we do! 

Microsoft: Fashion x Technology
Microsoft: Fashion x Technology
Microsoft: Fashion x Technology
Microsoft: Fashion x Technology
Microsoft: Fashion x Technology
 
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Creative, Technology VOCAL Creative, Technology VOCAL

SeeMe Launches New E-Commerce Platform During Art Basel

SeeMe expands its support for emerging artists with the launch of its e-commerce platform where renowned artists such as Bogdan Luca, Jess Bush and Olga Ush make their prints available for purchase.

This year’s event program from the global art-curation platform SeeMe was ground-breaking and dynamic – featuring three art submission competitions of thousands of entrants from around the world. From each competition, a Grand Prize winner was selected to win $5000 cash and a special video feature on the SeeMe platform. SeeMe also held an abundance of private events including solo and group exhibitions which took place across the landscape of the United States. Now, SeeMe expands its support for emerging artists with the launch of its e-commerce platform where renowned artists such as Bogdan Luca, Jess Bush and Olga Ush make their prints available for purchase.

This year’s events began on March 9, as the growing SeeMe artist community kicked-of Armory Art Week with a group exhibition in partnership with Public Arts. The exhibition featured talented artists Bita Cuartas, Nima Chiachi, Gabrial Guerra Bianchini, Jennifer Orhelys, Jean Toir, and Cristoal Marambio who were selected from thousands of applicants by a panel of recognized creative professionals.

On June 7, SeeMe continued the exhibition series, this time collaborating with ChaShaMa on a gala and party that marked the end of the Art Takes Times Square competition. From the thousands of competition entrants, select SeeMe artists were chosen to contribute to ChaShaMa’s labyrinth of over 150 immersive art experiences. Darrin Hartman was announced the Grand Prize winner and later featured his work at the Aspen Food & Wine VIP Reception at the Limelight Hotel - joined by renowned artists Alex Nero and Olivia Daane. All three artists’ works were sold on a limited-edition print run.

SeeMe’s Art Takes SoHo event in partnership with Tribeca Art Night took place September 26 at The Untitled Space and showcased the works of over 100 SeeMe artists including finalists from the second competition - Art Takes SoHo. Artist Kaya Deckelbaum was selected and announced as winner, collecting the impressive Grand Prize Package and a solo exhibition opportunity.

Just this month, December 6-9, SeeMe wrapped up the year’s events with a special finale exhibition at Art Basel Miami 2018, culminating competition three: Art Takes Miami. This exhibition featured the works of over 200 renowned SeeMe artists from which Bogdan Luca was selected to receive the Grand Prize. Supporting the featured installation at Scope was a visual takeover of the Visual Artist Summit at Miami Dome on December 6, a venue famed for its wrap-around imaging shows filling the entire spherical ceiling, with the overhead show fueled by SeeMe’s selection of artists. Alongside the digital canvas of artworks presented by Blackdove and Miami Dome, all top-twelve selected artists’ prints were made available for purchase on SeeMe’s e-commerce platform, newly launched this month. This platform is an exceptional resource to SeeMe’s artists, allowing them to easily sell and ship their work to buyers around-the-world, thereby expanding their reach and influence.

Stay tuned for SeeMe’s 2019 event schedule, which is sure to break further boundaries of the art world and continue to support emerging artists in redefining the landscape of the fine art market. Now gaining further momentum from SeeMe’s burgeoning ecommerce platform, SeeMe artists have the power to change the creative market as we know it.

For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

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Introducing: QuadPay

As one of the fastest-growing fintech retail payment innovators in the US, QuadPay is forging the future of purchase payment for the 80+ million millennials that currently account for almost 30% of all daily per-person consumer spending, projected to reach $1.4 trillion of collective spending power by 2020.

BUY NOW. PAY LATER.

The Payment Solution for Tomorrow’s Largest Spending Segment.

As one of the fastest-growing fintech retail payment innovators in the US, QuadPay is forging the future of purchase payment for the 80+ million millennials that currently account for almost 30% of all daily per-person consumer spending, projected to reach $1.4 trillion of collective spending power by 2020.

QuadPay empowers consumers with the option to pay for their purchases in four equal and interest-free installments over six weeks; the customer gets the product upfront while QuadPay’s brand partners are paid immediately.  As the millennial population enters their prime spending years with less than 50% having access to credit, QuadPay is disrupting the field of payment solutions as the most innovative provider of affordable purchase in North America — buy now, pay later.

Adam Ezra, Co-Founder of QuadPay, said the key to QuadPay’s rapid success has been focusing on building the most consumer-centric payment option in market. “Traditionally, companies offering installment payments have focused on making money from the consumer, either by charging APR or claiming to be interest free while charging punitive late fees. When we set up QuadPay, we had one ambition: to always put the customer first.”

This prioritization of transparency and consumer benefit has been a major contributor to QuadPay’s rapid growth since their US launch in February.  The first three days of October saw the processing of more transactions through their platform than in the first three months of operation, clearly demonstrating the previously unmet demand for a fair and affordable payment solution.  Looking ahead, QuadPay is forecasting that it will facilitate more than $20m in sales over the coming Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping period.

For Johannes Quodt — co-founder of the fast growing, millennial-focused brand Koio — unlocking new customers is critical in the highly competitive ecommerce industry. “There’s no question that for a large number of our customers, using QuadPay is the difference between making or delaying a purchase. Since offering QuadPay as a payment solution we’ve seen AOV and conversion both increase noticeably, all with zero risk to us.”  

Similarly, Katie Grose, Head of eCommerce at leading fashion brand For Love & Lemons, was surprised by the level of latent demand there was for QuadPay. “"When our customers realize there are no strings attached and it’s completely free to use the platform, the uptake was dramatic. It’s not uncommon for QuadPay to be processing 15% of all of our payments - which is close to the same percentage as PayPal.”

QuadPay will launch with a selection of new enterprise clients in Q4 of 2018, including one of the largest shoes brand in the US and eBags.com, part of The Samsonite Group and the largest online retailers of bags in the US, with brands including Patagonia, Under Armour, Nike and The North Face.

For more information on QuadPay’s payment innovations, visit www.QuadPay.com. For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

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#SelfCare now for all operating systems, including your own.

Just six weeks after its immensely successful launch for iPhone that placed it in the Top 50 free games in the App Store, today #SelfCare hits the Google Play store for Android devices. Developed by the team at TRU LUV, #SelfCare’s playful innovations to digitally engage and personally disconnect are changing the game of mindfulness.

The app to harmonize your hectic lifestyle is now available on Google Play.

 

Just six weeks after its immensely successful launch for iPhone that placed it in the Top 50 free games in the App Store, today #SelfCare hits the Google Play store for Android devices. Developed by the team at TRU LUV, #SelfCare’s playful innovations to digitally engage and personally disconnect are changing the game of mindfulness.

With our lifestyle technologies overwhelming our reality, more of us are choosing to find a rare moment to shut off with a yoga or meditation class. #SelfCare flips the script, empowering your phone to become your tool and guide to finding quick calm any time. As you stay in your virtual bed all day surrounded by your favorite gentle things, you select calming tasks that generate simple satisfaction and uncomplicated harmony. Unlike traditional games that get increasingly more stressful as you progress, the #SelfCare interactions begin disorderly and awkward and become more orderly and satisfying with the simple goal of feeling better.

“We have a love-hate relationship with our phones, and often feel stressed and manipulated by them,” inform #SelfCare co-creators Eve Thomas and Brie Code. “We want to create experiences that doesn’t waste our time and that truly leave us feeling relaxed and invigorated and more ready for life.” 

Further enhancing your #SelfCare experience is the ability personalize your virtual sanctuary with unique additions contributed by guest artists working in themes of self-care, updating your space to reflect the evolution of your goals and outlook. The more time you spend on yourself, the more self-care techniques are unlocked for a deeper and more impactful practice. This Android release of #SelfCAre coincides with the introduction of a new in-app minigame in which you tend to your bedside plant and heal the discolored spots on its leaves.

To develop #SelfCare upon an evidence-based foundation, the team collaborated with research advisor Dr. Isabela Granic — creator of the renowned anxiety-reducing children’s game MindLight, Professor and Chair of Developmental Psychopathology at Radboud University in the Netherlands, and Director at Games for Emotional and Mental Health Lab.

Download #SelfCare on Google Play or the App Store.

For more information visit TRULUV.ai. 

For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

 

 

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NAO Takes Fans Into “Orbit” With Interactive Music Video Powered By Microsoft AI

Microsoft has announced another partnership through their ongoing In Culture program that supports today’s most innovative creatives, this time with English singer-songwriter and rising star NAO. Together they are producing a never-before-seen interactive and personal music video to support the “Orbit” track on her new album Saturn released late in 2018.