Events like NAMM are a showcase of the consistently stunning results when innovation meets technology. This is the event where all the crazy new products cooking up in the proverbial lab are revealed to the world. New guitar learning applications where in-app purchases will see songs directly emailed into the fibres of your hand. Guitars that tune, play and even trash themselves. We’re honoured to be rubbing shoulders with some truly amazing companies, both new and established. For your ogling pleasure we’ve decided to compile a roundup of some of our favourite products on show this year.

1. Martin Guitars

SS-Omvine-1   /   D-222 100th Anniversary   /   D-28 John Lennon 75th Anniversary

Martin Guitars is a company which has been around for a very long while indeed. Their ‘dreadnought’ style of acoustic guitars pretty much changed the trajectory of how guitars were to look forever after, becoming the most imitated body size in the world. To celebrate an entire century since the original guitar was produced, Martin are using the NAMM show to introduce the D-222, a limited edition revisit of their classic design, SS-Omvine 2016, D-28 John Lennon 75th Anniversary Edition and few others.

2. St. Vincent

This is a signature guitar made by Ernie Ball with the artist St. Vincent. If you know St Vincent, like St Vincent and want to sound like St Vincent, then this might be for you. There’s literally nothing else to be said.

3. Soundbrenner

Touting the ‘first wearable device for musicians’, the applications of this metronome watch are immediate and obvious. Instead of hearing a tortuous metronome click, Soundbrenner‘s product conveys tempo using vibrations for a more bodily approach to musicianship.

Soundbrenner‘s angle is the revolution of the metronome ‘experience’. Metronomes have been a fixture of the musician’s life for centuries. They’re not especially great fun. Nobody has ever said that they love playing to a metronome, but all serious musicians realise the benefits of practising with one. What Soundbrenner aims to do is inject some fun into the chore of metronome practice. An ambitious foray into what could very well be the next dimension of music technology, this idea seems very cool indeed. We can’t wait to try it out.

4. EVH (Eddie Van Halen pedal)

For those special people who want to take emulation of Eddie Van Halen to new, staggering heights, this pedal from Jim Dunlop does precisely that. Check out the videos from Guitar World below.

5. Electro-Harmonix

Digital titans Electro-Harmonix will be at NAMM in force. Following the age-old company traditional of revisiting the past and cyclically churning our digital remakes, EHX have released Lester G and Lester K, their pair of rotary-speaker emulation pedals.

6. ACPAD

No, not a dyslexic and slightly dim AC/DC tribute band, but the company which has launched the world’s first wireless MIDI controller. I think this product has a fairly singular audience; if you’re the kind of person who reckons he could benefit from having instant access to an virtual orchestra while playing guitar, then this is right up your street. Buskers take note; this is an opportunity to serious up your game.

Aesthetically, if you’re a fan of aged and vintage looking guitars then be warned that this device, slim and streamlined as it is, definitely adds an unmistakeable sci-fi vibe to your instrument. The cool thing is however, is that the ACPAD is easy to take on and off. Dusky Johnny Cash cover for one song, sonic recreation of an asteroid field for the next. The future is about choices, people.

7. Roadietuner

A real solution for a real problem. Roadietuner is a guitar tuner which looks somewhere between a breathalyser and a high-tech vaporiser. It is clipped onto each peg as you tune each string in turn. Not satisfied with merely showing you how to correct your pitch, Roadietuner works like a motorised wrench by actually twisting the peg, tuning the string with mechanical accuracy.

I’m not sure what fickle combination of factors have to be in place for a single product to explode into ubiquity, but if Roadietuner plays its cards right, this could genuinely be revolutionary – a product to be found in every guitarist’s gig bag alongside spare strings and a capo duster. It also connects to your smartphone. Because 2016.

8. Fender Bassbreaker Series

Fender, with all of its longstanding clout and contribution to amplified music, doesn’t really need to bring out anything new. It could simply rest on its (legendary) laurels and still turn over a monstrous profit by selling its existing guitar and amplifier range until the end of days. However, carrying the same creative zeal which birthed products like the Stratocaster and Twin Reverb, the company has finally lifted the lid on its latest oblation: the Fender Bassbreaker series. Like the classic and equally misleadingly-named Fender Bassman, these amplifiers are very much suitable for guitars, and promise a novel and ballsy take on modern amplification.

Fender, presumably after a marketing meeting where everyone left the room feeling especially pleased with themselves, have been promoting this range as some sort of twisted sonic abomination which has finally been unshackled and allowed to crawl out of the dungeon into the rainy night. According to their website, this range of amps promises ‘Fender DNA with a twist’, allowing players to ‘explore the dark side’. Indeed. We’ll be there at NAMM, crucifixes in hand.

9. Virtual Jeff

Virtual Jeff, brainchild of FOMOfx, is a whammy bar without being a whammy bar. Similar to the ACPAD, it’s a slap-on digital accessory which aims to nullify the hassles of a real, ‘mechanical’ vibrato system. These include fiddly installation which may likely depreciate the value of an older guitar as well as the everyday pain points of tuning issues or broken strings. Attach Virtual Jeff to your guitar and enjoy the instant tonal reach of a whammy bar without the commitment or risks of the real thing.

This is it people, the unstoppable charge of digitalisation. It first crushed our cameras under its hooves, then our televisions sets, then our cigarettes. Now even the way we play guitar is sought to being improved and made as painless as possible. In theory, products like Virtual Jeff seem fantastic, a well-targeted product with very reasonable aims. For all of its sleek functionality however, it is ultimately up to the worldwide community of guitarists and guitar nerds to make the final verdict on Virtual Jeff.

10. A Little Thunder

Bassists are a bitch to find. It seems guitar players are a dime a dozen but competent bassists are a scarce commodity around the world. A Little Thunder seems to remedy this issue by removing them from the equation altogether. Yeah. F**k them, anyway. The concept works by introducing a pickup which, at the flip of a switch, lowers the frequential output of the low E and A strings, effectively turning them into bass strings. Although the idea may seem a little gimmicky at first, the company’s earnest product video features a heavily-edited flurry of cameos by moderately well-known guitarists, all unanimous in their praise of the pickup’s sound and functionality.

If you dig the idea, A Little Thunder allows you take it even further by splitting the signal through different amplification. Your bottom two strings will come out through a bass amplifier, while the rest of your strings through a normal amplifier. Interesting.

The post The 10 Hottest Guitar Products: NAMM 2016 appeared first on Uberchord App.

SXSW Music Acts Featuring Local Bands

1. Roxy Roca

Genre: Funk

These guys are an 8-piece ensemble with that coveted ‘oomph’ factor every funk band aspires to. You know what I mean. Roxy Roca is carnal funk music which absolutely drips with bravado. The sort which totally hijacks the motor control over your face. Your mouth contorts into a drooping grimace, your brows furrow and your head can do naught but strut back and forth like a pigeon. This isn’t the band to politely nod along to. This is where you groove your ass off.

SXSW Showcase: Wednesday, March 18  from 1:00AM – 1:55AM at Lucky Lounge

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Roxy Roca is carnal funk music which absolutely drips with bravado. The sort which totally hijacks the motor control over your face. “]

2. Joel Laviolette and Rattletree

Genre: World

The obligatory ‘wildcard’ pick on the list. If traditional Zimbabwean Marimba music is already your reason for getting out of bed every morning, then you’re bang in luck. If you’re still culturally unacquainted with such delights, this band serves as our educational, horizon-widening choice. From their showreel they seem to be a cracker of a live act too, seemingly suitable for both drug-fueled raves and children’s birthday parties. There’s something vaguely therapeutic about the soft, paddling melodies of the marimba, we encourage you to see for yourself.

SXSW Showcase: Friday, March 20 from 9:00PM – 9:40PM at Russian House

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”If traditional Zimbabwean Marimba music is already your reason for getting out of bed every morning, then you’re bang in luck.”]

3. Birdlegg

Genre: Blues

Would I be succumbing to cliché if I said that Birdlegg belongs to the last of a dying breed? What I really mean by that, of course, is that he’s an old African American dude who knows how to play the blues. For an extra stamp of authenticity, he has a slightly puckered face indicative of a lack of nutrition as a child during those dusty post-war years, or perhaps too long pursed at the mouthpiece of a harmonica. In any case, the man is a hurricane. Birdlegg plays his instrument with the same brazen furore as the stompin’ bluesmen of old. Birdlegg is one of the few remaining flag-bearers of traditional, unpretentious blues. Experience him at the Saxon Pub.

SXSW Showcase: Friday, March 20 from 10:50PM – 11:30PM at Saxon Pub

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook  

[bctt tweet=”Birdlegg plays his instrument with the same brazen furore as the stompin’ bluesmen of old. Birdlegg is one of the few remaining flag-bearers of traditional, unpretentious blues. Experience him at the Saxon Pub.”]

4. Quiet Company

Genre: Rock

Jaunty pop rock which thankfully leans away from indie banalities. I grow ever fonder of Quiet Company with every listen. With their pretty melodies bolstered by potent synth lines, they meet all the right requirements for an incendiary, drunken midnight set at Red Eyed Fly.

SXSW Showcase: Thursday, March 19 from 12:00AM – 12:40AM at Red Eyed Fly

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Jaunty pop rock which thankfully leans away from indie banalities. I grow ever fonder of Quiet Company with every listen.”]

5. El Tule

Genre: Latin Rock

Considering that the Mexican border’s only a stone’s throw away, assuming the stone is launched from a catapult mounted on a satellite, Austin’s latino demographic is integral to its culture. Bringing their salacious blend of Cumbia and Salsa to SXSW, El Tule are accessible, infectious and will entice even the most introverted to the dance floor. Expect warm, Santana-esque guitar melodies, gringos attempting to dance Salsa, and depending on your moves, the chance of going home with somebody considerably above your league.

SXSW Showcase: Wednesday, March 18 (Time TBA) at Flamingo Cantina

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

6. Warm Soda

Genre: Rock

Yep. I’ve always been a sucker for chugging 16th note pop-punk melodies. Warm Soda remind me of being an angsty little boy again. Close your eyes and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported back to the mid-90’s golden era of melodic punk. Open your eyes however, and you’ll be greeted with one of the most ecclectic-looking bands on offer at this year’s festival. With a consciously mismatched look, Warm Soda consists of a frontman bringing back the moustachioed 1970’s paedophile look, a heavily primped infant on the guitar, a pig-tailed bass player and a retired pirate behind the drum kit. They safely have my vote.

SXSW Showcase: Saturday, March 21 from 11:00PM – 11:30PM at Hotel Vegas Patio 

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook

[bctt tweet=”Warm Soda remind me of being an angsty little boy again. Close your eyes and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported back to the mid-90’s golden era of melodic punk. “]

7. Abram Shook

Genre: Pop

I like Abram Shook. The guy evidently knows how to write a good song, even if it occasionally gets too abstract and indie for my liking. His 2013 track ‘Coastal’ ranks among my personal favourites from this years lineup. Sounding genuinely fresh, it features a killer laid-back bassline reminiscent of early 90’s RnB, overlaid with delicate, shimmering guitar and perfectly layered vocals.

SXSW Showcases: Tuesday, March 17 from 9:00PM – 9:40PM at Cheer Up Charlie’s Inside AND Thursday, March 19 from 12:00AM – 12:40AM at The Hideout

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Abram Shook’s 2013 track ‘Coastal’ ranks among my personal favourites from this years lineup. “]

8. Neon Cobra

Genre: Rock

The photo of the band alone screams, “you are going to have a weird, crazy good time”. Neon Cobra is raucous, venue-shaking rock music at its finest. Have your fun nodding appreciatively at the many fantastic bands on offer at SXSW this year. When you’re done however, go see Neon Cobra for your evening dose of neat Rock N’ Roll, which burns on the way down.

SXSW Showcase: Wednesday, March 18 from 8:00PM – 8:40PM at Karma Lounge

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=” Neon Cobra is raucous, venue-shaking rock music at its finest.”]

9. John Mills Times Ten

Genre: Jazz

Among the most original acts I’ve heard in a long while. This ten-piece band perform what I can only describe as musical narrative. Their songs demand your attention and guide you along a sonic exploration, dipping and diving through various soundscapes. This is enabled only by the composite members of the band, all of whom are talented and imperatively tight. Absolute genius.

SXSW Showcase: Thursday, March 19 from 8:00PM – 8:40PM at Elephant Room

Reverbnation Playlist

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=” Their songs demand your attention and guide you along a sonic exploration, dipping and diving through various soundscapes. “]

10. Dawn and Hawkes

Genre: Singer-Songwriter

Dawn and Hawkes is a tidy little project from two musicians named, shockingly, Dawn and Hawkes. Their music is rocky with a definitive country ‘twang’ and chord resolution. Considering there’s a maximum of only two guitars and vocals at play, this couple creates very pretty, balanced songs. Their tunes are dainty and heartwarming, like pocket-sized injections of sheer life assurance. These guys also win this year’s entirely fictitious award of best looking act per capita.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Dawn and Hawkes is a tidy little project from two musicians named, shockingly, Dawn and Hawkes. “]

That’s all ten local Austin bands, guys! We had a great time going through this lineup. If you’re going to SXSW music festival this year, perhaps we will cross paths.

We covered Ume in our last SXSW post featuring rock bands, but they are also from Austin so if you missed it, it’s worth giving them a listen. Hard to believe that in only two weeks time, we’ll be diving head first into the Austin music scene. Enjoy exploring the rest of the SXSW musicians out there.

The post SXSW Music: Discover 10 Local Bands From Austin appeared first on Uberchord App.

SXSW Music Acts

In no particular order…hell it was hard enough to narrow down the acts to ten bands.

1. CRUISR

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a conscious effort to write poppy hooks which implant themselves firmly in the listener’s head, CRUISR prove quite difficult to dislike. Their songs fall within the lighter, poppier side of indie music. Consider them an antidote to weary feet and weary ears. Easy to listen to, butbe warned, some of these vocals may be infectious – in a good way!

SXSW Showcase: Thursday, March 19 from 10:30PM – 11:10PM at Red 7 Patio

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”With a conscious effort to write poppy hooks which implant themselves firmly in the listener’s head, CRUISR prove quite difficult to dislike.”]

2. Banditos

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

I’m immediately drawn in by Banditos, in no small part due to their strong image. Indeed, they look like a party of enchanted scarecrows who, on one of their ethereal moonlit walks across the Tennessee plains managed to bewitch a passing girl into forming a country band. Interestingly enough, their music doesn’t sound too far off this mark. If you’re a sucker for banjo-driven music, played with menace and ferocious kazoo melodies, this is definitely one for you.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Indeed, they look like a party of enchanted scarecrows who, on one of their ethereal moonlit walks across the Tennessee plains managed to bewitch a passing girl into forming a country band. “]

3. Jukebox the Ghost

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

An absolute gem of a band. Check these guys out for a truly modern take on rock music. It’s easy to become self-absorbed when consciously trying to be different, and create music that may be interesting but not particularly inspiring. This most certainly isn’t the case here. One of the most deeply original bands we’ve ever heard, JtG’s composition ranges from jarring rhythm and vocal breaks to Bohemian-Rhapsody-esque choral melodies, without once losing sight of what makes a balanced, great song. You have two opportunities so don’t miss these guys, for your own sake.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter  

[bctt tweet=”Jukebox the Ghost’s composition ranges from jarring rhythm and vocal breaks to Bohemian-Rhapsody-esque choral melodies, without once losing sight of what makes a balanced, great song. “]

4. COIN

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Carefree rock with a summery sheen. With far too many bands nowadays forcing the ‘edgy’ look, it’s quite refreshing to see clean-cut guys playing bouncy indie music without any hint of pretence. See them live for an upbeat pick-me-up before your night of wandering begins.

.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Coin is carefree rock with a summery sheen. With far too many bands nowadays forcing the ‘edgy’ look, it’s quite refreshing to see clean-cut guys playing bouncy indie music without any hint of pretence. “]

5. Nightmare Air

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Rock band Nightmare Air are another band to watch. Sounding like an indie-fied Janes Addiction with a loud rock aesthetic, these guys could definitely be one to watch in the future. Buzz Osbourne lookalike Dave Dupuis shares lead duties with Kim Deal impersonator Swaan Miller, creating a dreamy 90’s influenced sound with a lot of bite.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Sounding like an indie-fied Janes Addiction with a loud rock aesthetic, Nightmare Air are definitely one to watch in the future.”]

6. Ume

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Ume have certainly been getting a lot of attention recently. Reminiscent of dreamy alternative bands like Sonic Youth with wafts of Arcade Fire, Ume present a style both familiar and very new. Their 16th-note indie rhythms underpin a harmonically rich fusion of noise and art-rock, edged with a distinct sense of digital modernity. Rock N’ Roll for the new age.

SXSW Showcase: Thursday, March 19 from 8:00PM – 8:40PM at Red 7

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=” Reminiscent of dreamy alternative bands like Sonic Youth with wafts of Arcade Fire, Ume present a style both familiar and very new. “]

7. Royal Thunder

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

A fantastic band from Georgia who know how to whip up atmosphere and a sonic sense of dread. Royal Thunder is a heavy rock outfit who occasionally veer close to the doom and stoner rock movements of the 90’s. Their dark melodies and slow, sludgy chord progressions make them an ideal band for that moment in the night where you just want to sway gently back and forth on the dance floor and induce an introspective trip.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Royal Thunder are a fantastic band from Georgia who know how to whip up atmosphere and a sonic sense of dread. “]

8. Baby Bee

Hometown: Houma, Louisiana

We at Uberchord have only the utmost respect for those dragging blues back into the mainstream against the tide of auto-tuned dross that is modern pop music. Baby Bee have the killer combination of modern, svelte looks and a minimalistic, two-member approach to their live show which has catapulted bands with similar acts like The White Stripes and Royal Blood into fame. Determined to prove the indisputable charm of a good pentatonic riff and chugging blues rhythms, Baby Bee are on a launchpad pointed directly at the top.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Baby Bee have the killer combination of modern, svelte looks and a minimalistic, two-member approach to their live show which has catapulted bands with similar acts like The White Stripes and Royal Blood into fame. “]

9. LITE

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Straddling the boundary between disjointed breakpop and seriously intricate math-rock, LITE is most certainly not for the casual music fan. No vocals here, just mathematically stimulating syncopations. Harmonious discord, if you will. This is a must see for any musician, to gape at the sheer precision and complexity of rhythm if nothing else. If a machine was created to reproduce symphonic masterpieces, this would be the sound of it violently malfunctioning. Somewhere buried deep within this din is conventional, even melodic indie. That being said, this is emphatically NOT the gig you want to bring that girl you just picked up off 6th street to in order to seal the deal.

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”Straddling the boundary between disjointed breakpop and seriously intricate math-rock, LITE is most certainly not for the casual music fan.”]

10. King Tuff

Hometown: Brattleboro, Vermont

What’s not to love? Hairy men doing garage-rock with plenty of attitude and slightly fuzzy guitar. Expect honey sweet melodies, big smiles, big riffs and an image both incongruent and totally damn appropriate for the music they play. An experience for sure.

,,,

Website | SXSW Page | Facebook | Twitter

[bctt tweet=”What’s not to love? Hairy men doing garage-rock with plenty of attitude and slightly fuzzy guitar.”]

That’s all ten rock bands, folks! We had a great time going through this lineup. If you’re going to SXSW this year, maybe we will cross paths. Enjoy exploring the rest of the SXSW musicians out there. Tons of fresh talent worth feasting your ears and eyes on.

The post SXSW Music: 10 Rock Bands You Won’t Want to Miss appeared first on Uberchord App.

Have you been thinking about attending Dublin’s famous Web Summit tech conference this year? Web Summit ticket prices are really expensive (1,618 Euros!) so we don’t blame you if the cost was what deterred you.

Luckily for you, we have 1 free Web Summit ticket that we are giving away & your chances of winning it are still very high. For a chance to win the free Web Summit ticket, simply visit our Twitter profile  and retweet this post for a chance to win!

What is Web Summit? Web Summit has become one of the most influential and international tech events. This year, on November 4-6, Web Summit will showcase over 500 world-renowned speakers, 10 stages including the Digital Marketing, Internet of Things, Enterprise, and Builders Summits, 2,000 worldwide startups invited to exhibit their ideas, 200+ satellite events, 1,000 experienced investors, and 800 of the best tech journalists. For 3 days this November, Dublin will once again become the international tech capital.

The post Free Web Summit Ticket Giveaway! appeared first on Uberchord App.

Uberchord was at Startup Night in Berlin

Startup Night is Europe’s biggest startup event, hosted by Deutsche Telekom and IHK Berlin (also known as Lange Nacht der Startups in German). Uberchord was one of 100+ startups presenting themselves to more than 2,500 attendees! The event allowed us to present Uberchord in a booth with live demos of the iPhone app using an electric guitar and a cool Yahama THR5 amp. We received a ton of attention and feedback from the general public that will help us fine-tune the app before it is released in the coming months.

It was especially encouraging to be approached by multiple investors with great interest and productive conversations. Although the team had been at Startup Night from 9am until midnight (15 hours to be exact!), we went home feeling inspired and energized… Sleeping until 3pm the next day definitely helped, however. ;–) To learn more about Startup Night, check out the site: www.startupnight.de.

As always, thanks for reading. There’s more to come, so sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook & Twitter!

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