Project Analysis: The Phantom of the Cineplex's Success In an Internet Community

The Internet creates numerous opportunities for this modern generation, especially in the field of music production. With so many tools at ones disposal one only needs a computer to begin their ascent to stardom.

“The sheer amount of artists (at times, the term is applied loosely) with songs streaming from pretty much every other corner of the Internet is indicative of the fact that most musicians are aware of how easy it is to get decent-sounding recordings out to the general populous.”- Andrew King (Canadian music)

For the electronica band The Phantom of the Cineplex, the digital world of the Internet is a perfect place for their music to flourish. They are a prime example of a band taking advantage of the Internet’s valuable resources in order to gain fame. Also the formation of an online following for The Phantom of the Cineplex shows the ability for a band to network incredibly easily with limited resources.

Not only is The Phantom of the Cineplex able to connect with thousands of fans with the click of button, those fans can finally interact with the band. In the past, bands were almost intangible by the audience, but now this interaction is essential for the well being of a band like The Phantom of the Cineplex.

A member of the band, Dan Raynard, discusses the ease of developing music for the Internet and the new system for quality control of bands. With the creation of online communities around bands, the fans can weed out the musicians who don’t cut it, just by ignoring their music.

I believe this is an incredible phenomenon that fosters an idea for quality music production without ever having to step foot in a studio. The studio system has become obsolete where bands are gaining fame despite still being independent.
What once was the norm, attempting to find a label for one self used to be a bands top priority, but with more bands like The Phantom of the Cineplex this dependence on the studio is unnecessary.

Even bands like OK Go Who have already become famous, choose to leave their record label in order to go back to the indie music making scene.

“A lot of great records released over the last few years have come from very humble recording spaces. If you're unable to justify the expense of working in a dedicated recording studio alongside industry professionals, it's possible to get a good sounding product without spending a great amount of money; however, let's be clear. There still isn't a substitute for having an experienced producer or engineer onboard with your recording.”- Andrew King (Canadian music)

I disagree with this quote completely. Although record producers have experience and knowledge in the field of producing music, that is the knowledge that they are limited to. Now with the vast Internet community, making it big requires knowledge of online networking as well as personal connection with ones fans. The music production can be learned just like any other skill and the music production of the future will take place in the homes of the every day man.

The phenomenon of self-music production is real and bands like The Phantom of the Cineplex are benefiting from of it. The phenomenon has even created the rise in music of the electronica genre. The development of the electronica genre is mainly due to a musician’s ability to produce the music without knowing how to play an instrument.

Q: Have you seen an increase in the amount of people producing "electronica" music on the Internet?
POTC: Yes, if you go on hypem.com or 8tracks or even going to parties everyone is listening to electronica. Everyone wants to keep that beat going from start to end and electronica songs give that while incorporating a bunch of different genres. It’s so easy to get started with electronica music that it seems everyone is doing it.

Despite the vast amount of bands creating music and trying to become famous the most important element for a band like The Phantom of the Cineplex being heard is quality. If a band is able to stay catchy while maintaining quality in their music they will be heard.
With quality comes the development of fans and a fan community. The fan community for The Phantom of the Cineplex happens to create new media for the band thus constantly promoting The Phantom of the Cineplex’s music.
Even The Phantom of the Cineplex acknowledges that if it weren’t for his bands being so proactive in the production of videos and posters for his band he would not be where he is today.

Q: What do u think of the free advertisement?
POTC: I wouldnt have as big of a following without them, period. Because of free advertisement I can allocate my funds else wear on t-shirts and equipment thus furthering the growth of The Phantom of the Cineplex.