Islanders Set To Change Course of Music-Making History

— from Ayn Gailey —

Bruce Pavitt, Kim Thayil, Steven Henry Fisk, Adam Farish. Photo by Charles Peterson.

Only on Orcas Island can one, in the span of a single day, learn how to make archipelago jam, hike to a waterfall, then take part in a conversation led by fellow islanders who just happen to be on the verge of changing the music industry as we know it.

Music Disrupted: How Digital Technology Takes Us Beyond Listening at Orcas Center this past weekend was equal parts history lesson on the remix—with a homage to forefathers of the mixing movement: King Tubby, Grand Master Flash and Kraftwerk—as it was a lecture on music industry trends. That said, the most compelling aspect of the talk, was an introduction into 8Stem, a new, free, music-making and music-sharing app created and launched by Orcas Island native, Adam Farish, and long-time islander, Bruce Pavitt.

Farish, a musician, producer and tech entrepreneur grew up on the island and co-owns Outlook Inn with wife Sara Farish. Pavitt, who moved to Orcas Island in 1997, is known as a cultural icon in music history and is most famous for his part in creating Sub Pop Records, which released the first albums by Nirvana, Mudhoney, and Soundgarden, helping to birth the “grunge movement” in music.

Together, Farish and Pavitt, helped along by a staff in Seattle and an impressive array of musicians, are now pioneering their revolutionary, interactive app to empower everyday users to be part of a new era of music that is participatory, immediate, and social.

“8Stem is like Guitar Hero for remixes,” explains Farish. “For the first time in music history, our users can download licensed tracks, take them apart—for instance add guitar, remove keyboard and even rearrange song sections—then share the result of their efforts on social media—all while riding the bus or train on the way to work or school…It’s that simple.”

The 8Stem application is currently available to iPhone users, but Farish and Pavitt are working on an Android beta application in time for the Upstream Music Fest in May.

To download your free 8Stem app visit iTunes.