Listen up! Band of the Day, Apple’s Runner Up for iPhone App of the Year in 2011, is now a universal app.
In addition to now running natively on the iPad, the application’s most recent update also altered the UI to give users easier access to recent activity and settings from an interactive side bar. The developer also tweaked the music player and made downloads for past bands run more smoothly.
Band of the Day’s premise is simple. Each day the app serves up music, videos, and a review for an up-and-coming musical act. While the lion’s share of the bands appear on independent labels, the creators take a catholic approach to music curation.
In addition to acts like Dum Dum Girls, Blitzen Trapper, and Neon Indian, who represent different styles that are loosely grouped under the indie rock umbrella, Band of the Day doesn’t limit itself to Pitchfork darlings. At any point users may find artists that embrace rock, folk, dance, or a patchwork of almost any genre you can think of.
This month the app featured Ntjam Rosie, who it bills as a “Cameroonian-Dutch jazz songstress” *who looks like Janelle Monáe and sounds like Sade. Perhaps the cowbell-laden dance punk of La Vida Boheme is more what’re looking for?*Regardless of a listener’s mood, Band of the Day will uncover new musical nooks and crannies that are sure to excite and delight all who use the app.
The app’s UI is sharp and sleek. The mix-tape option creates instant playlists for users who aren’t sure where to begin. Plus users can rate bands and buzz up their favorites by posting comments to Twitter from within the app. Band of the Day also hopes the app’s fans will use Facebook to invite more users to listen.
Once a user discovers a great new band, it is easy buy songs from the artists featured on Band of the Day by tapping a link to iTunes.
Band of the Day is free to download from the App Store.