WarRock as the Informed User and Remix Culture

WarRock is an example of the informed user in that he uses the new media tools for work,play,interaction all wrapped up into one. WarRock on the FAQ portion of his site states that he makes his music by plugging a microphone into an Alesis preamp mixer which feeds the signal to his external USB sound card which then travels to his Macbook. For tracking and editing he uses Garageband and Audacity to do light mastering. While his professional releases are mixed and mastered by others.

Picture of Adam WarRock from The Guardian

What advantages has the internet provided you that other mediums can't offer you?

“For one, it's freed me of the need to build a regional base. Most bands, they have to start in their own hometown, or region, and build a fanbase up that way. That requires getting in good with the local bookers, knowing people that run the venues, know the other bands. I just made music that went straight to the consumer no matter where they lived, and when I started getting more coverage, I was able to go on tour and just do shows in a ton of cities where I had an already established fanbase. Not only that, but I didn't have to deal with the local politics of a live scene, and didn't have to constrain myself to only breaking through in one area. I even have fans in like Turkey, Norway, Sweden and Australia, places I've never even been! But if I ever do go, I at least know I can succeed somewhat “

Besides his own work WarRock also shares and mentions other work he is appreciative of. Going through his site and social media platforms one can find recommendations for other indie artists, comic book series, fan created works etc. WarRock is a producer and consumer of the new media age.

http://www.adamwarrock.com/?p=2180

WarRock's love for his craft and his influences really shine through his work and his writings. Most of the songs he post on a weekly bases come with a couple of words on what it's about and what influenced it. WarRock's samples have a wide range which include common hip hop samples such as 90s “gangsta rap” West Coast Avengers mix tape to a Vampire Weekend EP. As well as things like a Jane Austen influenced song with a Maroon 5 “Moves like Jagger” sample.



WarRock like Doctorow is supportive about fans of his remixing his work as well as sharing it.

How do you feel about remix culture and people taking your songs and making music videos out of them or just remixing your song while still crediting you?

Yeah, I’m totally down with people using my music and doing whatever they want with it, so long as they credit me and throw a link to my website. I think that so much music is out there illegally (I get Google Alerts daily about which torrent or mp3 site has my albums up) that if we get credit, and it’s presented in a quality that is acceptable, I’m all for it. I love the interactive part of music, and I would be kind of a hypocrite if I didn’t, being that that’s what I do with my site as it is.