Hacking on Rd.io at Spotify - Epilogue

This is part of my experience when I attended the Spotify NYC hackathon in 2013.

The Rd.io hackathon prize was a year of Rd.io’s music service.

I never had a streaming music service. I usually acquired my music by other methods.

Also, I did not listen to Billboard charts or mainstream music. I would go for electronic music such as house, techno, or trance.

My real love is trance - I loved checking out trance shows during my time in Tokyo and Germany.

After moving from Germany to the USA, around 2010, my passion for trance waned. Mainstram radio had better music for me. I was just not feeling any interest in trance - at least not from my favorite trance DJ: Paul van Dyk.

I listened to Paul van Dyk on Rd.io - I loved listening to all of the VONYC Sessions annual series - but it didn’t get me excited for trance. Nor did other trance DJs, like Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, or Ferry Corsten. I just didn’t like trance anymore.

Rd.io’s recommendation engine started suggesting me another trance DJ: John O’Callaghan. I listened to his Subculture 2013 CD mix and

🤯

Yes, this set got me pumped. I found new trance DJs that did awesome sets, that I love to dance to.

I never knew how much of a “trance slump” I was until I had found a new set of trance music. The only way I found it - through Rd.io’s recommendation engine.

The only reason why I got onto Rd.io? Doing a hack the main hackathon sponsor’s rival’s API.

Thank You Rd.io for getting me back into my musical passions.