Daytrotter

Daytrotter is a different type of music blog, one whose main function is not just to talk about music and post mp3s but to do so through inviting bands into their personal studio to record live sessions. This format gives listeners fresh takes of their bands' favorite songs, along with short bios and editorial perspectives on the bands' careers and sound. These bios and perspectives are far from judgmental and, at the same time, do not necessarily convince the reader that it is crucial they listen to the band. The recordings are all very organic and give listeners a feel for what the band would sound like in a more live setting rather than on record. Considering the lo-fidelity nature of many of today's most-blogged and most-talked about bands, its a breath of fresh air to hear them in a live setting to get a taste of how their sound translates without studio polishing.

As of today, Daytrotter has recorded 771 live sessions. Some bands have come back more than once on request of the blog, showing a development of their sound. Each session has links to further information about the band, usually through a record label website or a Myspace page. There are also comment sections for each session. The comments are for the most part very supportive of the artist, giving praise to the artists' abilities.

There is also a Reviews section, a Live Concert Video section, Live Show Listings (presented by Daytrotter, and a Merchandise section. While the reviews and live concert videos are pretty standard for blogs, the ladder sections serve as a way for the blog to make revenue in order to support itself. The reviews seem to have dropped off in the past year, with the focus staying more on the blog's main purpose.

Whereas many blogs exist as a means to spread new music, Daytrotter takes a more archival approach, one that will certainly become more and more appreciated as time goes by and music changes. There have been instances, however, when a band's reputation has increased a fair deal due to a great session with Daytrotter. Because they are well known throughout the blogging world, this strong reputation entices users to listen to said bands. This type of hype is worthy of itself since the band is proving their abilities to perform in a live setting, not just on record.

From the About section:

"Daytrotter -- One band a day, every day, 28 Daytrotter Session songs each week
There are so many music/entertainment websites that copy one another, scrambling so fast to “discover” or present something new to the world. And just because you get there first, it doesn’t really make you an explorer. We did poke a stars and stripes into the moon, but we could always see it. We knew it was there. It wasn’t new. We can always come along and say we did, saw, heard something first, but we’re never right. What Daytrotter is attempting to do is to not kid around with you and tell you that we found something that you never knew existed. We are going to contribute to the musical landscape, not just toss it around like a used book or a stolen pick-up line. We’re going to give you something that you truly have never heard. We are not giving you songs from someone you love’s record album, thereby stealing from someone you love. We’re giving you exclusive, re-worked, alternate versions of old songs and unreleased tracks by some of your favorite bands and by a lot of your next favorite bands.

Daytrotter Sessions
These fine people – as they’re traveling through America’s heartland – take two hours out of their travels between shows to stop in for a Daytrotter Session at The Horseshack in downtown Rock Island, Ill. The name of the city is not ironic. They use borrowed instruments, play with their touring mates, utilize an often unkempt toilet, eat some food and then cram back into their vans for the last half of the drive. What they leave behind is a pile of ashes, sometimes a forgotten stocking hat and four absolutely collectible songs that often impart on whomever listens to them the true intensity that these musicians put into their art, sometimes with more clarity than they do when they have months to tinker with overdubs and experiments. These songs are them as they are on that particular day, on that particular tour – dirty and alive. We want you to make this your new home as it is ours. We promise that you will love it here."

Check it out @: http://www.daytrotter.com/