Mac DeMarco’s “This Old Dog” Launches Inception and Pitchfork’s VR Programming

Last month VRFocus reported on online music magazine Pitchfork and  immersive content network Inception teaming up to provide interactive music content. Today the two companies have launched their first joint virtual reality (VR) programming featuring artist Mac DeMarco’s single This Old Dog.

Multimedia artist Rachel Rossin created the video, utilising first generation CGI and 90’s videogame graphics as a basis for this psychedelic journey.

Mac DeMarco Inception Pitchfork screenshot 2 “Our collaboration with Pitchfork and Mac DeMarco showcases the next generation of music programming,” said Benny Arbel, CEO and Co-Founder of Inception. “Just as music videos were transformative when first introduced, we believe that VR is the future of music—with immersive and multi-dimensional multi-sensory capabilities. Pitchfork is the most trusted voice in music and we lead in VR content across entertainment. Look out for more taste-making VR content from us that, we believe, will define and steer the industry.”

“While we’re not putting any limits on our partnership with Inception and what we may do down the road, at the moment, we’re singularly focused on creating VR music videos,” said RJ Bentler, Pitchfork VP of video programming. “Music videos have been a huge driver of the digital medium for a decade, and have helped shape and define the form. It’s an infinitely malleable format, and the immersive and interactive nature of VR opens up an equally infinite number of possibilities for visualizing and experiencing music.”

DeMarco’s This Old Dog is available on Pitchfork’s VR music channel on the Inception app. The app can be found on Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear, iOS, Android, Google Daydream and HTC Vive, with Microsoft Windows Mixed Reality and Sony PSVR coming soon.

For the latest updates from Inception and Pitchfork, keep reading VRFocus.

Pitchfork and Inception Team Up To Bring Music and VR Together

Inception have had great ambitions from the very start to become ‘The Netflix of virtual reality (VR)’ and since its launch has provided a platform for immersive content. Inception are now expanding the content available by teaming with online music magazine Pitchfork to provide immersive and interactive music content.

Pitchfork’s online magazine has existed since 1995 and has become a trusted and respected name in the music world. It’s music channel was launched in 2008 and has produced various documentaries, live performances and web series. Pitchfork and Inception are now bringing that content into VR with the launch of the Pitchfork VR Music Channel.

“Inception is a double threat — both a platform and studio — and they share a similar point of view on VR’s most exciting opportunities. I’m looking forward to our partnership because it gives Pitchfork a destination within the virtual reality space, and significant experience and expertise on the production side,” said RJ Bentler, Pitchfork Vice President, Video Programming. “Music videos have been a driver in the digital video space for a decade, and we see huge potential in expanding the art form into this much more immersive format. This is an entirely new way to think about visualizing and experiencing music, and we have tons of crazy ideas up our sleeve.”

The first piece of immersive content from Pitchfork is due to come to Inception’s platform in a few weeks, though there is currently no word on what exactly that will be.

“We selected Pitchfork as our number one music partner because we believe they truly are the most trusted voice in music,” said Benny Arbel, Inception CEO. “Their approach that marries documentary, live and review content fits perfectly with our VR world. Inception’s proven capability in interactive VR casual entertainment together with the creativity from the Pitchfork team and their selected artists, will create truly immersive entertainment VR content.”

VRFocus will bring you further information on Inception and new VR content as it becomes available.