Later, this was adapted into The Archie Show, with the music video reaching an audience well beyond the target demo. Archie Comics began in the 1930s and was about a group of teens from Riverdale. Yeah, the music video is definitely a product of its time, but it embodied a transmedia spirit. Then of course, you have The Archies with their chart-topper Sugar, Sugar (1969). High-pitched chipmunks take America by storm with their gimmick, comics, The first of which being 1958’s Alvin and the Chipmunks, which saw three
But first, what is a virtual band?Ī definition, a “virtual band” is simply a band where the core group is animated.Īlthough the term is fairly recent, there is a history of fictional artists – When it comes to virtual bands telling multi-media narratives, Gorillaz is the one to watch.īy the end of this post, I hope you’ll have a new appreciation for mixed-reality storytelling, music videos, and immersive marketing. After all, this is a blog that looks at transmedia storytelling, and that incorporates all manner of mediums – including music. That’s why I wanted to discuss their work and kick off my first music-focused post. They are undoubtedly one of the most successful virtual bands of all time.
I think it’s because it was so ahead of its time – an animated virtual band, with an ongoing story and interactive marketing. One of the things that’s recently been at the back of my mind is the Gorillaz franchise.