We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tony Burrus. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tony below.
Tony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
On November 11th, 2011, while living in North Carolina, I had a moment of inspiration at about 1:30 AM. I woke up with a crazy idea that I initially wanted to call “The Art Of Noise,” inspired by a group I loved for their hit song “Moments in Love.” However, I feared the name might cause legal issues, so I renamed it to better reflect the emotions and experiences people have with music.
Here’s an edited version of what I jotted down on my phone that morning:
“There comes a time in everyone’s life when a band, beat, or lyric captivates you, creating an instant connection. From that moment on, you know something extraordinary is happening.”
Tony, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
At VNYL, we are passionate about music and dedicated to creating a unique and nostalgic experience for music lovers. We blend the timeless joy of vinyl discovery with the convenience and innovation of modern streaming platforms. Our mission is to reshape the digital music experience, making it more personal, engaging, and reminiscent of the golden days of record stores.
How Did VNYL Begin?
VNYL was born from a deep love for music and the desire to bring back the magic of discovering new tunes in a way that feels authentic and soulful. Our founders, avid music enthusiasts, and industry veterans recognized a gap in the digital music market. While streaming platforms offered convenience, they lacked the personal touch and sense of community that came with traditional record stores. We wanted to bridge that gap, combining the best of both worlds to create a platform that celebrates music discovery in a deeply personal and interconnected way.
What Do We Offer?
VNYL offers a comprehensive music streaming service with a twist of nostalgia.
Our platform provides:
-Personalized Music Discovery: Through our smart shuffle feature, Daylist, powered by generative AI, we curate tracks that align with your preferences, making each listening session feel like a personalized DJ experience.
– Community Connection: A vibrant community where users can share their favorite songs, swap recommendations, and build meaningful connections through their mutual love for music.
– Mixtape Creation: Bringing back the charm of mixtapes, allowing users to create and share personalized playlists.
– AI-Powered Prompts: Quick filtering of music by genre, artist, or mood, helping users discover new tunes effortlessly.
– Mood Tags: Tailor-made tags for every mood or activity, turning them into perfect soundtracks for any moment.
Problems We Solve
We address several key issues in the current music streaming landscape:
– Generic Playlists: We move away from impersonal, algorithm-generated playlists to offer a more tailored and meaningful music discovery experience.
– Lack of Community: Unlike many platforms, we foster a sense of community and connection among music enthusiasts, recreating the social experience of record stores.
– Subscription Hassles: Our platform is designed to be accessible without burdensome subscriptions, making music discovery simple and enjoyable for everyone.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets VNYL apart is our unique blend of nostalgia and modern technology. We revive the essence of vinyl discovery while leveraging AI to enhance the user experience. Our focus on community, personalization, and the joy of music discovery makes us stand out in a crowded market.
What Are We Most Proud Of?
We are incredibly proud of our ability to create a platform that resonates with seasoned music trendsetters and new explorers. Our community-driven approach has fostered a loyal and passionate user base. The feedback we receive from our users about how VNYL has reignited their love for music and brought them closer to a global community of like-minded enthusiasts is something we cherish deeply.
Key Messages for Our Audience
– Authenticity: VNYL offers an authentic music discovery experience that blends nostalgia with modern convenience.
– Community: Join a vibrant community of music lovers who share your passion and enthusiasm for discovering new tunes.
Personalization: Enjoy a music journey tailored to your unique tastes, free from the constraints of generic playlists and subscriptions.
– Innovation with a Heart: Experience the magic of generative AI and smart features that make music discovery feel personal and exciting.
At VNYL, we are more than just a music streaming service. We are a movement to bring back the soul of music discovery, creating a space where every song is a new adventure, and every user is part of a global family of music lovers. Join us on this exciting journey and rediscover the joy of music with VNYL.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for VNYL has been our vibrant and engaged community of music enthusiasts. Word-of-mouth recommendations and organic sharing among users have played a crucial role in our growth. Our platform’s unique blend of nostalgia and modern technology creates a compelling and authentic experience that resonates deeply with our audience. As a result, satisfied users often invite their friends and family to join, fostering a natural and enthusiastic expansion of our user base. Additionally, our active presence on social media and collaborations with influential music bloggers and industry influencers have significantly amplified our reach, bringing in a steady stream of new clients who are eager to explore the unique musical journey that VNYL offers.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One significant pivot for VNYL came when we decided to merge our digital music experience with a physical location, creating “THE VNYL BAR.” This concept emerged from our desire to deepen the sense of community and nostalgia that our app fosters.
The idea was born out of the challenging times during the COVID-19 pandemic. As our users craved more tangible and social experiences, we recognized an opportunity to develop a physical space where people could gather, share, and enjoy music together—just like in the days of classic record stores and bars.
Although THE VNYL BAR is still under development, it aims to combine the charm of a retro record store with the vibrant atmosphere of a modern bar. Visitors will be able to browse vinyl records, enjoy live music, and use our app to discover new tunes, all while socializing in a cozy, music-centric environment.
This pivot represents a major shift for us, transitioning from a purely digital platform to incorporating a physical venue. The anticipation and excitement from our community have been overwhelming, and we are confident that THE VNYL BAR will become a beloved spot for music lovers once it opens.
This development highlights our commitment to innovation and our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of our users. By merging the digital with the physical, we aim to create a unique and immersive experience that continues to set VNYL apart in the music industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vnyl.app
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vnyl.app/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vnylapp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyburrus/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/VnylApp
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tonyburrus?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
