Inspiration
As a group of students living and studying in Melbourne, a city known for its multiculturalism and vibrant artistic expression, we find ourselves deeply inspired by the dynamic energy of street artists who tirelessly strive to connect with audiences. Motivated by their hustle and bustle, we are driven to propose a solution that can uncover hidden musical talents within our local community. Recognizing the hunger for recogintion among emerging artists and their desire to reach broader audiences, we are committed to providing a stage where these talents can flourish. Our goal is to build a space where artists shine bright and audiences not only support their favourites but also discover hidden gems along the way.
What it does
Our app offers a comprehensive array of features designed to immerse users in a world of music and community interaction. With streaming capabilities users can effortlessly access their favourite content of art anytime, anywhere. Our platform also serves as a hub for artists to host live events, promote events and sell tickets.
To support local artists in expanding their audience reach, we offer our Explore feature. By simply going to our Explore tab, user can get access to an interactive map marked with ongoing livestreams and events, connecting them with live music. What sets our map apart is its unique visualization, events with higher viewers are represented by larger dots, making it easy for user to identify popular happenings.
Moreover, Troubadour provide valuable data analysis for both artists and audiences. By understanding the number of views, likes, comments,.. our app supports users to discover top trending songs. For artists, they benefit from our user-friendly data visualizations, providing them with comprehensive insights into the performance of their songs.
We also support extra features for audience to engage easily with alike songs and artists by introducing history and searching features. And a great bonus, all these features are accessed from not only the web, but also your mobile.
How We Built Troubadour
Frontend Development:
- Used Next.js for building the frontend of Troubadour.
- Leveraged the Expo framework for developing mobile applications to ensure cross-platform compatibility.
- Designed a user-friendly interface with interactive features using React components and styled-components.
Backend Development:
- Utilized Convex as the backend framework for handling server-side logic and database operations.
- Implemented endpoints to manage user data, music content, events, and interactions.
- Integrated real-time features for live event streaming and comment functionalities.
Streaming Services:
- Integrated Mux for streaming capabilities, enabling seamless access to live music events and performances.
- Configured Mux to deliver high-quality video and audio content with low latency for an immersive user experience.
User Authentication:
- Implemented Clerk for user authentication and session management.
- Enabled users to sign up, log in securely, and manage their profiles and preferences.
Payment Gateway:
- Integrated Stripe for handling payments, enabling users to purchase event tickets, merchandise, or support artists through donations.
- Implemented secure payment processing for transactions using credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment methods.
Deployment and Hosting:
- Deployed Troubadour on Vercel for reliable hosting and scalability.
- Utilized Vercel's built-in CI/CD pipelines for seamless deployment and updates.
- Ensured high performance and availability for users accessing the platform from various devices and locations. ### Challenges Faced
Time Constraints:
- Completing all core features within a limited timeframe was challenging, impacting thorough testing and feature integration.
Integration Complexity:
- Coordinating multiple technologies simultaneously posed challenges in seamless integration and functionality.
New Technology Adoption:
- Incorporating new tools like Convex for backend development required overcoming learning curves and adapting quickly to unfamiliar technology.
Accomplishments We're Proud Of
Feature-rich Platform Delivery:
- Successfully developing and delivering Troubadour as a comprehensive platform with streaming capabilities, live event hosting, and data analysis tools.
User-Centric Design:
- Designing an intuitive and engaging user interface that caters to the needs of both artists and audiences, enhancing the overall user experience.
Community Engagement:
- Fostering a supportive community of artists and music enthusiasts through interactive features like live event maps, chat functionalities, and user engagement tools.
Technology Integration:
- Effectively integrating a variety of third-party services and technologies, such as Mux for streaming, Clerk for authentication, and Stripe for payments, to enhance platform functionality.
Adaptable Development Approach:
- Successfully navigating challenges such as time constraints and learning curves through adaptive problem-solving and efficient project management strategies.
Positive User Feedback:
- Receiving positive feedback from users and stakeholders, indicating satisfaction with the platform's features, performance, and overall experience.
Contributing to Local Music Scene:
- Providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents and connect with a broader audience, contributing to the vibrancy of the local music scene in Melbourne.
Lessons Learned
Time Management:
- Prioritizing tasks and allocating sufficient time for each development phase is crucial to meeting project deadlines effectively.
Adaptability to New Technologies:
- Embracing new technologies requires proactive learning and experimentation to overcome initial challenges and integrate them seamlessly into the project.
Collaborative Problem-Solving:
- Working as a team to address challenges fosters creative solutions and enhances overall project efficiency.
User-Centric Design:
- Understanding user needs and preferences is essential for designing intuitive interfaces and delivering a satisfying user experience.
Continuous Improvement:
- Regular feedback loops and iterative development cycles contribute to ongoing refinement and enhancement of the application's features and performance.
Effective Communication:
- Clear and open communication among team members facilitates smoother collaboration and ensures alignment towards common project goals.
Resilience in Adversity:
- Facing setbacks and obstacles during development cultivates resilience and determination to persevere towards project success.
What's next for Troubadour
In the future, Troubadour will be implemented with an additional feature to enhance user experience and further connect audiences with artists. To achieve that, we will develop algorithms to match users with their desire artists based on their preferences and listening history.
Moreover, recognizing the importance of fostering a positve and supportive community, it is essential for Troubadour to have auto-filtering mechanisms for toxic comments within streaming feature. This feature ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for both artists and audiences to engage with each other.
Another feature that we are planning to implement is creating group chat for both users and audiences. This will enable users to engage in conversations with fellow fans and artists, fostering a sense of community within the platform.
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