Music on the move: Beat Farm creates a new soundtrack for extreme sports
Beat Farm's creation, the Jalapeño, generates music that matches an athlete's movements
For snowboarders, skateboarders and other extreme sports enthusiasts, music goes hand in hand with riding down a mountain or performing tricks in the park.
But while a steady stream of iPod-produced tunes might be a constant companion for many athletes, never before has music actually been produced from snowboards, skis and skateboards themselves - or influenced by changes in the rider’s movements.
“The original idea revolved around how we could create a device that actually composes and mixes music for people as they ride,” says Ben Harmer, business lead for Beat Farm. “One of the things we started to pick up on when talking with snowboarders, skiers and skateboarders was that they all have a certain creativity and are ‘in the zone’ when they perform their sport. Musicians are similar, so we decided to link music and sports and try to put them together.”
“We looked at what was out there in the marketplace, what was possible from a technological perspective and how we could design a product that would not only survive in harsh conditions but also looked cool,” adds Kenneth Liew, Beat Farm’s head designer.