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SXSW 2007: Pete Townshend Unveils "The Method"

With a large audience at hand for his keynote address at the South by Southwest music conference, Who guitarist Pete Townshend took the opportunity to unveil a new music website called the Method—based on a computer program originally envisioned for his band's Who's Next album. The website will allow users to inspire customized music by entering personal data (i.e. moods and emotions, not Social Security numbers).

The Method software will produce a one-of-a-kind song, and the user will hold a third of the copyright. The results, naturally, will be hit-or-miss. "It may sound terrible or it may sound beautiful," Townshend said. "This is an authentic portrait."

Townshend hopes to eventually play select Method songs in a live setting. He already used the software to create "Fragments," the leadoff track on The Who's Endless Wire, released last year.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
03.15.07