Songpull.com announces improvements to site, including the creation of six new top-ten charts and the options to comment and vote on videos.

Songpull.com, the premier online songwriter’s community, announced recently several key new features designed to encourage interactivity on the site including new voting and notification options.

Posted videos, and their ability to let intimate performances travel from living room gatherings to personal computers thousands of miles away, have always been the heart of Songpull. Viewers have had the option of unlimited plays but, until recently, not much else. Now signing up for a free Songpull account allows visitors to rate the songs from 1 to 5 as well as leave comments and/or constructive criticism for their favorite “Pullers.”

In addition, Pullers are notified when a comment has been left on their song. And favorite performances can now be shared with friends and family via a “Share This Video” link at the bottom of each video posted.

Top-ten charts on the homepage, which previously only counted views, have been given a much-needed overhaul and now include “Top 30-Day Songs,” “Recently Commented,” Top Encores,” “Hottest Videos,” “Most Popular,” and “Top Outtakes.”

Songpull began in 2006 as a way for musicians to keep their songwriting talents alive while spurring each other on to improve their craft. Drawing on the tradition of guitar pulls, a country music tradition where friends gather to trade performances of cherished songs, Songpull focuses instead on original material with an emphasis on works in progress. Performers are encouraged to only play songs written during the previous month and those that fit this criteria get stamped with an official 30-day Song seal.

The first Songpull took place in the Springfield, Missouri home of Dan Fritz. He and his tight-knit circle of musician friends performing that night had done everything from an opening tour with the Goo Goo Dolls, to having their band’s video featured on MTV, to releasing records on major labels. But as band life gave way to real life, it was becoming increasingly hard to find reasons to write and perform new and original songs. Instead the favorite pastime had turned into sharing beers, old songs and stories in Fritz’s living room.

Though never intended to become a business, the participants found the experience of the first Songpull to be so invigorating they began meeting monthly, filming the event each time and putting clips up on a blog they created to document the special nights. The blog soon evolved into a Website where others could find inspiration in what the Springfield Pullers were doing, as well as tips and tools to create their own Songpulls. There are currently 16 groups in 13 cities from Los Angeles to Manchester, New Hampshire.

As a decidedly grass-roots idea, Songpull’s future is largely in the hands of the songwriters, directors and viewers participating in the experience. As that community grows, Songpull.com will change to meet its developing needs. For now, plans are underway for more improvements and new cites are being added to the Songpull map every month. To learn more about the Songpull movement, visit songpull.com.

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Media contact:
Jason Gaylor
www.songpull.com