The Story Behind The App; Episode 1; Bradley Gunn

For the opening 5 months of 2023, Antix have been slowly moving into a slightly different direction within the business. We started the year regenerating and upgrading our events packages and equipment, and now we have a fully functional smartphone app, and accompanying radio station. We’d like to thank those individuals who have spent their time and efforts on working on our big new project.

One of those individuals who has been within the core team is Bradley Gunn. Not only a very talented software developer, but you may also remember him from his Bradley Gunn Raver days, where he became a global star within the dance music world, travelling the world, with his videos going viral.

Frazer Mitchell caught up with Brad just after the app has been uploaded to the stores.

Frazer; Hi Brad. Thanks a lot for doing this interview, and a huge thank you for all the work you have put into the Antix App and radio. It is looking incredible and I’m so pleased with the outcome.

Brad; It’s been a pleasure, I have loved watching the growth of Antix and being able to be part of the journey.

Frazer; if you don’t mind, can you tell us a bit more about your Bradley Gunn Raver days, for those who don’t know?

Brad; Sure, in 2015 I was attending raves/festivals in Bristol and surrounding areas, I would turn up and dance sober all day, this then turned into me putting videos of me on social media. A few years down the line I’m travelling all over, going to festivals and raves every weekend, from dancing here in the UK to Miami, New York, Vietnam, and all over Europe. I partnered with promoters, DJs, and music media agencies. Bradley Gunn Raver was a global persona that represented healthy sober raving.

Frazer; So when I had the idea for an Antix App several years ago, I always knew it would be you doing it. For those who don’t know, Brad and I went to college together, and I always remembered how much of a talented software developer you were, and with your interest and involvement in music, I felt like you would do the project justice, which you absolutely have. Tell us a bit about your input into the app; did it help having knowledge of the music industry to create this app?

Brad; I have had the entire oversight and accountability over the development of the App. Gathering requirements, planning and designing a tech spec, managing the content management setup, developing the app code and handling the distribution on the app stores. All with offering cost effective development whilst ensuring a high quality, robust app that is simple for people to use, easy for the Antix team to manage and represents Antix Music Network to the fullest.

I would say my knowledge of the music industry helped in two ways of thinking:
•    The management perspective, people who work in the music industry are incredibly busy people, especially Frazer with the running of Antix. Providing a simple, easy to use content management system was essential.
•    The user perspective, understanding how people look for content in music industry related applications.

Frazer; I’d like to talk about the launch of the app. So, Google Play was up and running a few days before Apple, but the app was already at #12 on the Paid Music App Chart before any promotion. We soon made it to #1, and then #37 on the All Paid Apps Chart. As the developer of the app, you must be pleased with this?

Brad; I am massively pleased with this, it’s always amazing to see something you have been making over the previous few months spring to life and get so much adoption early on. I definitely had a big rush of excitement as we were closing in on #1. Clearly this shows that the community around Antix Music Network is strong which is great to see.

Frazer; One of the big discussions over the course of producing this app is whether we should charge for the app or not. It’s also been the most talked about part of the app within the community. Is there anything you want to say in regards to the £2.99 download fee?

Brad; The first thing to consider is do you want to be part of an exclusive local music community. Whilst there are many free apps out there that may not have performed as well if they were paid apps, many of those free apps are targeting a global audience and have massive investment behind them (i.e., Spotify or SoundCloud) which prioritise tracking user data over paid access. You may also find that many free apps restrict people into not being able to use many of the features as they have in-app purchases or ongoing monthly subscriptions. I personally am starting to get annoyed when asked to subscribe to yet another monthly subscription.

I would say that if Antix Music Network app was trying to target a global audience from the get go, maybe another strategy would be in order. However, I see the Antix Music Network app as a special case, it is serving a local community and promoting local talent and events which may lead to wider range of opportunities. It is fair to say that a £2.99 price point may raise some eyebrows however this is less than a high street coffee. The Antix Music Network app will grow and have more features over time, be part of that exclusive club and support the community.

Frazer; You’re not raving much these days, but I do see you at a few gigs here and there. Will we ever see a return of the Bradley Gunn Raver?

Brad; I am so busy with all of my software engineering projects these days, but every now and again I do venture out to have a dance. However, going out as a social media influencer raver is not on my agenda anymore.

Frazer; I just want to end this by saying a huge thank you for your efforts, I’m really pleased with the end product, and you should be too. It’s been a pleasure working with you!

Brad; Thank you, I would also like to thank you for giving me the opportunity. I have loved working with you and developing the app was great fun. I am very proud of what we have produced.