LocalSounds
// Mobile App for discovering artists based on location
A hyper-focused local music discovery platform connecting users directly with independent bands in their area via streamlined, location-aware navigation and external streaming links (Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube).
DISCOVERY & RESEARCH PHASE
Dual Profile Management (User vs. Artist)
Instead of building two separate applications, any standard registered user can apply to convert their account into an Artist Profile. To maintain content quality on the MVP, artist profiles undergo a lightweight moderation/validation process before being listed publicly.
Value Proposition Alignment
Major platforms prioritize algorithm-driven mainstream hits, hiding local talent. LocalSounds fills this gap by leveraging location-based discovery to foster community engagement and real-world event support.
Frictionless Streaming (Aggregator Model)
Rather than hosting large audio files directly, the app acts as a smart gateway, directing listeners to external platform links (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp) to minimize infrastructure complexity during launch.
Over-Complexity & Cognitive Overload
Applications like Tidal and Bandcamp feature complex navigation structures and heavy interface clutter. LocalSounds must prioritize minimalist UI layout and direct navigation loops.
Content Personalization
Leading apps excel when providing activity-based recommendations. LocalSounds will pair location tracking with explicit user preferences upon onboarding.
Rapid Action Accessibility
Key actions such as 'Add to Favorites' and 'Share to Socials' must be visible at a single tap without nested menus.
Lack of Hyper-Local Focus
Global streaming services neglect venue connections, independent gig promotion, and location-based discovery.
PROBLEM FRAMING & PRODUCT KPIS
“Existing music streaming and discovery applications focus heavily on global hits, mainstream releases, and algorithm-driven playlists. They fail to emphasize local, emerging artists and lack hyper-local discovery features, preventing music enthusiasts from connecting with their nearby live music scene and event organizers.”
> 35% of active users click an external streaming link (Spotify/YouTube) or bookmark an artist within a session.
> 80% of artist profile applications submitted with zero moderation flags within 24 hours.
> 50% of active users enable location permissions to view artists within a 10km radius.
PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT (PRD)
| REQ ID | FEATURE AREA | FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION | PRIORITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR-01 | Authentication | User signup/login via email or OAuth, including location opt-in prompt. | MVP (P0) |
| FR-02 | Location Discovery | Automatically fetch and filter local bands based on current GPS location or selected city. | MVP (P0) |
| FR-03 | Artist Profile & Links | Display bio, profile/cover photos, location, social media links, and direct song/album redirect links. | MVP (P0) |
| FR-04 | Artist Submission Flow | Registered users can submit an artist registration form for team moderation/approval. | MVP (P0) |
| FR-05 | Search & Filters | Search bar supporting queries by artist name, location radius, and genre tags. | MVP (P0) |
| FR-06 | Favorites & Sharing | One-tap button to save artists to personal library or share deep links on social platforms. | MVP (P0) |
| FR-07 | Promoted Listings | Sponsored artist banner placement at top of feed and search results (Monetization). | Phase 2 (P1) |
| FR-08 | Local Gig Radar | Integrate local venue calendars showcasing upcoming live shows for listed artists. | Phase 2 (P1) |
| FR-09 | Gamification | Include weekly and monthly challenges to increase artists discovery activity. | Phase 3 (P3) |
PRODUCT ROADMAP & PHASING
Discovery Core
- →Onboarding & Location Permission Flow
- →Home Feed: 'Near You' GPS Recommendations & Genre Filtering
- →Artist Profile Pages with External Streaming Redirect Links
- →Lightweight Artist Application & Moderation Panel
- →One-Tap Favorites & Social Media Sharing Integration
Community and Gigs
- →Local Venues & Upcoming Gig Directory Integration
- →Push Notifications: 'An artist in your favorites is playing near you'
- →User-curated Local Playlists
Monetization and Gamification
- →Promoted Artist Placements
- →Local Sponsor & Venue In-App Display Ads
- →Weekly and Monthly challenges about discovering new artists
PROTOTYPES, WIREFRAMES, MOCKS & USER FLOWS
Sitemap
Prototype showing the interactive map feature and adding artist to favorites.
KEY TAKEAWAYS & LESSONS LEARNED
Bridge Strategy and Code: Framing the client interaction through a structured discovery process demonstrates strong end-to-end product thinking, showing how technical front-end constraints shape product decisions.
Prioritize UX Over Feature Creep: Outsourcing music playback via external links allowed the platform to focus entirely on its core competitive edge: location discovery and local scene visibility.