NervEight, a new music streaming app, wants to bridge the music and tech scenes

Torian Johnson sees lots similarities between tech startups and indie music acts.

The Baltimore resident is in a unique place to know. He’s the cofounder of an app that looks to help musicians gain exposure. He’s just as likely to have a meeting about building a brand as a conversation about how to build a band.
NervEight is a music streaming app with a built-in feedback system that allows listeners to “like” and critique the music they hear. Musicians submit songs to get their work in front of a knowledgable audience that seeks out new music. In turn, the listeners get to weigh in.
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The more likes, the more the artists get featured more frequently on the streaming service. Developers are also working on custom playlists and the “NervEight Score,” which puts a value on the level of exposure the artist has gained through the app.
Johnson, who works in D.C. by day for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said NervEight is also looking to add a way to get money to the artists.
“As they listen to the music, then we would like to provide the option for users to provide a tip for the artists,” he said, adding that the tips will likely come in the form of Bitcoins.
With live music being such a big part of a band’s success — especially in the early days — Johnson isn’t only looking to build community online. NervEight also puts on live shows. The company is organizing one this Saturday (March 28) at the Patterson Theater (3134 Eastern Ave.) in Highlandtown. The show is set to feature 11 artists, including Baltimore emcees like Starrz, Greenspan and Rakeem Miles, as well as D.C.-based “acoustic pop soul” artist Cecily.
Along with music devotees, Johnson said he’s also encouraging the local tech community to come out, and is also offering up the chance to table. Beyond similarities, Johnson sees the two groups sharing the room at a NervEight show.
“If you put them both in the same environment, then they could come together and share the same audience, because that audience is early adopters,” he said.