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ORE.FM - Mobile music player for hyper-local underground metal bands - case study
- Authors
- Name
- ByteGeometry
- @ByteGeometry
ORE.FM - Mobile app for underground metal bands | Case study
Context
ORE.FM is a mobile-first music discovery app that reimagines how fans find and interact with new music. The idea was to blend two familiar patterns - music streaming and swipe-based interaction - into one unified experience. Think fast discovery, visual engagement, and artist connection all in one place.
The product targets two user types: fans and bands. Fans swipe through songs like they would swipe through profiles on dating apps. Bands upload music, create profiles, and build a following. The goal is to level the playing field for smaller, independent artists while giving listeners a fresh, playful way to explore.
The challenge was building a complete product with real depth - song uploads, moderation, user roles, payment flows, music playback, discovery feeds, admin tools, and referral systems - inside an app scope. The app had to feel polished and intuitive, but also handle complex backend logic and scale for growth.
There was no room for fluff. We had to move fast, build a modular architecture, and make tough prioritization calls. Everything from swipe gestures to premium feature logic had to be designed with real users in mind, not just technical feasibility. ORE isn’t just a music app - it’s a user engagement machine built around interaction and discovery.
Solution
We tackled ORE by splitting the development into clear, focused milestones - each one delivering core functionality that could be tested and validated fast. The foundation was a mobile app built with React Native for fast iteration and cross-platform support, backed by a Python/FastAPI backend and a Next.js-based admin dashboard.
We kicked off the project with a full mobile app design phase in Figma. This allowed us to map out the entire user journey - from onboarding to song discovery - and make sure every screen, component, and interaction matched the clean, modern aesthetic the product aimed for. Early design approval also helped align development priorities and reduce scope creep.
Once the design was locked, we moved into development, starting with authentication and profile creation flows. Fans could register and create a single Band profile, upload songs, and manage their band details. The upload process was designed with simplicity in mind - supporting MP3s, cover art, embedded videos, and social links. A basic moderation flow was implemented to ensure quality control.
Next, we built Discovery Mode - the core user experience. Fans swipe left to skip, right to favorite, and up to view a band's profile. Songs autoplay from a selected starting point, and the media player supports seamless transitions. We kept interactions fast and responsive, avoiding any delays between swipes or tracks.
To make discovery more relevant, we added a proximity-based feed that prioritizes songs from nearby artists. Manual location entry is available for premium users, and a fallback ensures fans always have music to discover. Users can also search by song, artist, or album and share direct links to tracks or profiles.
In the final milestone, we added payments and growth mechanics. Stripe powers both subscriptions and microtransactions, while a credit system allows fans to unlock skips and uploads. Referrals grant credits, and early users receive premium access and account badging. Admins have full control over content, users, and in-app messaging through a custom web dashboard.
We also delivered a custom admin panel built with Next.js. SuperAdmins can review and moderate user-generated content, approve or reject songs, manage accounts, edit app-wide messaging, and oversee platform activity. This panel acts as the operational hub - designed for simplicity, speed, and full visibility across the platform.
All features were scoped, built, and delivered in three structured phases - each ending with a working release and clear validation. The result is a production-ready APP that balances usability, performance, and future scalability.
Technology and Tools
To move fast without compromising quality, we selected a modern, well-aligned stack across mobile, backend, and admin systems.
For the mobile app, we used React Native. It gave us the flexibility to deliver a polished cross-platform experience while speeding up development through shared logic and a unified codebase. Animations and gesture-based swiping were handled with libraries like React Native Reanimated and Gesture Handler to ensure smooth, native-like transitions.
The backend was built with Python and FastAPI - a lightweight, async-friendly framework that let us ship clean APIs quickly while keeping things modular and scalable. We paired this with PostgreSQL for structured relational data and strong querying capabilities, especially useful for user roles, uploads, and location-based filtering.
On the admin side, we built a web dashboard using React and Next.js, allowing us to move fast with SSR support, easy routing, and excellent integration with form libraries and tables. This admin panel was designed for usability and minimalism - focused on moderation, account management, and content visibility.
We hosted the full stack on Google Cloud, taking advantage of its reliability and flexibility. Media files (songs, images, artwork) were uploaded and stored securely, with file size limits and validations built into the app flow.
For payments and monetization, we integrated Stripe - supporting subscriptions, microtransactions, and credit-based logic. The system was built to be extendable, allowing easy upgrades or feature gating down the line.
The tech choices balanced performance, developer velocity, and maintainability. Every part of the system - from swipe mechanics to song moderation—was built on tools that helped us ship reliably without overengineering.
Results
ORE.FM - The final product is a full-featured APP that delivers on both user experience and business goals. Fans can discover music through an intuitive, swipe-based interface that feels fast, personal, and fun. Bands can upload and manage their songs, build out detailed profiles, and get discovered by nearby listeners - all from day one.
The app supports real user flows end-to-end: onboarding, music playback, profile management, and discovery are all in place and production-ready. Songs load quickly, swipes feel native, and location-aware feeds make the experience feel alive and local. Favorites and search features round out the music discovery loop.
From a business standpoint, monetization was built in from the start. Stripe handles both subscriptions and microtransactions, with premium features gated cleanly behind a credit-based system. Referrals and launch offers help drive early adoption and create incentives for viral growth.
The admin dashboard gave the client full control over moderation, messaging, and user management - reducing dependency on developers post-launch. Content review, approvals, and system-wide changes can all be handled without touching the codebase.
This launch-ready version of ORE gives the product team a solid foundation to test in-market, gather feedback, and scale features with confidence. All core flows are live, the architecture is modular, and the entire system is built to grow.