COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the dating scene, making it a lot more challenging for singles to mingle during these times of quarantine and social distancing. Vinylly is a unique dating app that is different from anything else out there—not only does it pair potential matches based on their music compatibility, but it also provides livestream concerts that enable singles to go on virtual dates together.

“I was inspired to create Vinylly because as a lifelong music fan, I know how powerful music is connecting people,”  says Rachel van Nortwick, Founder and CEO of Vinylly. “I developed Vinylly after watching friends and family struggle with existing dating apps that only gave way to meaningless connections. I saw the opportunity to create an app that is centered around music compatibility. I knew immediately that with Vinylly, I wanted it to leverage music data and combine it with a really great user experience.”

The Power of Music During Social Distancing

Here’s how it works: Vinylly begins with users pairing their Spotify accounts with their profile, and as they stream more music, the algorithm responds and Vinylly produces new matches. Users can even listen to their matches’ recent songs and playlists, which allows them to discover new music as well. Bios also showcase a variety of music-related fields—ranging from past music purchases to concert habits. 

“Connections made through music can be very meaningful, especially if music plays a big role in someone’s life,” shares van Nortwick. “For some people, the music they listen to is an extension of their identity, and has shaped them through good and bad times in their life. For others, they may just want to know they always have someone willing to go see a band when they come into town and may not have always had that in a partner. Both scenarios are common and Vinylly lets the user dictate the role they want music to play in making their connections.”

Vinylly also provides access in the chat function to suggest live-streaming concerts for its users to attend, as well as live concerts when they return. Connected users have a variety of custom-tailored, music-inspired date ideas to stream—adding safe and socially distant options to the current dating scene. Aside from user’s musical tastes, Vinylly also finds potential matches based on proximity and other dating categories.

Vinylly is also proud to be supporting Musicians on Call (MOC) as their official non-profit partner. MOC brings live and recorded music to patients, family members, and staff in hospitals nationwide. As many people experience uncertainty and isolation during this global pandemic, the healing power of music is more critical now than ever. Thanks to its virtual programs, MOC is currently one of the few charities that is still able to provide programs directly to patients and caregivers in hospitals.

“Studies have shown that when we listen to music, our brains release dopamine, which in turn makes us happy,” adds van Nortwick. “For many, that enjoyment is heightened by sharing it with someone else. During the pandemic, many are feeling isolated and/or anxious. Music can help with either or both of those emotions. Some people may gravitate towards listening to nostalgic music, or some people might prefer to break up the monotony by discovering new music. With either, it's comforting to know there are other people dealing with and feeling the same way looking for these connections through music.”

Vinylly is free to download and find matches, and if you decide you want to chat, it costs .99/month for unlimited chatting. You can download the app in the US and Canadian Apple AppStores here. For more information, visit vinyllyapp.com and follow them on Instagram: @vinyllyapp

[Images courtesy of Vinylly]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk