Daniel Johnston's Pretty Awesome iPhone Game, Plus Other Artist Apps You Should Know

Apple and music have been inextricably linked since the turn of the millennium. First, iTunes, for better or worse, revolutionized how music is downloaded. Now, the iPhone's app store is again affecting the way fans consume music, as more and more artists release their own apps (see below).

Or their own games.

Iconoclastic artist Daniel Johnston has done just that, releasing a game called Hi, How Are You. The game is visually arresting and childlike, embodying Johnston's spirit, which is mildly surprising when one considers that Johnston doesn't have an iPhone. Or even a regular phone. In fact, the game was designed by Peter Franco, an Austin-based developer.

"We wrapped the game around his whole story of a man going through life trying to find his true love but constantly having to contend with evil and with Satan, which are probably the demons within himself," Franco told the New York Times. Sounds serious, but the game is a colorful, joyful whirl. Using the iPhone's tilt sensor, the user guides the protagonist through a fantastical world strewn with demons and other sinister beings best avoided. Johnston's voice and music provides the soundtrack. Here's the trailer:

What other artist-centric iPhone-ready apps are worth your time? Glad you asked.

WILCO

Wilco's iPhone app, called, naturally, Wilco (The App), is a treasure trove for fans. In addition to news and dates, Wilco's app offers streaming of every Wilco song recorded, plus podcasts featuring live performances and guest DJ spots from band members. Want to know what keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen's favorite song from Sky Blue Sky is? Listen to his DJ set. (It's "You Are My Face," btw) Also contributing a DJ slot is Wilco's resident avant guitarist Nels Cline, whose playlist must surely be intriguing. Free. [iTunes]

THE DEAD

The Dead's app may cost $2.99, biggish money in app-land, and it may officially be an app dedicated to a tour—The Dead's 2009 reunion tour—that's already over, but the content here is superb. Users can stream every show from the tour, and even take individual songs and create their own fantasy show. Combine this with photos from longtime Dead photog Jay Blakesberg, videos from Justin Kreutzmann (yes, drummer Billy's son), as well as musings and observations from the band members themselves, and three bucks suddenly seems like a bargain. [iTunes]

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND

In the world of Dave Matthews, it's all about being connected. DMB's official app provides the standard Twitter feed (Under The Table And Tweeting?) found in most artist apps, but also provides a chat room for fans, as well as a 'fan map' that allows users to find and locate other fans. [iTunes]

ALICE IN CHAINS

The Alice In Chains app is fairly standard: news, streaming videos, links to the band's web store are all here. But did you ever think that Alice In Chains would be back, much less have an iPhone app? Cool feature: 'Interactive tracks,' which include visuals that are presumably mind-blowing. [iTunes]

LADY GAGA

Are Lady Gaga's fans ravenous enough to actively use her app? From the 3000+ reviews in the App Store, the answer would seem to be yes. The Haus Of Gaga has everything you'd expect, but watch yourself in those chat rooms; word is that unsavory types looking for action are poking around. C'mon, guys—it's not THAT (somewhat NSFW) kind of app. [iTunes]