By TYLER ROSS
I get asked a lot where I find much of the music I listen to and write about. Many have difficulty finding music catered to their interests in the ever-growing network of blogs and publications that cover current musical trends. However, finding music is much easier now than it ever has been. If one can whittle through the confusing array of sites and programs delivering new music, there exists a myriad of options for discovering new and intriguing music. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite resources for finding new music.
Spotify: In a world full of DRM-based music streaming services, Spotify reigns supreme. Already around for 3 years in Europe, Spotify launched its US service this past July and immediately took off as the most popular streaming service. All the critical acclaim is for good reason too: the service boasts over 12 million songs, all playable with no noticeable delay. And while Spotify boasts an impressive catalogue of songs, that’s still not the most attractive feature. Rather, Spotify brings a stellar social aspect into listening and finding music. Music is an inherently social endeavor; you might enjoy listening alone, but our music culture thrives on exchange. Spotify makes this exchange flawlessly easy: your friends, found either through Facebook or other mediums such as the myriad of Spotify playlist sites, are displayed on the right of the program. Users can share playlists, subscribe to users, or send messages along with songs. It’s incredibly easy to find your friend’s new favorite song and listen instantly.
User tip: Follow Scott Vener (@brokemogul), holder of the best job in the world: he selects the music for Entourage and other HBO series such as How To Make It In America.
Turntable.fm: Another recent music industry pop-up, Turntable.fm takes the idea of djing to a completely different level. After creating a profile, users are greeted with a list of rooms started by other users. These rooms generally have themes that can range anywhere from a band to a genre to some quirky rule, such as songs that have to do with the ocean. Each room has five DJ spots where users can step up and play music for the rest of the people in the room. Users can choose from Turntable’s large library or upload there own music to share. I’ve discovered a wealth of new music by jumping between rooms with genres I may not know much about. There’s nothing like queuing up a nostalgic track for a friend or seeing a room light up with excitement over the track you just put on.
User tip: If you’re using Google Chrome, make sure to download the Turntable.fm playlist extension to keep your Play Queue in order.
Blogs: Easily the most daunting method of discovering new music is through blogs or websites. There are a lot of them. They all cover different stuff. Try searching for a track you like, then start scanning through the blogs that have linked it. You’re sure to find something else you might like. Some of my favorites include Glide Magazine’s Hidden Track, Stereogum, and Consequence of Sound.
User tip: Hype Machine is a great way to find blogs that share the same musical interests as you.
