Finding New Music

I have friends ask me once in awhile "Where do you find all this music?" and Dustin even says on a regular basis "You're so good at finding new music". I feel like it's just a natural talent of mine. Some people can play instruments and others are just good at finding something new to listen to. I've always been the latter.

I grew up listening to everything from classic rock to pop to country. When I hit high school I moved to the punk rock variety. These days I still listen to everything but I've always gravitated more toward anything with a more rocking sound.

Listen Closely
Every time I'm watching a TV show or movie (or even a commercial) I'm listening closer than the average person. I've found tons of songs that I love by simply listening to the background music or checking out the soundtrack. Thankfully certain shows post a list of songs played in each episode on Twitter nowadays and for all the others there's always Google!

Also, I listen to the music played in stores when I'm out shopping. Most of the time stores play pretty awful music (I'm talking to you Forever 21!), but once in awhile I'll hear something I like and I'll make a note in my iPhone to check it out when I get home.

During high school aka the last time music was on MTV, I stumbled across a mini interview with Maria Mena. She was talking to some VJ on a NYC subway. I loved the interview and her music so much I remember going straight to Best Buy to pick up the CD she was promoting. She never made it big in the US but I've since bought every album she's ever put out (7 total). I'm so thankful for that little interview about an unknown artist from Norway because she turned into one of my all time favorites. 

Word of Mouth
I LOVE when friends/celebs/bloggers post music to various social media outlets. I've found so many new songs just by taking the time to listen to what they are listening to. Beau Bennett just tweeted this not too long ago. And so Dustin checked it out. I heard it playing across our living room and then I checked it out. Boom! New favorite song.

If a friend suggests I check out a musician that I've never heard of then I do. They know me well enough to know what I like and what I don't.

My cousin Hayley and I went on a trip to Vegas and L.A. when we were in high school. On that trip she introduced me to Something Corporate which made me a life long lover of Andrew McMahon. 

Dustin introduced me to Thrice from the minute we started dating and I've been a fan ever since.

My mom introduced forced me to listen to all the classics at an early age which I think should be a requirement for all children. I didn't appreciate at the time but I certainly do now. 

Wasting Time
There are so many Friday nights where I'm parked right in from of my computer just listening to music. I don't ever listen to music radio (more of a talk radio kind of gal) so I have no idea what is popular. I'll go on iTunes and browse through the Top 200 singles just to see if I like any of it.

Opening Acts
Typically one goes to shows for the headliner but more often than not I've been surprised to find out the opening bands are just as awesome. Now sometimes they just suck or it's totally not the style of music you're into but pay attention to those opening bands. I've found some good ones over the years.

Animals As Leaders opened for Thrice on their farewell tour and now Dustin loves them. 

Daphne Loves Derby, Melee, Cute Is What We Aim For, Company of Thieves, etc. were all bands I had never heard of until I saw them open for someone else. I now have music from all of them on my iTunes. 

The whole point of this post is don't let the radio be your only source for music. There's a ton of awesome music that has never been played on the radio or any music TV station. Music is everything to me. I listen to it while I type my blogs, while in the car, while I sew, while I workout, when I'm sad, when I'm happy, to transport me back in time - basically ALL THE TIME. I love my collection but I also love adding to it - popular artist or not. If you hear a song I might like, send it my way!