8 Ways to Discover New Music ...

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The internet is overflowing with music blogs from all over the world. You can find many that offer free, legal daily downloads. No matter what your favorite genre is you can find someone, somewhere that has made it their mission to bring you the latest hit makers.

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Websites like swap-bot.com or online music groups like Yahoo’s The Mix Fix can be great resources for new music. Depending on the swap partner you’ve been assigned you’re able to get your hands on music that hasn’t made it big in your area yet, isn’t something you’d normally listen to, or is a great underground track you haven’t heard. If joining a group sounds like too much work, rifle through your friend’s CD collection. She’s bound to have something that is new to you!

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Lala, Pandora or my personal favorite, Lastfm are great resources for new music. Pandora.com lets you vote on music you hear until it builds a special station tailored exactly to your likings. Lala.com provides a wide array of music that is reasonably priced at 10 cents for streaming or 89 cents to buy as an MP3. You can also upload your entire music library and then stream it from any computer. Lastfm.com pays close attention to what songs you listen to and how often then makes suggestions for you. Exclusive downloads are also available.

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I have a friend that works at a local radio station and she would kill me if she knew I told you this, but if you have access to a satellite radio, take advantage of it. It seems like those crazy kids over at satellite radio get to do whatever they want – that includes playing whatever tickles their fancy. I’ve heard music so new the band doesn’t even have it on their MySpace yet!

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Every now and then you’ll see a relatively well known music act on tour opening for a headliner. Most of the time however the opener is a small band that you’ve never heard of. Usually it’s an artist so new that they’ve only just put out an album and you get to preview their entire catalogue before buying it.

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Music festivals are similar in concerts in that they’re the same thing, but on a much larger scale. For the price of one ticket that maybe you had to splurge on just a little, you have the opportunity to see more than 100 acts. Day long festivals like Lollapalooza, Coachella and SXSW (South by South West) are the perfect opportunity to hear music from people that in some instances haven’t even made a CD yet.

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I was born in the 1980's right along with the concept of the new and improved movie soundtrack – thanks to Mr. John Hughes. Through the 90’s and the 00’s it’s been perfectly and parlayed into television. If I went through my iPod right now I can pick out 25 songs I’ve heard on Grey’s Anatomy. Check out the movie or the show’s website and get a playlist of what was featured. There are even great new songs on TV commercials, not just shows...

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Unless you live under a rock or a really really small town, you have a music scene. There are people old and young with guitars, drums and pianos all trying to pursue a dream. You might have to sit through a few of off key sets but every now and then you’ll find someone amazing for the price of bar cover. Remember that before Coldplay, Lady GaGa and Taylor Swift were selling out stadiums they were small local acts somewhere.

If you follow these tips your iPod will be full in no time. Are there any places you like to frequent for new and different tunes? How do you discover new music? Do ou have any fave new songs to share?

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