930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: palahniukkubrick on April 18, 2006, 09:07:00 pm
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The topic speaks for itself. At the risk of sounding stupid, I must say that find myself unable to keep up with some of you. It seems like everytime I learn of a new artist, at least one of you has seen them, bought their album, and is already sick of it. So I guess my question is this: How do you manage to get in and stay in the new music loop?
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everyone on here writes for rolling stone, didnt you know that...
i dont know how all the indie cats here know about bands,
but from a indie ug hip hop its mostly from other major acts...and their labels.
also
URB magazine is really good to keep folks in the loop.
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Pitchfork (web site)
The Tripwire (Daily E-Mail Blast)
Sirius (Sat. Radio)
Various Magazines
Bands that ask to be my friend on MySpace
Reading peoples DJ Set lists
...
to name a few...
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Originally posted by lbcardoni:
Bands that ask to be my friend on MySpace
seriously?????
i use allmusic.com sometimes, to find similar artists to bands i already like.
and then, the Pandora radio thing on the net is cool..
other than that, believe it or not, i use amazon.com...in a real weird nerdy way!!! lol.
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No, not seriously..
Amazon.com is a good one I forgot about and iTunes. Search some artists you like on either and check out the similar artists or browse people's iMixes
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It's a labor of love and takes lots of investigation and research on your part.
All of the ideas mentioned above and many, many more. The best thing is to start somewhere, anywhere, and branch out from there. Eventually, you'll find the places that suit your tastes and find your own niches.
For me, I've made lots of friends, including some of the musicians and label owners themselves, and found other resources over time which then snowball into others. Eventually you will stumble into some of the right places. By 'right', I mean right for your tastes, not necessarily everyone elses.
One thing that I suggest is that you play around with a variety of websites, magazines, radio stations, message boards, etc, and not limit yourself to only a small few. But again, this takes a labor of love only for those who are truly serious if your goal is to stay ahead of the game. Even then, don't be discouraged when you see that you've still missed out on not being the first in some group to find any said band. No one reins supreme in that regard.
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The Wire (http://www.thewire.co.uk)
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I buy whatever Rhett hates.
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Originally posted by Jaguar:
Even then, don't be discouraged when you see that you've still missed out on not being the first in some group to find any said band. No one reins supreme in that regard.
tell that to kurosawa.
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You'd run out of money very quickly. As Morrissey said, "There's too many people making music" (that shouldn't be).
Originally posted by kcjones119:
I buy whatever Rhett hates.
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I think KEXP is probably the best source for new music, period. Too bad my employer blocks their stream.
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Whatever's playing in the background at Hot Topic, I buy it.
<img src="http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~tlarson1/gothtalk.jpg" alt=" - " />
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www.woxy.com (http://www.woxy.com)
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Primarily this board, Pitchfork and a few blogs. When all of the above start talking about a band, I figure they're probably worth investigating further. And I pay pretty close attention to the 9:30/Black Cat schedules. I'll investigate the openers of bands I'm considering going to see. snailhook's Warehouse info posted here is a great resource.
I know there are other sources and great bands playing other places, but I just don't have the time to investigate them like I used to. The above keeps me plenty busy discovering new stuff. I'm rarely the first person to discover anything, but that doesn't really matter to me anymore.
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Anyone suggest good music blogs out there? I usually check some of the usual things that have already been mentioned, but don't know of any good blogs.
something not mentioned it Paste magazine. I have been picking that up lately and they have had some interesting stuff in there.
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Some cool stuff on here: http://www.rollins-archive.com/blog/ (http://www.rollins-archive.com/blog/)
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I get familiar with the small venues - think blackcat or smaller - at the hotspots...nyc, sf, l.a., dc, omaha, vancouver, etc. check their schedules and visit any live band links and listen. if you like the band's sound, and consider attending. it's convenient that way since it's usually cheap and you can actually make plans to attend. you'll know which bands to go out of your way to check out if there's a redundancy in the schedule.
i find that band influences aren't a good source. Most will list already popular bands which doesn't help if you're looking for something different.
for your convenience check the smaller venue nearest you as a start. not much time is needed. blackcat is a good source for up and comers if you're around the dc area. so is dc9 and a few others. but blackcat is my main source for small nation touring bands. have faith on the locals. i just saw exit clov without any previous knowledge and am in love with them right now.
have fun looking for new music.
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oh. pandora.com plays some obscure bands.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
www.woxy.com (http://www.woxy.com)
Yep.
And what my friends across the globe are listening to on last.fm
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no offense to new music, but i mostly keep myself busy finding old bands, going through nuggets comps and listening for the gems, catching up with some 70s group that i just never got into for some reason or another ... there's just so much great stuff out there that i haven't heard
it's so tiring to really try to be "ahead of the curve" and find new bands noone else has heard, and most of today's stuff is pretty derivative and non-essential ... that said, i read Magnet cover-to-cover, and focus a lot on their record label advertisements and reviews ... Liberation Dance Party (http://www.liberationdanceparty.com/) is actually a fun place to keep up on what's coming out, and you get to see the videos too ... This forum, pitchfork, and emusic are good resources ... and it really helps to have similarly inclined friends with whom you can chew the fat ... oh, and rolling stone is really essential; you won't learn about new bands, per se, but you'll get a broader perspective on the music industry (plus just great journalism) that you miss if you just follow the indie rags
but who cares about knowing about a band first? there are filters out there like DJs and magazines for a reason, to separate the wheat from the chaff
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i'm waiting for everyone to response so as to do less thinking abou this question... but my answer is being formulated and i agree with what most people have replied with.
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Chrome Waves (http://www.chromewaves.net) + KEXP (http://www.kexp.org) = : )
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The OC!
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my friend marc.
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Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
no offense to new music, but i mostly keep myself busy finding old bands, going through nuggets comps and listening for the gems, catching up with some 70s group that i just never got into for some reason or another ... there's just so much great stuff out there that i haven't heard
Agreed. I still feel as though there are plenty of bands that have come and gone already that I don't know. Case in point, Big Star. I hadn't really even heard of them until about a year ago, but really dig what they did.
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friends are always a great resource. between friends from here (the states) and the UK and other places, I seem to find out about most bands quite quickly.
local websites (im in nyc) and theres plenty of news on upcoming shows/hot bands, etc.
and im surprised no one has mentioned myspace. i heard about people in planes from there a while back, and have loved them since the moment i heard them. you never know who youll come across.
and filter magazine seems to be on top of stuff. guess it depends what kind of music you like and then staying on top of it, or finding others who like the same stuff.
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I read all the Big Star hoopla, and went out and bought one of their albums ten years ago. I still don't see what all the hoopla is about. Plenty of power pop bands came along and did better stuff. Same thing with Gram Parsons.
...though "The Letter" by the Boxtops is just about a perfect song.
Originally posted by P Harmony:
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
no offense to new music, but i mostly keep myself busy finding old bands, going through nuggets comps and listening for the gems, catching up with some 70s group that i just never got into for some reason or another ... there's just so much great stuff out there that i haven't heard
Agreed. I still feel as though there are plenty of bands that have come and gone already that I don't know. Case in point, Big Star. I hadn't really even heard of them until about a year ago, but really dig what they did. [/b]
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Originally posted by P Harmony:
Agreed. I still feel as though there are plenty of bands that have come and gone already that I don't know. Case in point, Big Star. I hadn't really even heard of them until about a year ago, but really dig what they did.
and badfinger and the raspberries as well ... rhett, what don't you like about "#1 record"? there's at least four "5-star" songs on there for me:
don't lie to me
in the street
when my baby's beside me
the ballad of el goodo
and not much filler at all ... same with "radio city" ... but i don't really get the love for "third/sister lovers", never really got into that album
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Third/Sister Lovers is the album I have. Maybe I need to check out #1 Record.
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by P Harmony:
Agreed. I still feel as though there are plenty of bands that have come and gone already that I don't know. Case in point, Big Star. I hadn't really even heard of them until about a year ago, but really dig what they did.
and badfinger and the raspberries as well ... rhett, what don't you like about "#1 record"? there's at least four "5-star" songs on there for me:
don't lie to me
in the street
when my baby's beside me
the ballad of el goodo
and not much filler at all ... same with "radio city" ... but i don't really get the love for "third/sister lovers", never really got into that album [/b]
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Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
but i don't really get the love for "third/sister lovers", never really got into that album [/QB]
Funny, Third/Sister Lovers is by far my favorite Big Star album. It's got such a unique palpable atmosphere to it of melancholy and dissolution, combined with great pop songs, amazing production. Kangaroo is maybe the most timeless thing on there - see what backwards guitars can do.
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Originally posted by Laura Zepam:
Whatever's playing in the background at Hot Topic, I buy it.
;)
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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Originally posted by bellenseb:
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
but i don't really get the love for "third/sister lovers", never really got into that album [/b]
Funny, Third/Sister Lovers is by far my favorite Big Star album. It's got such a unique palpable atmosphere to it of melancholy and dissolution, combined with great pop songs, amazing production. Kangaroo is maybe the most timeless thing on there - see what backwards guitars can do. [/QB]
yeah, everyone seems to love it ... maybe i just haven't given it enough time to seep in, the other albums just grab you by the balls and don't let go, third/sister seems more like a grower ... i really like the cover of "femme fatale", though
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Pandora is the only thing I listen to online anymore. Very nice job finding the type of crap I personally enjoy. No hype to throw you off, no indie-rock retard critic to let you know what the coolest thing is. It just finds your music.
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Originally posted by P Harmony:
Anyone suggest good music blogs out there?
I recommend the following blogs:
</font>- <font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda">My Old Kentucky Home Blog (http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/) -- stupid name for a blog, but tends to have the best stuff, I think</font></li>
- <font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda">You Ain't No Picasso (http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/)</font></li>
- <font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda">Stereogum (http://www.stereogum.com/)</font></li>
<font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda">
Really though, I agree with Bombay Chutney. I learn about most new bands from reading this forum. Kosmo and ggw are on top of new bands, especially, so I usually pay extra attention to their posts. The "Albums in 2006" thread, the emusic thread, and the "What are you listening to right now?" thread are very informative. Also, believe it or not, Big Yawn (http://www.bigyawn.net/)'s album reviews often clue me into bands I've never heard before. I only very rarely ever read Pitchfork. Usually only when someone here posts a link to Pitchfork review, which doesn't seem to happen very often.
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the forum
Torr
Salons mp3 downloads
friends
lately myspace a little and its also great for checking out bands that have cropped up on Torr or the Forum
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Wow. Great topic and there's been some wonderful replies.
I would say the most important thing really is to know your own music taste and then figure out who else shares that taste and then listen to recommendations. What's the use of flipping through a glossy "indie" rag that's being funded by corporate conglomerates and declares boldly on the front cover that The Killers are the best band ever? Now if you agree that The Killers are the best band ever, by all means, check out the aforementioned shit rag and buy buy buy all the talentless corporate shit they are promoting as the latest and greatest "indie."
My point is, you need to discriminate and be critical about *where* you get your info. If your friend says The Bravery is the most imaginative and creative act he's heard over the last 12 months, chances are he's not a good "go-to" guy for new band info.
I tend to stay away from the bigger magazines b/c I tend to dislike watered-down corporate shit that was not created by individuals I would refer to as a genuine music lovers. I think the people on this board that have suggested checking out older music are right on. Trust me man, nobody's going to give a shit about the Arctic Monkeys in 10 years. Does anybody ever talk about Menswear? Same shit, different decade, bro.
My space and allmusic are good starting points. Especially if you have bands you know you genuinely love. Go to those band's pages and start reading. Check out the related artists section on allmusic. Check out the list of friends on my space for a band you like---maybe you'll be turned onto some new ones.
Sometimes I think about where I discovered what I feel are some of the most intriguing bands I've ever heard. Bands like Lowlife, Pale Saints, Kitchens of Distinction---dude, allmusic has pages on all this stuff. Check it out..
And if you ever have a question about a band that no one seems to know anything about, see if you can track down Scott Verastro (he used to work at the 9:30 Club)---that guy probably knows more about music than anyone else I know and I know quite a few music nerds being an incorrible one myself...
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Originally posted by MindCage:
Originally posted by Laura Zepam:
Whatever's playing in the background at Hot Topic, I buy it.
Except Hot Topic stopped being goth like 2 years ago :p
[/b]
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/team_dupek/742cf344.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by Darth Ed:
Originally posted by P Harmony:
Anyone suggest good music blogs out there?
Also, believe it or not, Big Yawn (http://www.bigyawn.net/)'s album reviews often clue me into bands I've never heard before. [/b]
Wow, we didn't even have to pay you for that one.
I'm probably a bad example, as I have an insatiable, unending thirst for knowledge when it comes to new music. But at the same time i know what I like and dislike. If I had the time to listen to internet radio, WOXY.com KEXP and KCRW would be on speed-dial. WFMU is good sometimes as well. I read pitchfork and lot of other sites/blogs (chromewaves, stereogum etc) but I find many of them, especially the New York ones, tend to hit on the same music. I also read URB and XCLR8TR (?) as far as magazines go, but i love me some electronica and I know they talk a good deal about the genres i like. Running a site, i tend to get music from a million different places, and you really have to try methods out to see what works best in terms of funneling you music you like. Going to DJ nights is a good place too. Everytime I run into Friends of Guy Chadwick he introduces me to a new band i end up liking a lot.
TRial and error. It takes time, but there is no other way to know if you are missing out on an easy outlet of great music, or running across Harp magazine, blech!
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Harp Magazine
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This thread is hilarious to me because I'm in the indie scene and am still can't keep up with most people on this forum. I mean someone on here said that our band was so last week and we haven't even decided on what songs go on our CD yet. How intimidating is that?
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Originally posted by Monad:
This thread is hilarious to me because I'm in the indie scene and am still can't keep up with most people on this forum. I mean someone on here said that our band was so last week and we haven't even decided on what songs go on our CD yet. How intimidating is that?
ok, i'll bite ... what band are you in!?!?!11?!
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Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by Monad:
This thread is hilarious to me because I'm in the indie scene and am still can't keep up with most people on this forum. I mean someone on here said that our band was so last week and we haven't even decided on what songs go on our CD yet. How intimidating is that?
ok, i'll bite ... what band are you in!?!?!11?! [/b]
I know what you're thinking (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/12/AR2006041202059.html)
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Hahahaha!!! Yeah that one!
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www.allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com)
www.pitchforkmedia.com (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com)
Explore those sites enough and that's all you'll need in the world.
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Yes, but wouldn't one need to actually HEAR the music? You get 30 second clips on allmusic, and no music on pitchfork.
Originally posted by thingsfallapart:
www.allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com)
www.pitchforkmedia.com (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com)
Explore those sites enough and that's all you'll need in the world.
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakajima, Fired by Mascis:
Yes, but wouldn't one need to actually HEAR the music? You get 30 second clips on allmusic, and no music on pitchfork.
Originally posted by thingsfallapart:
www.allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com)
www.pitchforkmedia.com (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com)
Explore those sites enough and that's all you'll need in the world.
[/b]
If I recall, Pitchfork offers a lot of full MP3s. I never read Pitchfork so can't give credit to them for anything I've wondered across. Too Mainstream Indie for me. It's good but just not to my liking.
Personally, I think that if you limit yourself to Pitchfork and WOXY, you're not going to keep ahead of the flock, if that's your intended goal as it seems to be based on the original post. You need to branch out to include more variety than what everyone else depends on. I'm not saying that these 2 aren't any good, mind you. They just aren't my cup of tea and they are the very center of the Mainstream Indie set. (IMO)
Don't think anyone mentioned Insound (http://www.insound.com/) yet. If so, I apologize. I like 3WK (http://http/www.3wk.com) too for Indie and XFM (http://www.xfm.co.uk/). Epitonic (http://www.epitonic.com) also has scads and scads of stuff. Christ, there's millions of places out there!
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Honestly, I find it easiest to let Vansmack do all the work for me.....finding new music, reading the news stories, letting me know of anything interesting that's new.
It's all a part of my lifelong goal of never becoming an efficient reader (I'm quite literate, just a slow, thorough reader).
Or I see bands like Margot and the Nuclear So and So's open for other bands and steal the show-that's my favorite way to find new stuff.
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http://www.rednailmusic.org/radiohipshit (http://www.rednailmusic.org/radiohipshit) Here's the playlist
from Episode 1:
artist - song (album)
astrobrite - lollipop (pinkshinyultrablast)
pia fraus - birds still swing (nature heart software)
corvine - apol (s/t)
king biscuit time - way you walk (black gold)
bright channel - charmour (self-propelled)
parts & labor - a great divide (stay afraid)
a place to bury strangers - missing you (s/t)
hypatia lake - bridgett fountainhead (...and we shall call him joseph)
stereolab - solar throw away (solar throw away 7")
felix kubin - ich trauem nur in super 8 (nanoloop 1.0 compilation)
morgenstern - viewer (two different faces)
holy fuck - casio bossa nova (s/t)
iggy pop - new values (new values)
gray matter - walk the line (take it back EP)
didjits - captain ahab (hornet pinata)
volcano suns - white elephant (all night lotus party)
voxtrot - soft & warm (mothers, sisters, daughters & wives EP)
radio dept. - the worst taste in music (the worst taste in music EP)
the motion sick - my country (her brilliant fifteen)
beatnik filmstars - when you're dead (in great shape)
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Oh shit, Sparx! Thanks for that link. Lots of great songs on that list!
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Originally posted by Jaguar:
Oh shit, Sparx! Thanks for that link. Lots of great songs on that list!
You're welcome, that's our hometown labels newest feature. Feel free to browse the rednail catalog artists music. Over 100 FREE mp3's on the website: http://www.rednailmusic.org/rnmradio.html (http://www.rednailmusic.org/rnmradio.html)
as well as the current hipshit streams of other labels bands.
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By the way Episode 2 of RADIO HIPSHIT is now online and ready for your
consumption. This week's show is Terrastock 6-centric featuring
artists who will be playing at this weekend's Terrastock 6 festival in
Providence, RI. As always, you can stream or download the show at your
own leisure. Enjoy! http://www.rednailmusic.org/radiohipshit (http://www.rednailmusic.org/radiohipshit)
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I've been seeing Terrastock links all over the place. Guess I should check it out since I like a good dose of Psychedelic.
You should spread the word elsewhere. ;)
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Originally posted by SPARX:
http://www.rednailmusic.com/radiohipshit (http://www.rednailmusic.com/radiohipshit)
This link doesn't work.
I'm listening to show #2 now and love the first song. Where can I find a playlist?
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Originally posted by Jaguar:
Originally posted by SPARX:
http://www.rednailmusic.com/radiohipshit (http://www.rednailmusic.com/radiohipshit)
This link doesn't work.
I'm listening to show #2 now and love the first song. Where can I find a playlist? [/b]
Oops sorry, forgot it had changed to .org not .com Try this one: http://www.rednailmusic.org/radiohipshit (http://www.rednailmusic.org/radiohipshit) As for playlists, they're announced about every 5 songs or so. I can try to post the whole setlist for #2 shortly if need be. Enjoy!
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Here's a site where I've found some cool stuff. I can't recommend all the music on here as the guy who runs it has a major hard-on for twee, but at least he doesn't champion the overhyped, overproduced generic "indie" funded by the corporates...
http://www.indie-mp3.co.uk/ (http://www.indie-mp3.co.uk/)
Also, sometimes the blog below has got some interesting stuff...
http://lostbands.blogspot.com/ (http://lostbands.blogspot.com/)
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I like to read Brainwashed.
www.brainwashed.com (http://www.brainwashed.com)
They usually have samples with their reviews, and they don't review anything on a major label.
Also they have reader submitted reviews for film, and concerts.
Plus the weekly Brainwashed Podcast is usually full of great music.
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1) WOXY has been mentioned many times - but I gotta agree: it's extraordinary. When I read their 2005 year-end list, for example, I immediately 'discovered' @ least 10 cds that I really liked & a few would have belatedly made my '05 best-of-list.
2) I hate to even offer this suggestion, because I'm still working through things that I don't like about the service, but I've found iTunes to be the most significant source lately for aiding in my music research.
As Rhett mentioned above - it's essential that you actually hear the music. How many times have you read the hype - done the research - heard your friends rave & then go buy the record only to hate the singerâ??s voice? (CYHSY anyone?)
iTunes has significantly increased the overall approval ratings for the cds I do buy. I now HEAR almost everything I buy before I lay down cash. I imagine that e-music is similar in this aspect.
3) Artist Websites - these have come a long way as bands/artists have realized the marketing potential. Almost all allow you to stream tunes/hear samples/download free MP3s.
**********
It's great to have all these options. Remember the pre-internet days?! If you were an early adopter - most of your purchases were on FAITH.
I loved a record store in TOWSON MD back in the early 90's that allowed you to pre-listen to any record. It was revolutionary at that time.
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Very useful also:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/ (http://www.metacritic.com/music/)
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Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known As grotty:
Very useful also:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/ (http://www.metacritic.com/music/)
It is? I got zero returns for Polysics.
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Originally posted by Laura Zepam:
Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known As grotty:
Very useful also:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/ (http://www.metacritic.com/music/)
It is? I got zero returns for Polysics. [/b]
I bet they didn't review the Dawn of the Dead soundtrack either.
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Polysics have a new album out(2006). But I don't think Dawn Of The Dead is very current...do you? Wasn't that from like 2003, or something?
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Originally posted by Laura Zepam:
Polysics have a new album out(2006). But I don't think Dawn Of The Dead is very current...do you? Wasn't that from like 2003, or something?
Are you just in the mood to be contrary or are you missing the entire point of this thread?
Show me one source that address EVERY band/artist?
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Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known As grotty:
Show me one source that address EVERY band/artist? [/b]
This is as close as it gets, far as I can tell. It Includes soundbites from the new Polysics as well: www.allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com)
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Originally posted by Friend O' Guy Chadwick:
If your friend says The Bravery is the most imaginative and creative act he's heard over the last 12 months, chances are he's not a good "go-to" guy for new band info.
Although I will say, I would be shocked and awed if I had one in ten friends who'd ever heard of The Bravery! (Luckily, the few who do know who The Bravery are listen to way better shit than that). ;)
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Just a couple obvious ones I enjoy reading who do decent reviews of new releases. Uncut and Mojo magazines, they also do some decent music articles of days past, as well as a section on film.