Nice post. I have found that eclectico.org is a great way to find interesting music that I wouldn’t otherwise been exposed to.The backstory with each recommendation is concise and informative.
I've definitely felt that urge toward the familiar as I've gotten older, but I'm happily compelled to resist it, as I frequently cover new music as an arts journalist, focusing on contemporary classical, jazz and world music. The best single sampling source I've found for all of the above is John Schaefer's preposterously eclectic and tuned-in New Sounds show on WNYC https://www.newsounds.org, which I think I discovered around the same time I met Rob when we were both stirring up trouble at the University of Texas. Yes, it's been on the air that long, and continues to provide a splendid weekly dose of intriguing, exhilarating, yet often unfamiliar music, even to me. Brett sez check it out!
I am constantly reading about music artists that I know nothing about and then seeking them out. When I ride my floor bike, I allow myself the luxury of scrolling through Instagram where I learn about all types of music. My latest AARP is introducing me to the history of rap and hip hop, music that has never been on my radar (and may not ever be, but I am willing to learn and try). In Houston, we have a great non-profit radio station that we support, KPFT, 90.1. They play so many genres of music!! Blues, bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, old rock, and on and on. I also read bios of musicians (Bono of U2, Elvis, Elton John) and you learn so much about the musicians who influenced them, and you go check them out.
This is great! And a fun fact: I grew up outside Houston and KPFT was a big deal for me, where I discovered Laurie Anderson back in the day. I even donated money to KPFT! Good to know they're still going,and still cool :)
Well what a small world!! They just opened up a brand new station (their old one on Lovett was so dilapidated and full of mold) and it is lovely! I think they turn 54 (?) this year?
my open-eared-ness is something I have to consciously work at as it's so easy to just stick with the same things. My cheat is to use NPR hosts and RRR hosts in Melbourne to sift through the masses and filter it to me. when i've had a long stretch of only listening to the familiar and then finally dip into the challenge of the unfamiliar, the feeling is uniquely satisfying
i always listen to music as i fall asleep, so my routine is to scour bandcamp while lying in bed then queue up an album--can’t tell you how many new artists i’ve found!
Adding another resource to an already great list. Seemingly hiding in plain sight, one of my absolute favorite places for discovery is Sonos Radio. And you don’t need a sonos to participate! They post episodes here on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/sonos/.
I love their shows Radio Hour and Unsung, where various music artists curate playlists ranging from music that inspired a recent album to their morning routines to the sounds of their childhood. It’s a great way to foster a deeper appreciation for artists you already like or are curious about, and a way to find music you might not have known or appreciated as much before. :)
Years ago, I started to listen to radio stations in other parts of the world. I am a former radio DJ, so it was a bit nerdy for that reason. But I discovered whole other genres I didn't know existed. I didn't realize how different the pop music world is in Europe and even in different parts of the continent. A few weeks ago, a grocery store was playing a European song I never hear in America and I had a total nerd moment.
You can just open tunein, pick a country, and just listen! It's travel for theater of the mind and ears.
What a great article – thanks very much. I tend to listen to FIP, which has an eclectic playlist with little interruption. I also enjoy late-night radio programmes because they often showcase music that may otherwise not get an airing.
I try to be open to listen to what younger people (and teens) are listening to and also open to watching music award shows that feature music I don't normally listen to.
Wow, there are so many good ideas here, and I do a lot of the same. I also happen to get emails from my favorite local venues... for me, there's a newsletter about the arts & culture of our collective small towns and who happens to be playing at bars and local venues. I purposely try to listen to one new song a day (at least). I've always thought that having a newsletter specific to what I'm listening to that week might get eyeballs, but never had the guts to do it. Maybe... And I love, love, love finding new music from other countries/cultures. Always looking for more of that, as I feel music connects us all. Fingers crossed you share your favorite way to find music in a forthcoming newsletter.
Hi
Nice post. I have found that eclectico.org is a great way to find interesting music that I wouldn’t otherwise been exposed to.The backstory with each recommendation is concise and informative.
What a great tip, I'll check it out. Thanks!
I've definitely felt that urge toward the familiar as I've gotten older, but I'm happily compelled to resist it, as I frequently cover new music as an arts journalist, focusing on contemporary classical, jazz and world music. The best single sampling source I've found for all of the above is John Schaefer's preposterously eclectic and tuned-in New Sounds show on WNYC https://www.newsounds.org, which I think I discovered around the same time I met Rob when we were both stirring up trouble at the University of Texas. Yes, it's been on the air that long, and continues to provide a splendid weekly dose of intriguing, exhilarating, yet often unfamiliar music, even to me. Brett sez check it out!
That's a great tip and I will -- I've heard of it but I somehow never got to it. As for causing trouble at UT I don't think I did much of that ;)
New Sounds is a gem—on-air for 40 years and an extensive archive!
Soundcheck, also hosted by Schaefer, has interviews and studio performances with musicians: https://www.newsounds.org/shows/soundcheck
I am constantly reading about music artists that I know nothing about and then seeking them out. When I ride my floor bike, I allow myself the luxury of scrolling through Instagram where I learn about all types of music. My latest AARP is introducing me to the history of rap and hip hop, music that has never been on my radar (and may not ever be, but I am willing to learn and try). In Houston, we have a great non-profit radio station that we support, KPFT, 90.1. They play so many genres of music!! Blues, bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, old rock, and on and on. I also read bios of musicians (Bono of U2, Elvis, Elton John) and you learn so much about the musicians who influenced them, and you go check them out.
This is great! And a fun fact: I grew up outside Houston and KPFT was a big deal for me, where I discovered Laurie Anderson back in the day. I even donated money to KPFT! Good to know they're still going,and still cool :)
Well what a small world!! They just opened up a brand new station (their old one on Lovett was so dilapidated and full of mold) and it is lovely! I think they turn 54 (?) this year?
That's great to hear!
my open-eared-ness is something I have to consciously work at as it's so easy to just stick with the same things. My cheat is to use NPR hosts and RRR hosts in Melbourne to sift through the masses and filter it to me. when i've had a long stretch of only listening to the familiar and then finally dip into the challenge of the unfamiliar, the feeling is uniquely satisfying
Nice. And that's a good strategy!
bandcamp!!!
True, people swear by it:)
i always listen to music as i fall asleep, so my routine is to scour bandcamp while lying in bed then queue up an album--can’t tell you how many new artists i’ve found!
I do the exact same thing, except I do it in YouTube, but I also use bandcamp
I am currently focused on 3 different decades far in the past. 50's jazz, 70's soul/funk, and 90's hip hop. it's like a trip through time!
Nice!!
Love that Jose Naranja article. Now I'm off to mess with our Spotify algorithms!
Have a listen to this radio from switzerland: https://next.openbroadcast.ch/
Great music from around the world, no commercials, no bla bla.
Will give it a try, thanks! (Although sometimes a little bla bla can actually be a good thing if it's informative ha ha!)
true;)
Adding another resource to an already great list. Seemingly hiding in plain sight, one of my absolute favorite places for discovery is Sonos Radio. And you don’t need a sonos to participate! They post episodes here on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/sonos/.
I love their shows Radio Hour and Unsung, where various music artists curate playlists ranging from music that inspired a recent album to their morning routines to the sounds of their childhood. It’s a great way to foster a deeper appreciation for artists you already like or are curious about, and a way to find music you might not have known or appreciated as much before. :)
Oh cool, will check it out -- thanks!
Great post! Thanks from a 70 year old who has just discovered Prince 😍
Wow, that's awesome! You're set for a lot of great listening :)
LOVE THIS!
Years ago, I started to listen to radio stations in other parts of the world. I am a former radio DJ, so it was a bit nerdy for that reason. But I discovered whole other genres I didn't know existed. I didn't realize how different the pop music world is in Europe and even in different parts of the continent. A few weeks ago, a grocery store was playing a European song I never hear in America and I had a total nerd moment.
You can just open tunein, pick a country, and just listen! It's travel for theater of the mind and ears.
This is great -- tunein is underrated!
I am pretty sure you will love this!
http://radio.garden/
Ooh will check it out! Thanks : )
What a great article – thanks very much. I tend to listen to FIP, which has an eclectic playlist with little interruption. I also enjoy late-night radio programmes because they often showcase music that may otherwise not get an airing.
I'm not familiar with FIP but will look into it. Couldn't agree more about late night listening though :)
It's a French radio station, available online – a treasure trove!
Very good post today, Rob!
Like you always do, you got me thinking!..
Interesting point - there is no true silence, only quiet. There are so many parallels among seeing and listening..
images/vibrations
look versus see/
hear versus listen
Vision manifests in the eye of the beholder/ sound manifests in the ear of the beholder. Every person creates their own unique experience.
Seeing and listening are both essential components of the highly creative process of noticing.
Thanks!
I try to be open to listen to what younger people (and teens) are listening to and also open to watching music award shows that feature music I don't normally listen to.
Wow, there are so many good ideas here, and I do a lot of the same. I also happen to get emails from my favorite local venues... for me, there's a newsletter about the arts & culture of our collective small towns and who happens to be playing at bars and local venues. I purposely try to listen to one new song a day (at least). I've always thought that having a newsletter specific to what I'm listening to that week might get eyeballs, but never had the guts to do it. Maybe... And I love, love, love finding new music from other countries/cultures. Always looking for more of that, as I feel music connects us all. Fingers crossed you share your favorite way to find music in a forthcoming newsletter.
Updates from local venues is a good idea, and I love the one new song a day goal!
I keep my ears open. Not long ago fell totally in love with Celtic fiddle music.
Nice!