How do you discover new music? We asked 7 of our fave musicians!
In today’s music climate, there’s more music out there than ever. It can become overwhelming to keep up — Spotify, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Apple Music, Google Play, Reddit Forums, Blogs, Websites, Shazam at a party.
And there’s solid data out there that shows once you reach your early 30s, you’re much less likely to seek out new music. There’s a number of good reasons, including changes in brain chemistry and lifestyle changes.
But if you’re a fan of the Soundshop, we’d guess you enjoy it when you discover new music. So we thought — what do you do if you do want to find some amazing new tunes? How do you clear through the digital clutter?
So we asked musicians across the globe on how they source music to stay inspired. And we got so many responses that we had to split their responses across two articles!
At the very least, check out the Discovery playlist we made where you can listen to these amazing acts!
Becca Fox — Gentleman Brawlers
City she calls home: Ridgewood, NY, USA
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
I’d say I discover the majority of new music now through Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlists, friends’ playlists, films/tv shows with cool soundtracks, and even just asking friends what they may be listening to that week.
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
Brooklyn Bowl, Baby’s All Right, Sofar Sounds, Silvana, house parties… Pinc Clouds puts on dope shows and they’ve really been getting out there in the past few years with everything from tours to busking and in between! Also, my buddy Zaven has been hosting regular open jams at Artichoke Pizza and I love finding new artists that come out weekly. Liberty Styles, Lily Desmond, and Maria Caputo are also on my radar :)
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
I’d say it’s been quite an interesting journey coming up — we’ve played in and around the NYC area for nearly 10 years and we definitely have our favorite spots to hit up. Playing shows has been a great way not only to get our music heard, but truly experienced, since our live show is such an integral part of our music. Also as designers, we fully embrace the visual creative process and how it can serve our music. Music videos serve a big role of how we engage with our fans to get our music shared.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗸 & 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼-𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰. 𝔽𝕖𝕝𝕒 𝕂𝕦𝕥𝕚 𝕞𝕖𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕂𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕜𝕪
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
IG: @gentlemanbrawlers
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2EgJWFnBz1BwghflScfD0O
https://soundcloud.com/gentleman-brawlers
https://www.facebook.com/GentlemanBrawlers/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWSBoMqyZD6JRVUQ0xsHwg
Akara Etteh
City he calls home: London, UK
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
Spotify! New Music Friday/NMF (UK), Release Radar, Discover Weekly. Also New Music Daily (Apple), the students I teach at the university of Westminster and my work at AWAL as a digital marketing intern.
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
SOOOO many venues. In London we have the world famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, as well as Troy Bar in Shoreditch, east London.
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
I’ve done all sorts of things: DJing at university, performing at local mics, producing music, entering X factor, local radio, starting a record label, touring Europe.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
R&B meets hiphop and soul
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
@AkaraEtt on socials, Akara Etteh on music platforms
Rose Stoller
City she calls home: NYC, USA
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
Spotify discover weekly, friends recommendations, artists that are similar to other artists I like, listening to burgeoning artists /rising stars that I find through social media. Digging into the past like 60s or 70s and going through the full discography of a band I am curious about.
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
I love The Colony in Woodstock. In NYC Rockwood Music Hall is a classic, but I am a fan of even more indie venues like Bar Lunatico.
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
Social media has been really cool in the experience of sharing and receiving new music. Although it’s always scary to put yourself out there, I find that the more I do, the more I get back in return. I love doing shows with people I hardly know, and getting to know them through their set. Sharing bills with people and featuring other folks on your music is a great way to extend your community.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
People have said Lianne La Havas meets Laura Marling and I wouldn’t argue that. But I’d also add a dash of The Cranberries and 70/80s Joni Mitchell into that soup. :)
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
@weirdsoundgirl on Instagram I am currently recording so I’ll have an EP out in 2022. Played at Rockwood Music Hall Nov 8th, then Chelsea Table & Stage on January 29th for a very special tribute show so definitely look out for that one. Thank you!
Bobby Sanchez
City she calls home: New Rochelle, NY, USA
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
Going to open mics, shows, social media and YouTube.
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
Nuyorican Poets Cafe. New Rochelle Public Library. White Plains Public Library.
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
Coming up in the local scene, I participated in poetry slams and open mics. Started performing in other states such as NJ & CT. Started being featured locally at different events and tried to take every performing opportunity no matter if it was paid or not. Since the pandemic has hit, I would say more people have heard my music however through tiktok, Instagram and online shows.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
I would describe it as music that is meant to make you think critically about society.
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
You can listen to me on any streaming service at Bobby Sanchez.
Michael Rider
City they call home: NYC, USA
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
I feel the older we become, the older we still will remain vigilant in finding new artists, music, culture, etc. I feel like the world has been going though so much that people will be taking more solace in art, music and ideas in general. Hopefully! For me, it is mostly word of mouth. I remember back in the day I’d find artists through the “fans also bought” on iTunes. I am lucky in the way that I am a musician where I trust my friends in finding new great music.
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
I love the DIY venue, Wetspot, which is in Bushwick! I was very fortunate to have also played there. I got to witness incredible musicians there, Bellows, Sir Babygirl, and Tenderheart Bitches to name a few. I also love Baby’s All Right and Mercury Lounge. I’m very grateful to live in NYC as all the best always come through town. I’d love to shout out M The Myth, Brett Gleason, Prince Johnny and Siv Disa! They are my homies from the lower east side.
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
I’ve experienced so much openness, love and support from being in NYC. I find that the more unique and true to yourself you are, the more respect you will gain. People are open minded to ideas and I think that is what makes NYC so special. NYC is always looking for the future. In that regard, that is why I am here.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
I like to say it’s dream pop or dreamy pop music. It is piano based, introspective, and empowering. I think if anyone is looking for surreal, textured music that paints a picture and also makes you dance, look no further!
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
michaelwrider.com / ig: michaelwrider / Twitter: michaelwrider / fb: Facebook.com/michaelridermusic / TikTok: michaelwrider
Yaniza
City she calls home: NYC, USA
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
I’ll start a Spotify radio of an artist I like or listen to the curated playlists. My faves are Pop Rising, Mood Booster, and Your Favorite Coffeehouse! I also find new music from YouTube suggested videos sometimes, but that’s usually unintentional — it just pops up and maybe the thumbnail interests me or I’ve heard of the artist before
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
I love Rockwood Music Hall and The Bitter End! Pianos also great, Mercury Lounge, and I’ve performed at a bunch of others, but those are my faves. Some dope local artists are PRIMME, Will Shish, Jeanne Marie Boes, Bandits on the Run, Abrielle Scharff, Nesly, Carmen Arrojo and so many others! I’d be here all day talking about all the wonderful musicians I’ve met!
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
I specifically remember the moment I felt like I “made it locally” was when I would start friending musicians on Facebook or insta and saw that I had mutual friends with many of them! Either that or getting followed by @nycmusicians on insta lol. It took a lot of work, play anywhere and everywhere with any smidgen of time left over after teaching 40 hours, socializing, resting, doing chores, homework when I was in grad school. I’ve mostly relied on the internet to bring my music to people. The live scene has been good to me, but not as good as the streaming scene.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
Beachy, happy, positive, acoustic, and sometimes sassy/funny!
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
Yaniza on Spotify and YouTube, @yaniza_music on insta. I have an album coming out soon that’s on the dl, but whoever reads this can be in on the surprise ;) There may or may not be an album release show floating around in my head!
Shivantha
City he calls home: Currently living in Melbourne, Australia. Previously in New York, USA
There’s been research that has shown that once we reach our late 20s, it becomes much harder for us to discover new music. What ways do you go about finding new music, either for inspiration or your own listening?
Word of mouth usually. Or I seek out the people that influenced the people that influence me.
With modern streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find musicians across the globe, yet often we don’t know about the incredible musicians in our home area. Where are your favorite local venues to perform at or hang out in? Any dope local artists you want to shout out?
Music has been dead in Australia for 2 years. No local hang outs. Perhaps Jimmy Hornets. Shout out to Xani Kolac.
We can’t finish this without highlighting you! Tell us about your experiences coming up in your local scene and how you’ve gotten your music to the people.
My music is available on all major platforms but is taking a small backseat at the moment. I am currently acting in one of the largest productions in the country — doing Shakespeare’s As You Like It with the Melbourne Theatre Company.
How would you describe your sound to anyone looking for new music?
Acoustic folk with growl/rock with soul
Where can we listen to you? Let us know how to stay tuned in!
Website: www.shivantha.com
Instagram: @shivanthamusic
Facebook: @shivanthamusic
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/39ZHO2f
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2ITq3Wx
Apple Music: https://apple.co/2x0eoT7
— Brandon Rumaker
Brandon lives in NYC, where they write, direct, and perform across multiple disciplines.
