How do you hear about new music?

There are so, so many ways to find out about new music these days that it seems almost overwhelming. Used to be that you would go to your local record store, see the new releases and talk with the people that worked there. Or we heard a song on the radio and the DJ told us who it was. Mostly we found out about new music through friends, people we trusted, radio stations we like.

But now, with so many avenues to explore new music, how do you find new music?

Good ole radio?
Magazines?
Friends?
Record store?

I'll share with you some of the ways that I hear about new music...

Commercials
Wait! Don't only "sell-outs" allow their music to be used for commercials? Not in this day and age. In the marketing field myself, the industry is shifting from using very well-known music (like the Stones, Led Zeppelin, etc.) to using music that creates a vibe, creates a mood and an attitude that targets very specific consumer groups.

Obviously, the ipod/itunes commercials are very popular. The latest group to gain success from an ipod commercial is The Ting Tings. Their song, "Shut Up and Let Me Go" rocks and was featured in the most recent iPod commercial. Listening to their new album which dropped at right now, I can tell you they ROCK!

The Ting Tings sound a bit like Sleater Kinney, but with more electro spice. Simple beats that are super catchy - think 2-1 hand-clapping - and a great front woman who has a fresh and familiar voice. They'll make you want to dance. For me, that's sure brilliance. In fact, I love it so much that here's the ad....



Some of my favorite artists - Santogold, Saul Williams, Silversun Pickups - are now featured in commercials for things beer, athletic shoes and baseball. The old "sell-out" argument doesn't hold for these folks. The conversation has changed. Perhaps I'll write a blog about music and marketing later....(You can hear Saul Williams addressing it here.)

Magazines
Some magazines I like are:

• Paste
• Spin
• Paper - the newest issue featuring Pharrell Williams and N*E*R*D*'s new album, which I really like BTW.
• NME - great magazine from the UK. Has ton of info for all sorts of music.

It pays to have a subscription to some of them, but mostly I check out their (free) wedbsites.

Radio (Web)
Sometimes I hear good music through the commercially available radio stations in my city, but not normally. They usually play what I know is coming out or what I've heard already. And most of them all sound the same, especially here in Atlanta. Some of my favorites I get through the web through podcasts or live streaming:

• All Songs Considered - one of the greatest offerings that public radio has today. I hear so much great music through this and they often post live shows on their website that you can download and listen to for free. Lately, I've downloaded R.E.M. at SXSW and B-52s. This is a treasure trove of new music. The host, Bob Boilen, is also one of the most knowledgeable and fair music critics out there. He's really interested in what is new, different, cutting edge, but also music that will last the test of time.
• The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) - not only does Minnesota have some of the best public radio, it has a great tradition of indie music and great acts like Prince. The current is AWESOME! You can hear everything from Lupe Fiasco, to David Bowie, to My Morning Jacket. They play what's great and what you cannot get on the commercial stations. The good news is that you can stream it live from any computer! Check it out! NOW!!!
• My Morning Becomes Eclectic KCRW - another great publicly-funded station out of Santa Monica. The good news about that is they are 3 hours behind, so My Morning Eclectic comes on at noon eastern. Just in time for lunch. Also a great program that breaks new music you won't here on commercial stations.

Random Places
Just saw an ad in Spin magazine for Diesel, promoting their new site devoted to musicians that haven't necessarily signed with a label but that are producing a buzz in their respective realms. One hot act I found on there is a pair of lady DJs from Sweden that call themselves, Housewives. I hope they produce an album soon, because they are putting some hot dance music out.

Shows like So You Think you Can Dance have some great music. I love that the choreographers on the show get a chance to share new music to viewers like us inadvertently through their pieces. You can get the full music lineup from the site.

The greatest thing about all this is that whenever I hear a tune that really catches my ear, a sound where I think "Man! What is that? I need to know." it is so easy these days to find out quickly who that was. Google the commercial, or go to YouTube and look it up. Chances are, within a few clicks, you'll find your artist and the song and you'll have new music to inspire you.