It began when I was in junior high; everyone else I knew was obsessed with N'Sync and Backstreet Boys. And yes, I was a big fan of both bands. However, I also had two older brothers and a father who were introducing me to a variety of music while my 13 year-old girlfriends were only listening to the bubblegum pop that dominated the radio and Total Request Live (TRL).
I grew up listening to Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles and James Taylor. I grew an appreciation for singer/songwriters early in my life. (Even though I would never tell my father this.) I realized that the popular boy bands of my adolescence were entertaining, but did not have have the same qualities as artists like The Beatles. But, they were good-looking and I was 13. What is a girl supposed to do?
As I've gotten older, my interest in true artists and good music has grown with me. I work hard to discover new artists that truly inspire me the way Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles did when I was young. However, it became harder and harder to find these artists.
It wasn't until I got to college that I realized there were other ways to get music outside what the radio was playing and the top 10 videos on TRL. I discovered websites that helped me explore my passion for music, such as Pandora and MySpace. Then, I discovered my true passion. I went to my first small venue concert.
I realized that the best way to find new music was not only scouring the internet and my friends' CD collections, but also discovering an artist at a live performance. A live performance can turn you on to an artist instantly. As well as introduce you to new music through opening acts.
Since then, I have been collecting a diverse portfolio. Put my iTunes on shuffle and you will hear anything from Britney Spears to Frank Sinatra to Brand New. I have no limits to what I will listen to. I will give everything a chance because I believe that there is music out there to fit every one of your moods. However, I do get tired of the same old stuff that is played on the radio.
I cannot remember the last time I listened to the radio; I am the queen of the mix CD. I do not get in the car without one. The radio is just too repetitive. I blame the record labels for that. They have forgotten what a true artist is. There are very few artists like Simon and Garfunkel anymore. Or at least signed to major labels. You have to scour the indie labels' MySpace pages to find something good to listen to.
My dream is that this can be a place to help people discover new music and help me discover new music as well. There is so much more out there than what the media gives us to enjoy. It is my hope that I can share some of my insights on the music industry and indie music's place in said industry. This is my love letter to an industry that, I believe, has changed my life and possibly yours as well.
Some of the things that I am listening to...
1. Voices- Nick Drake
2. Somewhere Only We Know- Keane
3. Twilight Serenade- Jason Myles Goss
Blogs I'm reading....
1. www.hearya.com
2. www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily
3. www.indiemusicfilter.com
4. www.indieupdate.com
5. www.BrooklynVegan.com
Interesting! Yes, I agree that radio is repetitive and there are many reasons for that, perhaps the primary one being money. Glad that you love music and appreciate independent artists; do you ever wonder if your level of appreciation would be different if you had taken music lessons? I'll listen to a few of your recommendations and get back to you...your Damascus Mom
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with going to a venue and getting turned on to a band. I went to The Academy Is... concert and heard Hey Monday and couldn't get enough of them.
ReplyDeleteMy iPod's my best friend in my car!