Music discovery
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Identify the producers of albums you love and seek out other records they have worked on.
You might prefer the producer's sound over the artist's.
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- Explore the discographies of specific producers known for distinct sounds to find new music.7
Discover new music by researching the biggest influences of artists you already enjoy.
Listening to the heroes of your favorite musicians can lead to similar great stuff.
- This does not work if your favorite artist has poor taste in music.
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- Explore new genres and artists by listening to what partners or friends with different tastes enjoy.2
Start with Vince Guaraldi for jazz Christmas music.
He is noted for his Rhodes piano playing.
one person who lived it
Watch the support acts at gigs before the headliner.
It is courteous to performers, helps discover new music before bands become famous and unaffordable, and even a few attentive listeners can make a difference.
- It is perfectly fine to skip an act if you are not interested, especially if the warm-up performance is poor.
one person who lived it
Browse the soundtracks of movies you enjoy to discover songs you haven't heard yet.
You are likely to find music you like that you have not listened to in full before.
one person who lived it
Research defunct or acquired record labels associated with older bands you like to find obscure gems from that era.
Many older labels no longer exist or were bought out, meaning the band may have been part of a small operation at one point.
one person who lived it
Search Wikipedia for the bands that inspired your current favorite band to find similar music.
Your favorite bands often apply lessons learned from their inspirations, making this a more personal discovery method than random guessing.
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Listen to an entire band's discography, starting at the album that introduced you to them and working backward.
You may find really good music you otherwise likely wouldn't have heard.
one person who lived it
Explore the broader genre scene and bands associated with an artist's location and era, rather than just their direct influences.
Looking at the whole scene reveals bands that played together and shaped the same environment.
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Be honest about your specific music tastes to spark interesting discussions and connect with others who share niche interests.
Many people are not into mainstream music, and honesty can reveal shared obscure preferences rather than just humblebragging.
- Some people may reject you if your tastes are considered too niche or unconventional.
one person who lived it
Listen to Bill Evans for wintery tones when snow is falling at night.
It provides a suitable atmosphere if actual Christmas tunes are not desired.
one person who lived it
Check the lineup of opening acts for a favorite band's tour.
Tour planners generally select artists with similar styles to ensure audience enjoyment.
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Watch Nardwuar interviews with favorite artists to learn about their musical inspirations.
The interviewer digs into artists' pasts and finds their musical inspirations.
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