There are some excellent ideas on this thread. As an avid music collector, I am the twisted individual who gave away 8 record crates of albums when I moved to NY to pursue a career only to replace the collection with cds as technology changed. I still have not fully embraced the download scene because I enjoy the tangible aspects of a cd package (artwork, liner notes,the full package). I admire most every style and genre of music. However, originality is the key to success for me. Here are a few sources of new music I have successfully used that have not been mentioned:
TV: Austin City Limits on PBS is a great forum for music. Set your Tivo now. Jools Holland is another show that has a diverse line up of new talent. Jools was the keyboard player for Squeeze and is a talented musician in his own right.
Homegrown Music Network: www.homegrownmusic.net is a consortium of independent labels that distribute for new bands. Good source for bluegrass, reggae, and college type bands. Their annual cd of the year is an automatic purchase for me.
Jambands.com is a website with record/concert reviews with a slant towards Grateful Dead type bands. They post the top 100 cd college radio playlist monthly. I am like an NFL coach looking at college offenses for new ideas. Jambands turned me onto Trombone Shorty,Tedeschi Trucks,and others this year.
Record labels: You will find that you share similar tastes to certain A&R reps on labels. www.bluerose-records.de is a German label that publishes several paisley underground and alt-country artists I enjoy. I got an excellent 3 cd set of Cracker Live at rockpalast from them this year. www.eagle-rock.com releases cds and dvds of classic rock artists including archival concerts from Peter Frampton, the Stones, ZZ Top, and many others. Deltagrooveproductions.com is a blues label that has some of the best blues artists today including Mitch Kashmar, Kirk Fletcher,and others.
www.livedownloads.com This is a download site where you can either order hard copy cd's or downloads from many participating artists.
Finally, don't forget we live in a global economy. You can just as easily order from Amazon UK vs. Amazon and sometimes save money and find unique items.
TV: Austin City Limits on PBS is a great forum for music. Set your Tivo now. Jools Holland is another show that has a diverse line up of new talent. Jools was the keyboard player for Squeeze and is a talented musician in his own right.
Homegrown Music Network: www.homegrownmusic.net is a consortium of independent labels that distribute for new bands. Good source for bluegrass, reggae, and college type bands. Their annual cd of the year is an automatic purchase for me.
Jambands.com is a website with record/concert reviews with a slant towards Grateful Dead type bands. They post the top 100 cd college radio playlist monthly. I am like an NFL coach looking at college offenses for new ideas. Jambands turned me onto Trombone Shorty,Tedeschi Trucks,and others this year.
Record labels: You will find that you share similar tastes to certain A&R reps on labels. www.bluerose-records.de is a German label that publishes several paisley underground and alt-country artists I enjoy. I got an excellent 3 cd set of Cracker Live at rockpalast from them this year. www.eagle-rock.com releases cds and dvds of classic rock artists including archival concerts from Peter Frampton, the Stones, ZZ Top, and many others. Deltagrooveproductions.com is a blues label that has some of the best blues artists today including Mitch Kashmar, Kirk Fletcher,and others.
www.livedownloads.com This is a download site where you can either order hard copy cd's or downloads from many participating artists.
Finally, don't forget we live in a global economy. You can just as easily order from Amazon UK vs. Amazon and sometimes save money and find unique items.