It is common for people who are interested in their favorite type of music to believe that they have heard of all of the most well known artists in that genre. However, there are always new artists emerging; they simply may take some extra effort to locate. When you know how to find them, discovering new artists can be a fun experience.
Explore Curated Playlists
While some playlists are generated by an algorithm, many playlists are curated by real people who write about music, work at local record stores, etc. People curated playlists tend to be more unique than big popular playlists.
The passion of a person who has a curated playlist is what allows them to pick talented up-and-coming artists that you would never know existed unless you were a fan of that person.
If you follow several great curators, you will discover new artists and new songs that you probably would never have heard of if you had just stuck with the big popular playlists.
Follow Producers, Not Just Artists
When searching for music, people will most often seek out the singer or band. However, producers have a role in shaping the sound of music and most often collaborate with multiple artists. If you find a producer with an artist style you like, research all the other artists they’ve produced. This may introduce you to new artists whose style is similar to what you like but also offers you something new.
Dig Into Festival Lineups
Line-up posters of music festivals are great ways to find new bands/artists to listen to; even if you do not plan on attending a specific festival. It is usually the top-billed headliners that you will instantly recognize. Conversely, the lesser known artists that are in the middle or lower part of the bill may be the best way to see some of the most interesting acts at that particular festival.
Read The Comment Sections Where Fans Talk Music
Fans of music will frequently tell you about their favorite music and recommend others. Fan comments in comment sections and fan sites for music provide a wealth of recommendations. When talking about songs or bands, the most frequent recommendation is another artist with the same sound.
If someone is watching rock videos they may find suggestions for other bands in the comments section of these videos by fans that have the same energy as bands such as the Foo Fighters. These comments can be an excellent way to discover new music.
Look At The Opening Acts On Tour
When artists go on tour, they often bring other performers with them. These opening acts are usually chosen carefully. Many big artists like to support rising talent. Taking a few minutes to listen to the opening acts from a tour announcement can introduce you to artists who are just starting to gain attention. Finding new artists does not have to be difficult. A little curiosity can go a long way. By exploring curated playlists, paying attention to producers, checking festival lineups, reading fan discussions, and listening to opening acts, you can keep your music library growing. Your next favorite artist might already be waiting to be discovered.
