34 karma · joined February 29, 2008
An analogy: when I want to meet new people I usually go to parties that my friends are having because I figure that if my friends like the guests then chances are I will too. However, every now and then I go to completely random bars and gatherings because I want to be exposed to a completely new circle of people who have no common relationships with me or my friends.
Similarly in music, there are times when I want to discover things that are similar to what I have liked in the past, but also times when I want to discover things that are completely random and unrelated to anything I have ever heard or liked.
While I can appreciate music suggestions that are in line with my taste, that is easy enough to find on my own (through the methods you suggested). What isn't easy to find are bands that sound nothing like what I've heard, but could be just as brilliant as the bands I know and love. This is where I think the suggestions in this thread are most useful.
And I would go even further to argue that because music is subjective and immeasurable it would make an even more interesting discussion.
Thanks too for North of America - I haven't heard them but will definitely check them out.
For me it is: Sirius XM U (formerly Left of Center); Hype Machine; Pitchfork; Songkick (for finding shows in my area); URB Magazine; Fader Magazine; OHHLA Top 25
Email me if you're interested in discussing further.
wbarrow@realitydigital.com
What would be really interesting is if you could build this into a facebook app.