I have always been motivated to get up in the morning by searching for new music.
I’ve been obsessed with the thought that my favourite albums or songs of all time are still waiting to be found.
Since 2006, I have ritually searched for new music each morning.
Although I understand that not everyone is able to spend this much time with their family.
The sheer amount of music released makes it difficult to find new music.
How do you begin? How can you focus your search when there are 100,000 songs uploaded every day to streaming platforms?
When the options are overwhelming, it is easy to retreat to your favourite songs.
This is half the reason I created my new music discovery website, Somewhere Soul. So I can dig for people who aren’t sure where to start or don’t want to spend the time.
If you are stuck in a rut with music and listen to Spotify’s ‘on repeat” playlist far too often, here are a few tips that will help you streamline your search and add new songs to your playlists.
1. Fish in a Smaller Pond
It’s easy to catch fish in smaller ponds when there’s so much music on streaming platforms.
Because people, not algorithms, curate record shops, you’re more likely to find hidden gems.
Some of my favourite albums have been discovered through online record shops such as Stranger than Paradise or Drift Records.
Finding the right record store may take longer, but once you do, you’ll be able to use it for years.
2. Bandcamp: The Beauty of Bandcamp
Sign up for their mailing list if you find a song or artist you like.
Sign up for the mailing list of the label if you’re interested in staying on top of all the releases.
Each Friday, I eagerly await the arrival of new music in my email from my favourite record labels.
It would be great if streaming platforms introduced a feature similar to a mailing list that allows artists to communicate directly with their fans.
3. Dig by Country
It is logical to search for music by genre. However, my digging sessions are more productive when I focus on a particular country.
Searching for Hip Hop on a streaming service is too broad. If you search for “French Hip Hop”, you will narrow the search down and be able to explore a specific scene rather than just a general genre.
This will help you to narrow down your search and expand your understanding of the music of different countries.
4. Globetrot the Radio
Radio Garden is a great app that allows you to travel the globe and listen to radio stations from all over.
It’s a great way to learn about different time zones.
If you are digging in the UK in the afternoon or morning but want tracks for a nightclub, you may want to listen to dance music in countries that have nighttime.
I’ll never forget the birthday of a friend in the country when we spent the whole day in the sunshine listening to island music from Tahiti FM. Bliss.
5. Dig by Sub Genre
Rate Your Music lists 89 different sub-genres of Hip Hop.
This website has already done the majority of filtering for you, so you don’t need to.
Sub-genres can help you narrow your search and learn more about the music you love. For example, you might love West Coast Hip-Hop but not Southern Hip-Hop.
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6. Interviews with artists and playlists
Your favourite musicians can be a great source of inspiration for new music, particularly as they cite a wide range of artists.
You can quickly access the music of your favourite artists by using any playlists that they have made public on their streaming profiles.
You can also read artist interviews if you prefer a more direct and, in my opinion, more enjoyable approach. There will almost always be a question asking what music they are listening to or who they find inspiring. The extra context that they provide is often fascinating.
7. Treat producers like record labels
Have you discovered a new favourite track? Check out the song credits of the producer, and see what they have worked on.
Tidal users can easily do this because each credit has a direct link to the writer or producer. Other streaming platforms require a bit more work.
This method has led me down some incredible rabbit holes. It’s a great habit to follow the output of your favourite producers in the same manner as you would a label.
8. Find a Venue by Searching through the Listings
Have you recently seen a great show at which you learned about a new artist or band? Take the time to look through their event listings and past events for other artists who aren’t on your radar.
The majority of venues have a music policy. If you like one artist, you will find more.
This is a very labour-intensive method, but it has led me to discover some amazing artists. I have seen their shows and booked them for my shows.
9. Use Instagrammers and Playlists
Many Instagrammers are digging for you.
You can follow public playlists and get notifications when they post.
They are often looking for new ideas and will take requests from the comments section. If you want to learn more about South African jazz, request a blog post!
I am always grateful for suggestions and comments from music fans who ask me to cover certain genres.
10. Set a Digging Time
This last tip is not so much about music sources but more about how you approach music searching.
Every morning, I spend at least an hour or two searching for music. It’s a part of my daily routine, and I can’t break it. It’s like someone else’s meditation or ice bath.
There are some mornings when I find nothing I like, and my search is not very fruitful. But that’s the way it is. I wake up every morning excited to find something new.
Algorithms have made us believe that we no longer need to search for music. Why, then, are many music lovers I talk to stuck in their listening habits?
