Stevie's Grammy Submissions

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by UndoingTheLaces

This doesn't really relate to anything in the discussion except for this statement, and it's not even directed at any one person or group here, but the thing that kind of irks me is when people say there's no good music anymore yet they wouldn't dare venture off the well worn and beaten path of top 40 radio. As much as internet piracy has caused major structural damage to the music industry machine the availability of music and recording software have made home recording such an easy thing that many artists can put their own recordings online, sell CD's, have downloads from their websites and all sorts of avenues to get their music heard. There are thousands of blogs that promote every genre of music out there from the biggest names to the person who just writes songs simply because they love to record. How many of you will listen to a scratchy Stevie demo that's sounds like it's been dubbed from cassette to cassette about a dozen times before being committed to digital yet wouldn't consider listening to recording from a new talented artist just because he recorded his songs in his basement. I'm not condemning anyone for this, just sort of pointing out that there is amazing music just beyond itunes and the radio dial. And the best part is many music blogs that feature new artists will have sample mp3's and youtube videos so you can check these guys out before you buy.

I agree with you wholeheartedly! I *love* discovering new bands, and even old bands that I'm not familiar with. I'd say that nearly 50% of my music collection is stuff that iTunes recommended to me in the past 5 years, mostly new artists from the same time period, and almost everytime I've been amazed at how good it is in detecting my tastes - and equally amazed that I still listen to music very few others ever bother with even though it was an iTunes promoted band/artist/album.

I also will buy the album playing in my local record store when I go in if I like the mood/vocals. That's how I discovered Neko Case. And Art Brut as well, though I don't usually publically admit to loving his music!