We all (I hope) have had the spine-tingling moment of absolute satisfaction when the song that is playing perfectly matches a situation. It’s nearly indescribable: a sort of elevation that marries mental delight with an odd physical response that makes the situation exponentially better. Whether it’s simply listening to your favorite Kid Cudi song whilst walking home, cruisin’ in your car with Ratatat blaring, or just jamming to some Phish before bed, the moment seems to only get better while the music is playing.
Your musical taste is undoubtedly different than mine, but the concept still applies: when a song fits, it fits. It’s part of why I listen to music, and probably part of why most of us do.
The problem is that these artists can’t be paired every time with the same situation to produce that magical effect. Overplaying an artist will just numb you to said artist; you need some variety to match new material to daily situations. Sure, artists come out with new albums now and then, but the real solution is to broaden the number of artists you listen to so that there is rarely a shortage of excellent melody. The trick is to wade through the sea of sub-par music, leaving Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers behind to rot (unless, of course, you like that sort of thing; but then you should be tarred and feathered).
Discovering new music doesn’t have to be difficult. There are websites dedicated to expanding your musical taste. Tools like Pandora, TuneGlue and Stereomood are invaluable in discovering new music. Consider Pandora.com, which analyzes the defining elements of a band or song you name and gives you bands that share some of those elements. The music it plays is based on your musical taste, and as you build a profile and mark which songs you do or do not like, it becomes even more customized.
A major benefit of these online sites is that they aren’t limited by quantity; there is no finite number of CDs to flick through, no iPod playlist to complete. Digital isn’t the only way to go, though. Your friends may have suggestions for you, as they can take into account what you already listen to and what you show interest in as they propose new artists. Even your parents could have some quality music to offer. Just because they listen to The Grateful Dead or Pink Floyd doesn’t mean these bands are bad. Herein lies the key: you have to keep an open mind when trying new music. I never thought I’d like a band where an accordian and fiddle play key parts, but I went to a Gogol Bordello concert and absolutely loved it. I hadn’t realized bands without any vocals could be so enjoyable, but the Ratatat concert was excellent and I still enjoy listening to them.
Each genre of music has its own perks. You shouldn’t discount entirely a genre or an artist just because they aren’t mainstream, or because they’re not what you’re used to. You don’t have to like every band, but you shouldn’t decide not to listen to a band because your friends will think you a little weird. Instead, try to realize positives of artists, and give them a shot. For example, the fiddle is surprisingly versatile and nimble, and a smattering of accordion provides a much needed relief from the constant onslaught of guitar-heavy bands. Ratatat’s music, albeit odd, doesn’t even need vocals to be powerful.
Your music is your choice, and you should search for which artists you love. Whether it be through a website, a friend or parent, or just flicking through CDs you find laying around, finding a new artist is rewarding enough if you experience that ethereal feeling of perfect marriage between music and moment.
