Where Do You Find Good Music These Days?

I'm really not sure how those that only listen to traditional radio find anything worth listening to, much less anything good, new and exciting. And before anyone crows about satellite radio, I'm not sure that's much better. Sure you can find what you want to listen to, but are you discovering anything new, or just listening to what you already like?

Let's just take a look at the past 12 months + and what I'm listening to and where I discovered them.

Halestorm: From a website totally unrelated to anything music.

Whiskey Myers: From a radio station. But a local Red Dirt/Texas station.

Blackberry Smoke: From a "Related Artists" search on Spotify.

Orianthi: From twitter. A country artist from Ohio who's a fan of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" tweeted about her.

Houndmouth: From a "Related Artists" search on Spotify.

Samantha Fish: From a YouTube search for the Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers" covers. (Don't ask)

Nikki Lane: From the website SavingCountryMusic.com.

Tyler McCumber Band: From the website FarceTheMusic.com.

Unless you are actively searching for non-mainstream music, you are not going to find it. And you are missing out on a ton of good stuff. I'm not saying that the above artists are your cup of tea, just saying that if I hadn't gone outside of what the conglomerates had decided what we should listen to, I would not have been able to enjoy their music.

I would hate to be an up-and-coming artist in this day and age. It's got to be tough. Radio is a vapid wasteland. The so called music channels (MTV, VH1, CMT, GAC) have all gone headlong into "reality" based programming.

Most people won't take the time or put forth the effort it takes to find music they truly enjoy. And face it, in today's world, it takes time and effort.

I'll admit it, I'm a bit of music nerd. The kind of music I've always liked has never been easily accessible except for brief periods. That's not to say that hasn't been a lot of more mainstream music that I have enjoyed, but for the most part, I've had to do some research to find my music. I'm okay with that.

Album Spotlight: Nikki Lane: All or Nothin'

I'm really not good with labels. So, I really don't know where to place Nikki Lane's latest release All or Nothin'.

Because of her voice and the steel guitar and traditional country instrumentation, many have wanted to label her as a country throwback in the vein of Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Vocally, I get it. But musically, not so much.

There is definitely a country thread running through the entire record. But there's also rockabilly, 70's laid back SoCal rock, pop(ish) and a tinge of the blues to be heard. I liken it more to the early releases of Sheryl Crow, Tuesday Night Music Club and The Globe Sessions.

The only thing that really needs to be said about Nikki Lane is that she puts out some fantastic music and does a fine job of being Nikki Lane. All or Nothin' is worth a listen. Here is "Right Time" from the album. Enjoy.