How to Find Your Next Favorite Artist: A To-Do List from an A&R
Image Courtesy: Audio Lab Sound Recordings
Take it from someone who scouts budding artists for a living: wading through the sea of new music can be tough. But if you’re serious about discovering that one artist to impress your friends with, you’ve come to the right place. Here are my favorite places to find my next favorite artist.
Last.fm: This site is a gem for finding similar artists. Just type in a name, and you’ll get a list of both underground and mainstream acts that can expand your musical horizons.
Social Media/TikTok Music Center: TikTok is a cheat code in today’s music landscape. Think Malcolm Todd, Kairo, and the NY drill scene—all gained traction here. Spend some time on TikTok’s music center, check out trending songs, and see who’s producing them. This platform is a goldmine for discovering new talent.
In-Person Venues: Gone are the days when hanging out at your favorite music venue was the norm, but this remains a fantastic way to find new acts. Talent buyers scout local artists and book them to fill seats. Check out venues’ Instagram pages or their calendars on websites to see who’s playing. ConcertBuddy is another cool app—it’s like Tinder for finding friends to go to concerts with.
Curation Pages: Community is huge in music. Many colleges have radio slots or DJ sets, and Instagram is full of curation pages. Personalities like Annabell Kline (ThatGoodShit) and Eric the Young Gawd are worth following, as are industry-based brands like Overlooked.ig and 1824. These pages can introduce you to new music through the lens of different tastes and styles.
Analytics-Based Programs: With the rise of analytics in the industry, numbers matter. Tools like Chartmetric, Soundcharts, and Viberate can help you spot trends. While they can be pricey, if you’re serious about finding great new music, they’re worth the investment. Chartmetric’s “Artist” tier, for example, is about $10 a month.
Record Stores: Yes, it might seem hipster to collect records when you can stream almost any song online, but record shops offer something unique. You might stumble upon something you weren’t even looking for. Dive into subsections you’d normally skip—like Tibetan monk meditative sounds—you never know what hidden gems you’ll discover.
These are all fantastic ways to find new artists and feel good about sharing your discoveries or keeping them as your little secret. Happy hunting!
Strike Out,
Drew Jenkins
Editor: Tasha Karam
Los Angeles
