New Music Discovery

It used to be that discovering a new artist, album or tracks was done by listening to the radio. While radio is still an extremely important part of the marketing plan for major labels, it is not the force that it used to be. We’re all aware the social networking, file sharing, streaming sites like Spotify and Pandora are the new arbiters of musical taste. The most important in this mix is probably YouTube. A viral YT video can establish an artist or band almost overnight. Examples include “Gangnam Style” and “It’s Friday”. Some of these videos have millions of views…it’s not wonder that interest in the music explodes.

That’s all well and good for the commercial recordings that populate FB and YT but what about tracks that actually have fidelity? I’ve heard reviewers say that they absolutely love the sound of my recordings but can’t relate to the music. Or they don’t like the artists…they wish I could record and release artists that they already admire and love. I would if I could but I cant’ for a few reasons. First, they artists are already signed to major labels. Second, the standard production path that established them as front line artists in the first place is not something that they’re likely to abandon. And lastly, many of them couldn’t perform during alive session to the level that is required for one of my recordings. So I’m kinda stuck.

I do chafe a little when a reviewer says that they don’t like the style of music that I produce. AIX Records was not founded on a particular genre of music. I have recordings of solo acoustic guitar, R&B, big band jazz, bluegrass, folk, classical (both chamber music and orchestral), singers (male and female), country, blues and improvised hour long jams. I would think that somewhere in that mix there would be a selection that appeal.

So I produce sampler discs that include a large variety of tracks in various mixes. Some of them have video and some of them don’t. Our most recent sampler includes 41 tracks and is FREE with any purchase from our label. I want people to hear the quality of the performances AND the quality of the presentation.

I get a little tired of walking around audio trade shows and hearing the same tracks every time. It’s like Diana Krall or Pink Floyd are the only artists that matter. If you have a computer music system, you’re welcome to taste test the tracks that are offered on our FTP site. Try it you might like it.