OK Guys so im building up my library now and my problem is, I want to find good songs, but not just stuff everybody's already heard. Im saying i dont want to just play avicii, tiesto, swedish house mafia, etc. I want to cultivate my own unique library which of course has hits but has my own flavor of tracks. I use rhapsody for listening to music but rhapsody is highly oriented towards putting the most popular stuff right in your face. I know beatport has the best selection of edm, but it is kind of overwhelming. Any help here guys?
Spotify works pretty well in my experience. The truth is there is no shortcut to this though. You need to dive in and spend the time digging. Over time you'll learn the labels that release music you like and you'll learn the labels to avoid. This knowledge will make digging quicker and easier. If you aren't willing to put in the time and effort then you will continue to play the same stuff as everyone else. If you want to have your own individual sound, there are no shortcuts.
Beatport can be overwhelming I agree. I shop weekly and only get 2-3 new tracks, but the first place I look is the weekly "must hear" list for each genre I really like. I find they put more odd remixes and very genre defined stuff in those lists and it is way more fun than shopping the top 100.
I'm not into EDM music, but i think this applies to all music genres: If you're looking for obscure and original music, you'll have to dig for it in obscure and original places. In my experience, music recommendation services like pandora or last.fm are only of limited use, 'cause they still tend to play the most popular stuff fitting in with your profile most of the time. One good way is to check out what music blogs are currently doing via aggregators like the hype machine and then to take a closer look at those blogs who feature one or two tracks that interest you. If i've found an obscure artist that simply blows me away, i usually do a google search to find out which blogs and zines wrote about it. If they liked it, they're likely to feature more stuff in that direction. It's a great and easy way to find new sources for interesting music.
I use the following three methods: 1) I listen to a few select online radio stations via iTunes while I work and write down interesting tracks that jump out at me. My favorite stations: KCRW (more indie, but their EDM is very good) ETN.fm (House, but can get cheezy) & Ibiza Sonica (artsy like KCRW but only EDM) 2) I Shazam any interesting song on my iPHone when I'm out and about. You never have to miss a cool song again: whether you hear it at a clothing store or in a DJ mix with no track list. Although Shazam isn't perfect, and has some quirks, it's accuracy is amazing, and its free! I also use it when listening to mixes online at work. 3) I try to focus my searches on talent more than top 10 lists. When a DJ, Producer or Label starts getting your attention several times, go dig in their direction. For Me, Miguel Migs, DeadMau5, Röyksopp, Groove Armada consistently make interesting music. It'd probably take me a full week to search and filter all their the remixes and collaborations alone - and they're big names in EDM. I have another 20-40 lesser known artists I pay extra attention to in my searches (like Joey Negro and Hot Toddy). Between these three methods, I'm totally overwhelmed with music. That's another problem, but it sounds like one the ChrisGames wants to have. 4) (Bonus) Whatever D-Jam says. He usually posts in threads I'm in - and then somebody always posts "I think D-Jam nailed it." So, for just once, I'd like to get ahead of his mighty hammer!!
4) (Bonus) Whatever D-Jam says. He usually posts in threads I'm in - and then somebody always posts "I think D-Jam nailed it." So, for just once, I'd like to get ahead of his mighty hammer!! ^ THERE IT IS!
I listen to VirtualDJ Live Streaming radio. has 3 different stations (trance, house, hip-hop) and have every song tracklisted. love it.
oh yeah and i also use 1001djsets website... its really good..has loads and loads of tracklistings for all dj's sets..ie diggers, sasha etc
On those rare occasions when Shazam can't find a song I use SoundHound. I've only had to use SH a hand full of times because Shazam is pretty accurate.
Bookmark or write down some of your favorite artists/bands/producers and labels. Then follow with similar releases from the labels.
I keep current by perusing myBeatport selected labels (but like everyone said, you gotta dig), listening to DJ podcasts, and just surfin' the web listening to anything really. Sometimes though, throwbacks are a really cool way to put your flavor into a set. Instead of looking for what's new, try stepping back and seeing what hasn't been heard in a while. In the middle of one of my sets, I threw in Jennifer Lopez' "Waiting For Tonight". Ladies went nuts. Throwbacks, bro.
Blogs, maybe soundcloud (I'm not a heavy soundcloud user), following favorite artists on FB (as they sometimes post weird mixes with other producers' stuff in them, or post songs of fellow producers), and the Beatport Pro app (MyBeatport). Just start following the artists you love and with time you'll find labels you dig, find other producers on compilations one of your favorite artists is featured on. Genre specific playlists.
