Discovering Spotify, and a world of new music

A couple of years ago I discovered the now popular online music sharing network called Spotify. At first I was pessimistic, as it was easy to download and share music for free through thousand of other sources on the internet. Why would I want to pay for it? The words "ice to Eskimos" sprung to mind. When Spotify cut down on listening time for free memberships, and then subsequently stopped their free memberships all together, I resisted paying. After all, we're in a recession, I thought. But as time went on, it became clear to me how valuable the service had become, and a year ago, I signed up for a paid membership. That decision was one of the best I have ever made, and, although it may sound like an overreaction, it changed me as a person, as a whole new world of music presented itself to me.

The Spotify interface (March 2012)

Like many other people, I knew what I liked, and I'd been listening to the same old music for years. It's what you get used to, and it's what you come to know and love, so you stick with it. But now I realise that this belief I had; that all new music isn't as good, was ignorant and misinformed.

Whilst watching the Mercury Music Awards on TV last year, two albums stuck out to me, albeit simply because of the artwork alone. I mean, I had nothing more to go on at that stage. They were Metronomy's 'The English Riviera' and Everything Everything's 'Man Alive'. So, I had a listen to both through Spotify, and within a couple of listens, I was absolutely hooked on Metronomy and their whole back catalogue. 'Riviera' is now one of my favourite albums for many many years. 'Man Alive' was more of a grower, but now that too is up there in my top 5. I now began to realise how ignorant I was, and that I'd been missing out on years of amazing bands releasing equally amazing music.

Now, there is a 'related artists' field on the Spotify interface that allows you to browse through other artists that you may also like. St. Vincent was one of the first I stumbled across whilst listening to Metronomy. OK, they aren't actually that similar, but who cares! They now rock my world! I knew straight away that I was going to like them when I heard the opening chords of the chaotic, yet haunting, 'Chloe in the Afternoon', but I didn't know I'd grow to adore Annie Clark. 'Strange Mercy' has become my favourite album to date. Ever.

Other artists I've come to know and love since using Spotify are Twin Sister, Late of the Pier, Twin Shadow, and the sublime Blonde Redhead. The latter was recommended to me by a friend I met on New Years Eve. Yet another band I just can't seem to get enough of now. I found out that they'd been recording for the best part of 20 years, but, not surprisingly, in my previously blinkered state, I'd never heard of them before.

Metronomy at the 02 Academy, Birmingham, England. 18th February 2012

During my obsession of new found bands in 2011, I promised myself that in 2012 I would go to see as many of them perform live as I possibly could. This came to fruition in February when I traveled to Birmingham to see Metronomy as part of the NME Awards Tour. It was a long day, and because tickets were so scarce, I went alone. Actually no one I knew really appreciated them as much as I did. I decided I'd rather rock out in the mosh-pit alone than stand at the back keeping a non-fan company, so that's just what I did! It was a fantastic night, even though I felt like the oldest person there... and my clothes were different. Five days later they performed in my home town of Bournemouth, but I'd left it far too late to buy tickets, and they'd sold out. Hence the Birmingham mission! One down.

I got an extremely generous Christmas present from my boss last year. Two tickets to see St. Vincent in London, only two weeks after the NME gig in Birmingham. So, this Monday just gone, I made my way to the Shepherds Bush Empire. Again I went alone for similar reasons to before, but I didn't care! I just wanted to see the one and only Annie Clark in the flesh. The St. Vincent gig was something I will never forget, and I've been banging on about it ever since to whoever will listen. I had booked a ticket on the 11:05pm train, but time was running out, and I had to make a decision; miss part of the performance and catch my train, or catch a later train and pay extra for a ticket. But the night was in full-swing. There was only one option for me, so I missed my train.

St. Vincent at the 02 Shepherds Bush
Empire, London. 27th February, 2012.

She absolutely nailed it! The highlights of the night were her performance of 'Year of the Tiger', 'Chloe in the Afternoon', and the haunting strings of 'Champagne Year', although the entire set was flawless. An unexpected crowd-surf followed during the encore, in which I had to hold up her leg at one point. It was incredible, although I was a little disappointed at the lack of interaction from the crowd. For some reason, unlike at the NME gig, no one was really rocking out. I wanted so badly to get involved and just lose it, but you can't really have a one-man mosh pit! Having said that, I will forever remember Monday night. It took me back to the days when I was a teenager, when I adored a band so much I wanted to wear the tour T-shirt with pride! St. Vincent, I salute you.

I will certainly continue to follow my much-loved bands this year. Maybe I'll get to see Everything Everything supporting Snow Patrol, or Blonde Redhead soon, although I know they're not touring at the moment. Spotify, thank you for opening my eyes, and indeed, changing my life. I will continue to use your revolutionary service.