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YouTube!

Pandora, Last.fm, etc.

I go into Good Records and buy something I've never heard of, just like always. 9 of 10 times = success. Found Ida Maria that way. Record store in-stores at Good Records. Found Starlight Mints and True Widow that way and I'm really looking forward to the record/film show by Noah and the Whale next week. Again, just like the last 30 years. Check in with Elements of Our Enthusiasm. Shared enthusiasm is fun and Stephen runs in circles outside my orbit. I avoid buying old warhorses like the plague. Leads to the mistaken idea there's nothing new out there. I do love The Beatles. They facilitated much good in my life. I don't need another copy as much as I need the new Bill Frisell record. I go to rock shows, just like the last 35+ years. So I know to look forward to the new Frightened Rabbit release, from which they played a few developing tunes in Austin last Thursday. Plus, I got to make a quick stop at Waterloo Records, the best store in Texas. I read, read, read. Just like always. Now, of course, research can be checked out via the web, where songs/snippets are offered. Obviously, I disagree with your premise that the Internet has changed everything!

I'm able to stream Internet radio at my desk during the day. I start with a Boston station in the morning, switching to a Salt Lake station, and ending the day with a San Diego station. All bill themselves as "alternative," but the playlists are only somewhat similar. Forget about audio quality, however, this will only suffice as a research tool.

myspace, pandora.

Many websites allow listening on the Internet before you put an order on a CD. That makes it fun to order CDs from Internet shops. Magazine reviews are also helpful.

Fanfare magazine

Just one word: Internet radio. Oops, that's two words.

I normally read the reviews on new artists listed in Stereophile or The Abso!ute Sound. Other than that, who has three hours to spend in a decent record store looking for music worth listening to?

Keep the ol' eyes and (especially) ears open. The web is filled with reviews, suggestions, and even samples of what is out there. There's always Stereophile, etc. There's plenty to drain the pocketbook and soothe the ears until next month's paycheck comes around. Then, there is always the RMAF to perk you up.

Radio, including Internet radio.

Weekly emails from Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds, Paste, Rolling Stone, Mojo, emails from various bands and record labels, plus my talkative local indie record store owner.

XM satellite radio is my source for "discovering" new music. Then it's off to one of the online retailers to get the CD.

Mainly, the old-fashoined way: I subscribe to a magazine. However, I also find progarchives.com very useful.

Amoeba records, Los Angeles; Rockaway Records, Los Angeles; CD Trader, Los Angeles; Music Direct; Elusive Disc; Acoustic Sounds; Audiophile USA; Todd the Vinyl Junkie; Better Records (DCCblowout.com)! In other words, what I can't find at my brick-and-mortar hangouts, I find in cyberspace. I also receive email alerts from all of the connections mentioned above. Geez, the lengths that people will go to find that special slab of vinyl.

Radio Canada

My roommate, Aquarius records, Presto Classical, and my roommate some more.

Ordering vinyl locally or via online sellers! If there is a freebee MP3 download to the vinyl, fine—but no way am I making the switch to non-physical media! Ever!

Satellite radio, local college radio, Amazon—people who like A also like B— Stereophile, and other online forums. It's still tough...

A small amount based on recommendations made by a variety of online services, another bit by just taking the occasional chance. But mostly, the time-proven way of recommendations from friends with equally diverse and eclectic, but cultured, musical taste.

I go to local concerts and buy CDs of the groups there.

101.9 WRXP in NYC. They stream from www.1019rxp.com. Finally, freedom from the Clearchannel Evil Empire that ruined rock on the radio in the Big Apple for so many years.

Well, one way is XM, and possibly the most common for me has been at the audio store. It seems dealers are always playing something that sounds good and I get interested enough to stop and buy a copy. If I owned an audio store, I think I would keep a couple copies of anything that I was playing and sell it.

You guys.

Go to a local jazz club or concert hall ans listen to it live and then buy it directly from the artist. Except for a few stations, if you listen for it on the radio, all you will be stuck with is hyper-sexualized or hyper-violent mediocrity.

Still use the traditional approach (for classical fans): BBC Radio 3 CD reviews (Saturday broadcast), Gramophone, and MusicWeb. Finally, I use the eMusic legal MP3 site to try out a track or two before finally deciding on CD or hi-def download.

I usually browse Amazon for new music CDs, but avoid purchasing on iTunes, due to degraded audio quality. Also find new CDs via Amoeba Records' listening kiosks. Lastly, overhearing music at cafes & through recommendations by friends.

I listen to Radio Paradise. They have a good survey of the kind of jazz/folk that I like. I also check out Stereophile for classical selections.

I try to avoid "new music" whenever possible. Everything worth listening to has already beem made.

I still listen to the radio. It's radio via satellite these days. That new invention, the Internet, isn't so bad either.