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[J-cob9000]

Yeah, I'm trying to get into the indie scene sort of.
I can't go to concerts or whatever cos my parents are weird like that and I'm only 14 so... yeah.

I've discovered a few artists. Supersuckers, Go! Team.. I really just want to listen.

What is the best/easiest way to download indie stuff? Doesn't have to be legal. Limewire doesn't have much.
I really don't want to pay for it cos I have no job to speak of and no of making money.

But yeah.. advice?

EDIT: and don't say med!afire thread, I already use that.

[imapiratearg]

*Cough.*

(You should get a text field in the middle of the page.  Type in "quack" and hit enter.  Search away.)

You could also try Google Blogs Search.

[J-cob9000]

I don't really search the med!afire thread, I just browse it. I have only just started to look for music.
and when I do, the link is dead.

But imapiratearg, i love you. just saying.

[J-cob9000]

yes, I'm double posting.
sorry.

But

can anyone reccomend any bands to me?
Hmm, I like...
The Decemberists, The Shins, The Unicorns, The Pixies, Band of Horses, Weezer, Travis, Pete Droge, Peter Bjorn and John, Peris Don (or is it Don Peris?), Starlight Mints, Sunny Day Real Estate, etc, etc.
I might like some more.. metal-ish stuff. Just not Opeth. I tried it, had a bad trip. Then, it was the newest album, perhaps older stuff?

[sean]

I hated Opeth's newest album and I love their previous works. Try Blackwater Park or Still Life.

Other than that, you seem to listen to indie rock/ whatever the hell you call that. Listen to Broken Social Scene and read some other recommendation threads.

[benji]

Last FM is a great site for finding bands that are similar to other bands. It's free. It's legal. It's fun. Try it.

Listen to Broken Social Scene and read some other recommendation threads.

The great thing about Broken Social Scene is that, once you've gotten in to them, you can start getting in to all of the other acts that have members in Broken Social Scene.

[J-cob9000]

okay. I shall.
and I'm actually listening to Sigur Ros right now and I really don't see what the big deal is. Like seriously. It's too.. dare I say it.. emo sounding. It's all ambient-esque and a guy singing really high. Yeah, it's pretty. But it's not really what I like. To each his own I guess.


btw, your sig made me laugh. Mostly because I actually like mcr. Not because it's cool, mind you. You get like, verbally killed at my school if you listen to it. So I 'don't'. xD

EDIT: I will check out Last FM. I never did get that site. I'll look at it again though.

[DoubleAW]

Private torrent sites are pretty yay.

[benji]

Hmm, I like...Sunny Day Real Estate

Sigur Ros (is) too.. dare I say it.. emo sounding.

Why must kids change the meanings of words I thought I knew? It confuses me so.
(Note: this is in now way a dig against you or a refutation of your ill opinion of Sigur Ros. But if Sunny Day Real Estate aren't an emo band, then what the hell is an emo band? I clearly don't know what that word means anymore.)

[Albatron]

okay. I shall.
and I'm actually listening to Sigur Ros right now and I really don't see what the big deal is. Like seriously. It's too.. dare I say it.. emo sounding. It's all ambient-esque and a guy singing really high. Yeah, it's pretty. But it's not really what I like. To each his own I guess.

If you haven't already check out Explosions In the Sky, I really like them and I tried out Sigur Ros once or twice and while I didn't call it emo, I think I felt similarly about them. And theres no singing.

As far as metal goes, if youre into Lord Of the Rings type stuff, check of Blind Guardian in the mediafire thread. Black Mountain is also there and might be a bit more up your alley, they sorta mix indie and old school metal/hard rock like Black Sabbath or Led Zepplin.   

[himynameisjulien]

Well, there's always torrents.
Step 1: Download Azureus
Step 2: Go to Mininova.org and download desired torrents, open with Azureus
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit
Played out, I know, but it illustrates the simplicity and effectiveness. BUT, it takes maybe an hour to download just one album. The reverse-catch is that you can download a bunch at a time and they'll all go at the same speed as just one (limiter on bandwidth built into the program? maybe to protect from detection?).

[Thrillho]

Doesn't have to be legal.

>_>

I forget what label they're signed to, but Mogwai, New Pornographers and a few other people are all signed to the same record label. Pavement too, I believe. It might only be the UK distribution, but the point is, go to their website and they have like 100 individual songs by their artists up there for free download, legally.

[RachelAllshiny]

Yeah, I'm trying to get into the indie scene sort of.
I can't go to concerts or whatever cos my parents are weird like that and I'm only 14 so... yeah.

I've discovered a few artists. Supersuckers, Go! Team.. I really just want to listen.

What is the best/easiest way to download indie stuff? Doesn't have to be legal. Limewire doesn't have much.
I really don't want to pay for it cos I have no job to speak of and no of making money.

But yeah.. advice?

EDIT: and don't say med!afire thread, I already use that.

Firstly...I see lots of 14 year olds at the shows I go to.  Sometimes they have to bring a parent along, but to me shows are often how I find new artists to listen to.  (Also, I won't listen to a lot of bands who sound okay on CD but suck live.)

But if you're not ready for that yet...

Many indie artists/labels will let you download for free via their myspaces/webpages.  They are not controlled by huge companies who think it's all MONEY MONEY MONEY, so they have a little more freedom.  I usually browse myspace, check out the top friends of bands I like, etc.  (And check this site, other music blogs, sordo, etc.)

The other thing, though - if I find an indie/local band that I really like, I always always ALWAYS buy something from them.  A lot of these artists work a day job (or two) to support their musical habit.  If you want them to be able to continue, help them out by paying for something.  (I'm old, so I do have a job, but it's just above minimum wage.  Plus I am paying for grad school.  But I'm sure you can babysit or walk dogs or something to make a little extra cash.)

The end...happy hunting.

[benji]

I got the impressions that his (her?) parents won't allow shows. They might not want to go with, either, so that's probably a moot point.

But I fully agree with the "support the artists somehow." Go ahead and download. When you can, buy CDs or a shirt, or something so that they can continue to produce the music you like. Also, if you're lucky enough to live in a town that still has one, hang out at your local music stores. Talking to other people there will help you find new stuff and if buy something there, you'll not only be supporting the music, you'll be supporting the local music store, which is an institution worth defending. [/soapbox]

[J-cob9000]

Hmm, I like...Sunny Day Real Estate

Sigur Ros (is) too.. dare I say it.. emo sounding.

Why must kids change the meanings of words I thought I knew? It confuses me so.
(Note: this is in now way a dig against you or a refutation of your ill opinion of Sigur Ros. But if Sunny Day Real Estate aren't an emo band, then what the hell is an emo band? I clearly don't know what that word means anymore.)

I like some 'emo' stuff. Around here we use it to name music that is slightly repetitive and whiny/moany sounding.

Well, there's always torrents.
Step 1: Download Azureus
Step 2: Go to Mininova.org and download desired torrents, open with Azureus
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit
Played out, I know, but it illustrates the simplicity and effectiveness. BUT, it takes maybe an hour to download just one album. The reverse-catch is that you can download a bunch at a time and they'll all go at the same speed as just one (limiter on bandwidth built into the program? maybe to protect from detection?).

I use torrents.  Limewire and The Pirate Bay/MiniNova together is a great combination

Doesn't have to be legal.

>_>

I forget what label they're signed to, but Mogwai, New Pornographers and a few other people are all signed to the same record label. Pavement too, I believe. It might only be the UK distribution, but the point is, go to their website and they have like 100 individual songs by their artists up there for free download, legally.

Will do some research. Thanks.

Firstly...I see lots of 14 year olds at the shows I go to.  Sometimes they have to bring a parent along, but to me shows are often how I find new artists to listen to.  (Also, I won't listen to a lot of bands who sound okay on CD but suck live.)

But if you're not ready for that yet...

Many indie artists/labels will let you download for free via their myspaces/webpages.  They are not controlled by huge companies who think it's all MONEY MONEY MONEY, so they have a little more freedom.  I usually browse myspace, check out the top friends of bands I like, etc.  (And check this site, other music blogs, sordo, etc.)

The other thing, though - if I find an indie/local band that I really like, I always always ALWAYS buy something from them.  A lot of these artists work a day job (or two) to support their musical habit.  If you want them to be able to continue, help them out by paying for something.  (I'm old, so I do have a job, but it's just above minimum wage.  Plus I am paying for grad school.  But I'm sure you can babysit or walk dogs or something to make a little extra cash.)

The end...happy hunting.

The parents are religious, no offense to anyone. So they don't really think that concerts and other 'frivolous' things are the way to secure an eternity with the lord. >.>
And we live in the middle of nowhere. In South Carolina. Anyone heard of it?

I got the impressions that his (her?) parents won't allow shows. They might not want to go with, either, so that's probably a moot point.

But I fully agree with the "support the artists somehow." Go ahead and download. When you can, buy CDs or a shirt, or something so that they can continue to produce the music you like. Also, if you're lucky enough to live in a town that still has one, hang out at your local music stores. Talking to other people there will help you find new stuff and if buy something there, you'll not only be supporting the music, you'll be supporting the local music store, which is an institution worth defending. [/soapbox]

We have Music Gator. I'm not sure how good they are. I've never been inside the place.

[imapiratearg]

lulz @ Sigur Ros being "emo."  Jonsi sings in falsetto all of the time, but that doesn't make it whiny or emo.  They also make really gorgeous music.  I thought it was slightly repetitive after starting with Agaetis Byrjun (sp?), but then I got Takk... and it totally blew me away.

Also, Braid are the best emo  band.

Why must kids change the meanings of words I thought I knew? It confuses me so.

Because it's hip to do so?  I've seen the term "hippie" used to describe just anyone who is liberal-minded, is a naturalist, has long hair and a beard, or wears a peace sign, despite the hippie movement being dead for some time.

[J-cob9000]

yeah, I'm assuming that was like some cardinal indie sin to call something like that 'emo'.
It was just the first word that came to mind.

[benji]

We have Music Gator. I'm not sure how good they are. I've never been inside the place.

Well it's high time you did. Unless this is another one of those things your parents won't let you do, in which case I see your trouble. 

[imapiratearg]

It's not a cardinal sin to do so, just a pet peeve 'round here.

[J-cob9000]

We have Music Gator. I'm not sure how good they are. I've never been inside the place.

Well it's high time you did. Unless this is another one of those things your parents won't let you do, in which case I see your trouble. 

I will go inside the first chance I get.
And my parents aren't that bad. Hell, half the families at my church have never touched a computer or a television in their life. We have both.
That is, a telelvision, we don't have cable or nothing.

[Sox]

I'm breaking my self imposed exile for a few hours, so enjoy this while it last.

I forget what label they're signed to, but Mogwai, New Pornographers and a few other people are all signed to the same record label. Pavement too, I believe. It might only be the UK distribution, but the point is, go to their website and they have like 100 individual songs by their artists up there for free download, legally.

I think you're thinking of matador, which has hours of music available for free.

Record labels are a great way to get free music. Either by the website, or by emailing them and asking for a sampler disc. Most labels will gladly oblige. You can grab literally hundreds and hundreds of fantastic songs this way in just a few weeks, since samplers are intended to sell you a band using some of their best/catchiest songs.
If you want to avoid paying for music, the best way to do that is to get soulseek. Honestly, there are only two releases left this year that I'm going to download before I pay for them, since I'm impatient. Soulseek is great for finding something a little more obscure or an entire album, instead of just a few tracks that you'd find chumming the bloggy ocean.
I can't think of many good reasons to download a lot of music anymore. The old excuse used to be "I need to see if I like them before I see them live", and the more I think about that one, the more it sounds like an asshole reason not to just pay for the album. Myspace and Youtube have made that excuse useless. The only good one I can think of is "I live in actual poverty".

It's not a cardinal sin to do so, just a pet peeve 'round here.

Why? Let it rest. Emo used to be a term to describe jaded hardcore bands. Now it's a descriptive word for overly dramatic. Everybody is getting tired of that chestnut and I think it'd be a good time to let it go. The original movement was nearly 20 years ago.


Finally, myspace and sordo.
www.myspace.com
www.sordomusic.com

Obviously, myspace is fantastic for finding unsigned and small time musicians giving away free music. Sordo is basically a condensed google blog search.

[BlahBlah]

If you have a good library nearby that does CDs go there. My local library has a surprisingly awesome selection of music, it's just not organised at all. I found Yankee Hotel Foxtrot in the Easy Listening section, and EVOL under Jazz for some reason. I don't know how American libraries work, but it's pretty much free here.

[benji]

American public libraries are free, but they do sometimes charge a small fee for checking out music (it used to be about a buck when I was a kid). Unless the library has a really good audio department, it's unlikely that you'll get a well organized selection. Some libraries don't have any music at all and you may need to ask a librarian to help find the audio section.

Your best bet may actually be a college/university library. If the school has a music department, there will be music in the library. If they've got a good music department, it will probably be larger and more organized then at most public libraries.

Of course, there are problems. Contemporary rock is usually not going to be a priority, so their might not be a lot of great indi rock albums lying around. But this is really an opportunity. When I was in college, I would sometimes go down to the AV room and ask to see the list of everything they had from the Smithsonian and just pick something new. Thus I was introduced to some things that are hard to hear anywhere else: Parchmen Farm prisoners singing work songs, Appalachian folk singers who never cut a record deal, the sacred music of the Ethiopian Jews.

You also may not be able to take things home with you if you aren't connected to the school in some way, but they often have listening stations in the audio department that you can sit at.

[J-cob9000]

Our library is awful with books. And I actually have asked if they had CDs to check out and the bitchy old lady was just like, 'This is a place for people who read and not those need music to bang their head to." or something to that effect.

And when I turn fifteen, I am getting a job, so it will be then that I start paying for *all* of my music.

I'm listening to Explosions in the Sky and they are pretty awesome. But there is no singing, damn it. I like to sing along with stuff. But I still like it. I can listen to them while writing a paper or something. Words distract me too much.

[imapiratearg]

As a recommendation: Television's Marquee Moon.

[sean]

If your gonna listen to post rock, try out Godspeed You! Black Emperor or A Silver Mt. Zion.

[imapiratearg]

I'd say Anyways made a better suggestion.  I found Do Make Say Think and This Will Destroy You a lot easier to get into than Godspeed You!... and A Silver Mt. Zion.  Sorry, Sean.

On that note, try Mono, that might allow you to bridge the gap between Anyways' suggestion and Objects', if you end up really digging the genre.

[sean]

Fine fine...

Try The Pirate Ship Quintet before those as well. They have an absolutely gorgeous EP out.

[DoubleAW]

Oh, and because I didn't read your post: I'm 14. I've been to a concert. Going to another one in a few weeks. Just sayin'.

And there are lots of others there, not even always with their parents.

[J-cob9000]

I was gone for a while and wow, what a lot of posts.

I'm going to make a list of bands to try based on what you've said.
First, I'm listening to Belle and Sebastian and I do quite like them.
To Listen
Broken Social Scene
Blind Guardian
Black Mountain
Do Make Say Think
This Will Destroy You
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
A Silver Mt. Zion
Mono
Pirate Ship Quintet

Have Listened
BAD
Sigur Ros
Distance

GOOD
Oh No! Oh My!
Belle And Sebastian
Explosions In The Sky


That's all I can remember as of now. Anyone care too put the To Listen list in a good order to do it in?

[blanktom]

The parents are religious, no offense to anyone. So they don't really think that concerts and other 'frivolous' things are the way to secure an eternity with the lord.

Man it is too bad Mineral arent together anymore. Chris Simpson fucking loves God. And Jesus.

Check them out, by the way, Mineral are one of my favourite bands. Oh and The Gloria Record, which is the singers newer band.

[est]

Dude, if you like Explosions in the Sky then you should listen to Do Make Say Think first.  They are very similar and both awesome.

[bbq]

You are 14? (This may or may not come as a surprise but) Hey, me too, nice one. First off, learning the correct usage of genre names and such is useful- people tend to be slightly tedious about it (not on this forum, but in various other places). Such as, emo- Doesn't apply to MCR and Sigur Ros in my book.

Anyways, if you like blind guardian, be sure to check out all the other power metal stuff out there- Helloween, Gamma Ray, etc. If you ever need recommendations for bands that sound like ones you already like, try last.fm or this: http://www.gnoosic.com/tripex.php

If you ever need fixing up to some download links, I'd be happy to look for you.

[evernew]

I didn't go to shows when I was 14. But I should have. Hell, RATM were still together (and not together again) back then. If you can sneak out the basement window, more power to you.

As for music -

if you like power metal, listen to Rhapsody. And, not that well-known but very enjoyable is a band from somewhere in Scandinavia called Turisas.
Don't buy into the super-specific genre thing. You'll get confused with all the drawers .
Godspeed is pretty weird music. Not very accessible if you're just dipping your foot in the deep water that is indie music.

And if you're not looking for more bands but ways to get them -

Code: [Select]

ww.beemp3.com
ww.hypem.com
ww.b3ta.cr3ation.co.uk/site/music-plus/
There's a w missing, of course. I'm trying to out-smart everybody including the people standing right behind me.

[bbq]

You mean rhapsody of fire, righ I thikn they changed their name to that.


Anyways, if you like turisas, places to go from their; Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Alestorm. Then if you want to try something heavier, try Menhir, Mithotyn, Tyr, Isvind. If you want something not heavier, but a bit more serious try odroerir. And no matter what you do, try ensiferum.

[Nodaisho]

If you like the post-rock stuff, try Agalloch's Ashes Against the Grain and Katatonia's Brave Murder Day.

[bbq]

I thought agalloch may be a tad too heavy.

[imapiratearg]

I was gone for a while and wow, what a lot of posts.

I'm going to make a list of bands to try based on what you've said.
First, I'm listening to Belle and Sebastian and I do quite like them.
To Listen
Broken Social Scene
Blind Guardian
Black Mountain
Do Make Say Think
This Will Destroy You
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
A Silver Mt. Zion
Mono
Pirate Ship Quintet
The Apples in Stereo
Beulah
Slint
Bedhead
Sloan
Braid
Built to Spill
The Softies

Okay, I'm done.

[J-cob9000]

To Listen
Broken Social Scene
Blind Guardian
Black Mountain
Do Make Say Think
This Will Destroy You
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
A Silver Mt. Zion
Mono
Pirate Ship Quintet
The Apples in Stereo
Slint
Bedhead
Sloan
Braid
The Softies
The Gloria Record
Mineral
Herme
Turisas
Finntroll
Korpiklaani
Alestorm
Odroerir
Ensiferum
Agalloch's Ashes Against the Grain
Katatonia's Brave Murder Day
Rhapsody(of Fire?)
Have Listened
Italic Is New
BAD
Sigur Ros
Distance

GOOD
Oh No! Oh My!
Belle And Sebastian
Explosions In The Sky
Meniscus

Thanks for those extra bands. I took off Built To Spill and Beulah cos I already listen to them.

evernew, thanks a bunch for those as well.

And... do you think we could like.. ease down on the recommending a little? xD That list is rather long.
I'm going to try out... Turisas next, I suppose.

[Liz]

To find all the music you need,

1) Visit http://www.google.com.
2) Enter

Code: [Select]

"ARTIST" "ALBUM" "rapidshare.com/files"|"megaupload.com/?d"|"badongo.com/file/"|"sharebee.com/file"|"massmirror.com"|"divshare.com"|"mediafire.com"3) Sort through websites.
4) Get music!

[bbq]

And... do you think we could like.. ease down on the recommending a little? xD That list is rather long.
I'm going to try out... Turisas next, I suppose.

Well, sure thing. The more stuff you say you like, the more specialized the recommendations will get.

[J-cob9000]

I need to update my playlist page.
In fact, I'll do that right now.

Will edit.

EDIT: http://midnight-umbreon.net/playlist.php
here.
all of my music currently.
I went through yesterday and deleted about 300 that I didn't like.

[J-cob9000]

So...
I'm leaving tomorrow for North Carolina and will be back Friday.
Just thought you should know.

[Nodaisho]

I thought agalloch may be a tad too heavy.

Maybe, I picked Ashes because it is the most post-rock of their albums, I thought he was already listening to metal from the mentions of Rhapsody. And then Katatonia just seemed a logical step since Katatonia and Ulver were two big influences on Agalloch.

[bbq]

Well, it seems he always listens to killswitch engage and likewise bands, which, whilst not my idea of good metal, is a bit heavier than what I thought he listened to, so any agalloch will probably be fine.

[Sox]

www.sordomusic.com. Sordo is basically a condensed google blog search.

[NotDave]

Have you tried The Weakerthans? They have been doing a good job of making me feel happy with music lately.

[FaultyRiot]

wow, a lot of fourteen year olds, me too. any one have any suggestions for me? Right now i like the Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, REM, Jet, The Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, and Insomnia by Electric President(the only song i have by them, but i think it is my favorite song right now)

[sean]

Guys, how about we just make a huge recommendation thread, sticky it, and just have everyone read that so we don't have to do this ALL. THE. TIME.

[Sox]

Because every person is different and desires different music recommendations. The recommendations are always the same because we don't consider what they're already into, we just want to mold them into us. Which is why we give them musical 'paths' which will result in them listening to the exact same (mostly overrated) bands as the vast majority of this forum.

If we don't sticky these paths, they still might get something really useful. Besides, a sticky recommendation thread would be effectively useless once it reaches ten pages of people saying "listen to band X" and becomes a giant circle jerk with people upping their post counts with "Agree with the X!". A sticky full of "SLINT" and "GY!BE" would be pretty useless to somebody looking for black metal. Not that it usually stops us anyway.
"Mogwai...sorta...metal...if you stick a q-tip all the way in...yeah, listen to Mogwai. And Pavement."