OK so I've seen a few posts recently about folks who are in 'ruts' or looking to write new stuff.

I am a great believer in seeking inspiration in music I havn't listened to before and in the last few months, due to various circumstances - losing my mum, new job, new band and a new philosophy on life - I have found myself speaking to many new 'musical' people in my life and hearing new music.

This has broadened my horizons as far as writing goes but also ignited my passion for listening to music that had sort of waned due to wanting to play all the time! I had forgotten how important listening was, I suppose if you are an author/journalist you should still be reading constantly.

So I reckoned I would start a thread for folks to post bands or albums that they have recently 'discovered' - whether new bands or just music that hasn't registered until it has actually been pointed out to you. MAybe try and post links to samples if you can.

I'm going to start with three that I 'found' recently

William Elliot Whitmore-http://open.spotify.com/track/3O9Ij1S8u3srnO3UEsT2nM

John Butler Trio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLBNhx0S4LU

Vintage Trouble - http://www.bbc.co.uk/later/#p00gjdn5

Have listen, enjoy or maybe don't enjoy but just keep listening.......

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

Wookie, heres what I do.

Sit in the kitchen with my guitar. Turn the radio onto some obscure music that I just don't play. Jazz/swing on radio 2 is a favourite. Then I play a game with myself. Work out how to play the song, before the song has finished.
keeps your ears very fresh.

Sorry to hear about your mum. You have my condolances mate.

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No no and no

Black Stone Cherry, you tube has em, really good south end, sorry don,t know how to thred it to you, but something fresh if you like the southern rock.

Cheers niki appreciate that. She had MND and I was her carer and right through her illness she got me to use her spare room as my workshop and she just enjoyed watching me work away while we played music on Spotify, just going through all her fave tunes.
That's how we found William Elliot Whitmore, only just been able to listen to that again recently cos we played that tune of his at her funeral.

I think I might have to try your method, specially with Radio 2........

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

sorry to hear about you mum bro. there should be enough right there to inspire you.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Wookie, so sorry about your Mother. Prayers for peace.

Mayuko Kamio, "Paganini 24 Caprices." This incredible 24 year old makes a 1727 Stradivai Violin sing on the then absolute master's works. She is jaw-dropping in her skill and feel for the interpretations.

Or for something rather different, all 24 episodes of Cudra Clover's Exotica Hour podcasts from Maui. Free.

Exotica, spy, lounge, crime jazz, Polynesian pop, surf...ooooh!

Am loving these suggestions..........

Keep em coming.........this is for anyone who needs inspiration for playing, writing etc......

How diverse can we get? Not just for weirdness' sake but if we get enough of a spectrum of styles, influences and suggestions then we can use this forum and solve anyone's 'block'...............................

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

Well uhhhh, I've been listening to some very opposite styles of music recently

First here is Vaka by Sigur Ros... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfrQdGL-8bU

I know theres not really any guitar so to speak but I like a lot of the melodies they use which give a bit of inspiration for stuff to play on guitar.

THEN lets go the total opposite to a place where most of you will want to cover your ears and turn it off really quickly

Assistant To The Regional Manager - The Devil Wears Prada... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ByWqaEQrg


Oh and I've also been giving RHCP Stadium Arcadium a bit of a listen again recently, really getting into it.

Hard To Concentrate - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKwTYN4MoH4

Especially enjoy the chord progression through the chorus yeaaaah.

Oh and heres a song I really like for the guitar part...

The Weakerthans - One Great City! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq_s_q0u2DA


So yeah I listen to a bit of a variety, it's not all screamy noise

Yo, wook, thank you for posting this thread and broadening my horizons!

I thought the John Butler Trio was the bomb! I had never heard of them. I did a little reading on John's main instrument, a Mayton 12-string, he actually plays as an 11 string (no octave G). The Australian guitar maker makes some pretty rockin' electrics, if you ask me:

http://www.maton.com.au/electrics/ms500.html

Thanks again, pal.

Hey no worries Bobster!!!

That is the point of this to let people hear stuff they may not have heard.

John BUtler just blows me away with his open tunings and 11 strings and then wah and OD through the acoustic too!!!

Keep the horizon broadening coming........

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

I am constantly broadening my horizons by seeking out and listening to obscure music. I love Sigur Ros as well as Nada Surf,The Land of Talk,The High Dials,Midlake,Rogue Wave, Amos the Transparent,Jane Vain and the Dark Matter,Apples in Stereo,Coconut Records, Two Hours Traffic etc. None of these bands are household names and I doubt if you've heard many of them but all this music is fresh and very listenable and catchy. Since I discovered Sirius Satellite radio and the Last.fm website my exposure to different bands and genres of music has become unlimited. Try going here for a 2 hr. sample listen http://lastfm.com and you won't be disappointed.A subscription is only $3 a month for unlimited listening and it can be paid through Pay Pal.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

i am constantly challenged to learn new stuff outside my comfort zone. praise music, punk rock and recently traditional country swing. all great music.
i just play whatever makes my ears happy. the best advice i give to new players is to be open minded.

+1

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!