An analogy: when I want to meet new people I usually go to parties that my friends are having because I figure that if my friends like the guests then chances are I will too. However, every now and then I go to completely random bars and gatherings because I want to be exposed to a completely new circle of people who have no common relationships with me or my friends.
Similarly in music, there are times when I want to discover things that are similar to what I have liked in the past, but also times when I want to discover things that are completely random and unrelated to anything I have ever heard or liked.
Thanks for the insightful post. One question though: don't you think your highlight about last.fm and approach to HN is a little too homogenous?
While I can appreciate music suggestions that are in line with my taste, that is easy enough to find on my own (through the methods you suggested). What isn't easy to find are bands that sound nothing like what I've heard, but could be just as brilliant as the bands I know and love. This is where I think the suggestions in this thread are most useful.
And I would go even further to argue that because music is subjective and immeasurable it would make an even more interesting discussion.
Thanks too for North of America - I haven't heard them but will definitely check them out.
If anyone is interested in chiming in further while we are here, I'd be really curious to know the top ways people are discovering new music right now.
For me it is: Sirius XM U (formerly Left of Center); Hype Machine; Pitchfork; Songkick (for finding shows in my area); URB Magazine; Fader Magazine; OHHLA Top 25
I love the game and love the idea. The only issue I have had thus far is pulling off combos. Not sure if I am just too slow or if something about the keyboard is prohibiting me from moving from note to note fast enough. Has anyone else had this problem?
What would be really interesting is if you could build this into a facebook app.
This site is the first place I go every day because it offers enough interesting things about my industry in addition to a smattering of other eye-opening intellectually stimulating items. If anything I think the standard should just be a little higher for anything non-hacker/cs.
Thanks for all the responses! One piece of information I did not mention is that I am not an engineer/hacker but a biz dev/sales guy. I don't think that changes much but just thought I would put it out there in case it does change anything. Thus far I have been very selective about the startups I have chosen to interview with. From the advice here, it looks like I should continue doing that.