Completely Conspicuous 370: Above the Din

This week, it's my conversation with Bryan Hamill about how music discovery has evolved over the years.

Show notes:

- Recorded at a noisy pub in Cambridge, Mass.

- Check out Bryan's blog The Ash Gray Proclamation

- Pre-gaming prior to Swervedriver show

- Bryan used to find out about music from radio (WBCN, WFNX) and magazines

- The inevitable teenage metal phase

- Older brother introduced him to bands like the Neighborhoods and the Replacements

- Record reviews and tips from friends were important

- Boston rock scene was pivotal, then and now

- Worked in radio for several years

- Started blog 9 years ago to champion indie rock scene

- Scours Soundcloud, Twitter, Spotify for new music

- Major labels are less important now

- Nobody plays indie rock on radio other than college stations

- Bands make money through playing shows and selling merch

- Records sales are no longer a factor

- Tips from publicists and bands

- Bands don't have to compromise because chances of success are slight

- As a teen, found music by combing through stacks at record stores

- Boston still has great clubs to see new music

- Corporatization of radio is bad for everyone

- Rock is niche music now

- As a genre, rock is in a down cycle

 

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The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.