Discovering new bands, that often aren't new at all.

I love music. But there's so much out there, I frequently wonder how long a band have been writing new music, performing at little venues around the world, never having appeared on my radar. I often hear friends and colleagues commenting that nobody is making decent music any more, but I just don't believe this is true.

In July last year, Spotify launched the "Discover Weekly" playlist, which selects artists based on your listening history to produce a 30 track playlist updated once a week. I can't praise this launch enough. Not only have I discovered countless new artists as a result of listening to this playlist, but it's got me talking about new artists with my friends, who in turn are sharing their new findings.

It's not all about new music though. Many of the "new" bands I've discovered have actually been around for years, but haven't yet appeared on my horizon. Similarly, I've had a few artists appear on the aforementioned playlist I've known and loved for a long time, but it's still nice to be reminded of a track that I've not listened to for a while.

If all you listen to is BBC and commercial radio stations, I can see why you might think that the music market is somewhat stagnant of late. Regardless of what kind of genre you're into, there is always more out there that doesn't have the budget for radio plugging, or lots of screentime on the music video channels, or a series of adverts to broadcast their sound to the nation. If you're a fan of music at all, I'd really suggest looking further and seeking out new artists. Whether it be through music streaming, or getting to a gig earlier to catch the support act, or chatting to your mates about what they're listening to, go forth and discover new tunes!

Here are 6 bands I'm looking forward to listening to more in 2016:

 Creeper

For anyone who knows me, this will be the least surprising revelation ever proclaimed. I've unashamedly become quite the fangirl in a short space of time, but that's not hard when people this lovely have songs this good. From playing their first gig in 2014 to signing with Roadrunner in summer 2015 and announcing their debut headline UK tour for 2016, these guys have been gigging relentlessly from the get go and were featured on the front cover of the first Kerrang! issue this year as predicted stars of 2016. Self described as "goth punk", Creeper have a togetherness that sets them apart from other newer outfits, and an infectious energy that is evident from the moment they step on stage. I've been fortunate enough to catch them a few times in 2015, and they never fail to deliver, bringing out a bit more excitement and a bit more magic with every show. Morphing seamlessly into a 6 piece for 2016, their 3rd EP, The Stranger, is released next month, and if you've not heard of them yet you should check them out immediately. Yes, I know I am a biased. Seriously though, they're amazing.

http://www.creepercult.com/

All Them Witches

This Nashville four-piece were brought to my attention by my ever suffering muso mate, who, despite having reasonably similar musical taste to me, normally has his suggestions callously rejected by yours truly, often with little articulate reasoning beyond "I just don't like it". This was one of the exceptions to the rule though, and if it were down to a spot of magic, All Them Witches are certainly the right band to have broken the mould with their psychedelic brand of mystical blues rock. They supported The Sword on an epic US tour at the end of 2015, and if you've read my review of the Sword's recent London show, you'll see how much I enjoy this Southern stoner rock style, particularly when it's backed up by astounding musical talent, which All Them Witches display in abundance. Check out their latest release, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker. 

http://www.allthemwitches.org/

Klone 

A classic example of another band who actually aren't new at all, Klone are a French prog metal outfit who formed in 1995 under the moniker "Sowat". Renamed as Klone in 1999, they've only recently made it over the Channel and into UK music press, with Total Guitar magazine listing them as "possibly the best kept secret in France" in a round up of the 20 best albums of 2015. Leaning towards the mellow end of prog, they remind me in parts of Pain Of Salvation, a band I discovered years ago supporting Opeth at Brixton Academy. As far as I can tell, some of their earlier albums are heavier, in keeping with the ever changing sounds of good prog bands, and I can't wait to delve into their back catalogue in the near future. Some quick research tells me they supported fellow French metallers Gojira in 2012 at London's Koko, which is a gig I wish I'd been at, albeit at a better venue. It appears that this is their only UK show, which is a shame. Here's hoping they come back soon!

http://klonosphere.com/klone/

Greenleaf 

On the surface, Greenleaf are a classic stoner rock band, exhibiting that archetypal Swedish alt rock vibe that emerged from the likes of Hellacopters / Backyard Babies, Truckfighters et al. The difference is that Greenleaf started as a side project for Tommi Holappa of Dozer, with a revolving line up who add something different and new to each release. On top of the heavy rock n roll riffs and gritty vocals come some unexpected key changes and harmonies that set this band apart from others in the same genre. They're playing at the Garage in London in February and I'm excited to check them out live.  

https://www.facebook.com/greenleafrocks

Novelists

Another French export, Novelists are also a progressive metal group, but in a very different ball park to Klone. Their sound is for more structured, with djent style tight guitar licks and an easy flowing balance between melody and screaming. The technical elements could be likened to Periphery, or another discovery for me this year, the awesome Monuments, showing the musical talent that this band clearly posses. This lot are actually fairly new, signing to Nuclear Blast sub label Arising Empire in July 2015. Their debut, Souvenirs, has received mixed reviews, arguably because Novelists' brand of metalcore just isn't cool at the moment. If they'd launched onto the scene a couple of years ago it might have been a different story, but metal subgenre trends aside, I'm personally hoping to hear more of these boys in the coming year.

https://www.facebook.com/NovelistsMusic

Elder

By far the proggiest of my new music discoveries, Elder are one of those bands who have a small number of seemingly endless tracks on each album, complete with ridiculously conceptual titles and about 8 difference phases in each song. They've been around for nearly a decade, but started young, releasing their first demo in 2007 when guitarist Nick DiSalvo was only 17. They don't sound young in the slightest though. Exuding 60s / 70s psychedelia, it's easy to see how they've taken influence from Zeppelin and Sabbath, with soaring riffs and a distinct old school groove to their sound. They're not touring any time soon, but I'll definitely be adding them to my playlist of progressive rock excellence for 2016.

https://www.facebook.com/elderofficial/

So that's just a few of the new and not-so-new bands I discovered in 2015, through Spotify or from friends, and I'm sure there are hundreds more out there that I've yet to encounter. Do you have any recommendations? I'd love to hear them.