HIP THERAPY MUSIC

One of the blessings of getting older is having seen and heard so much absolutely wonderful music. And one of the curses of getting older is, yes, having seen and heard so much absolutely wonderful music that it causes much of what comes out now to sound terrifically, spectacularly… derivative. Creating a genuine new sound is a truly tough proposition. “Hey, that one sounds like No Doubt.” “Oh, they listened to too many Pixies songs.” “Ugh, another Blink 182 knockoff.” When I’m out there looking, much of the time this is what’s going through my head.

It is truly difficult to create a genuine new sound. And while It’s great that so many current performers are fluent with past influences (intentionally or not), to my mind at least, that’s where it needs to stop. Blaze your own damn trail into the future! Originators may not always be rewarded but they are, at least in the end, respected. Or should be.

That’s where this website comes in. I LOVE rock music, in all its permutations. Classic, punk, alternative, AM gold, hard, Americana, you name it and I probably have a few faves to share with you (hit me up at heyyou@hiptherapymusic.com). But what turns me on the most is discovering something totally NEW. A band that’s just put out it’s first album — or better yet, first single — and knowing that I’m early to the party. No one else knows about it. I love that jolt of electricity and I want more. AND, I want to share it. With you!

I was initially adamant that my “discoveries” had to be from new, unvarnished acts that were fresh on the scene. I have backtracked on that, however. If I hear a song from 1979 that I’ve never heard before and get the same jolt, that counts and I’ll share it. A “lost treasure” can indeed be a genuine new sound if you’ve never heard it. I want to stir the pot for all of us. We used to gather around our stereos, together or individually, in cars, bedrooms, at parties and on the beach, and SHARE MUSIC. Again, that’s what I’m going to do with this website.

Sifting through the tons of new releases that come out weekly was formerly a task we entrusted to our favorite radio stations. It is indeed a gargantuan chore. Back in the day, our stations knew that entertaining and informing us (and they knew us quite well) would bring them success, both financially and culturally. Well, now, not so much. It’s about money and not alienating anyone. And to not alienate people, stations can’t take risks. Just can’t. Nopity nope nope. And so, sadly, we lose out on exciting new songs and bands. I know you’ve heard this story before.

When it comes to new music that totally lights me up, I’ve had some luck in the past few years and have written posts about my discoveries. Seasick Steve, Moon Goose, The Blue Orchids… performers that are either new or new to America. Bands that represent a genuine new sound. And I’m still looking… looking for more. That blast of dopamine I get from hearing a song that “hits all my happy buttons” is indescribable and unreproducible by any other method. I bet that’s true for you, too.

Let’s look together. I’ll keep you posted. You do likewise. We’ll be happier for it.

Close your eyes. Open your mind.

Trust your ears.

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