There is an entire universe of music out there, and I have only covered one inch of it since I’ve started collecting records, CDs, and digital downloads to build my library. By new music, I mean music that’s new to you. Before you dive into your journey of discovering new artists and songs, you first need to ask yourself what kind of music do you normally like. Are you into specific genres of music, like hip-hop, rock, pop, or music from other parts of the world? Do you keep an open mind?

Are you into the latest releases in the music industry and the next up-and-coming artists? Then you should keep a close eye on the charts, the radio (while that’s still a thing), and of course the Grammys. It’s always refreshing to see which direction music heading today, like with Sam Smith and Adele taking the helm of British soul music or Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper bringing new flavors to the rap genre. Plus, it's always good to see the new artists get rewarded for the contributions to the industry.

Are you into older music? Music older than your parents? Your grandparents? Then hit up the internet; that’s what it’s there for! Just by using Wikipedia alone, I’ve discovered music genres that were completely foreign to me, and now I listen to them almost on a regular basis. Listening to older music can give you a glimpse at all the different stages genres have gone through and how some have died off, how others have revived, and how others have stayed in the mainstream.

A side note: When listening to music on the internet, let YouTube be your best friend. I personally don’t like Spotify or Pandora, because those give you access instead of the music itself. And when you get there, you might not find exactly what you’re looking for. Plus you are putting your experience in the hands of a computer algorithm when it should be in your hands alone. Shameless plug: There is a mini-series on Amoeba Records' YouTube channel called What's in My Bag? where the store brings in musicians, actors, and other public figures, and they let them shop for an hour or so, then they sit on a couch and tell the camera all the different albums, movies, and novelties they bought. This is certainly a great way to open up your world to music you've never heard before.

Are you into indie/alternative music? The best place to start with this is your locale. Listen to your local radio stations and keep an ear out for upcoming shows at your local venues. That way you can not only discover new music, but you can also meet the people that make it! And who knows? Maybe they’ll be the next people to rise to stardom!

A word of personal advice: make sure you are by yourself when you listen to a new song, artist, or album for the first time, especially when it is outside your normal music taste. The only opinion that matters for this new experience is yours alone. All too often people have called my music taste weird and unusual, but that has only deepened my appreciation for the different artists I've listened to over the years. If there's any word that describes the ideal music taste, it's eclectic.