Six bands I discovered thanks to YouTube

There are many things some of us never would have known about were it not for our access to limitless information via the internet. I’m an independent music lover and am always psyched to find new sounds. Here are six of my favorite online discoveries of bands I’d never have gotten into (and paid my money to see live and listen to on record) if it weren’t for YouTube and the open internet.

Bon Iver

Bon Iver plays "Skinny Love" in Abbesses, Paris

Now Bon Iver is grammy material (winner of Best New Artist this year), but I first heard a live rendition of “Skinny Love” from “To Emma, Forever Ago” via La Blogotheque.

YouTube: “Skinny Love” live at a Soirée de poche, by Bon Iver

The Felice Brothers

Upstate New York’s Catskills region produced this band of brothers whose live shows are hugely popular. They opened for a Bright Eyes show I attended at Radio City Music Hall, so I googled them the next day and listened to just about every song available. Who else can rock out on an accordion like that?

The Felice Brothers play "Frankie's Gun" live

YouTube: “Frankie’s Gun” live by The Felice Brothers

Rodrigo y Gabriela

All I had was the name of this duo, and a recommendation from some good friends. 2 hours of YouTube videos later…

YouTube: “Tamacun” by Rodrigo y Gabriela, and a cover of Metallica’s “Orion”

Florence and the Machine

My husband put Flo’s “My Boy Builds Coffins” on a mix CD for me. Then I saw this viral video featuring “Dog Days Are Over”and was totally hooked.

Florence and the Machine perform "You Got the Love"

YouTube: “You Got the Love” live performance from the 2010 Glastonbury festival by Florence and the Machine and her 2011 performance of “Shake It Out” on Saturday Night Live

The Front Bottoms

This Bergen County, NJ band were invited by director Pablo Nieto to film a video for “Maps” after he discovered them online. After seeing the YouTube video, I ordered their record.

YouTube: “Maps” by The Front Bottoms

The Mountain Goats

His introduction to this NPR performance of “Going to Georgia” is so endearing. Also, super-nerdy singing face. And halfway through, he forgets the words – it’s awesome.

The Mountain Goats plays "Going to Georgia" on NPR

YouTube: “Going to Georgia” by The Mountain Goats

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