What are you looking for here?
 

What are you (you, specifically) looking for more posts about on Musicbanter? When you hit the "New Posts" button at the top of the page, what do you want the top 5 threads to be about? (can be 5 different topics, or 1).

Just asking.

I'm looking to learn more about music and to find out about artists—or maybe even whole styles of music—I've never heard of before. That's why I tend to get excited about new members with interesting tastes.

So is it specific genres you're looking for? I'm asking this question because I'm wondering if you give a **** about local shows. The original post was just a general question.

Nope, quite the opposite. I'm interested in learning about stuff I'm unfamiliar with, regardless of genre. Like I said in my previous post, I love being introduced to whole styles of music I've never heard before.

Yes, I do give a shit about local shows.

I'll tell you what I'm NOT looking for: empty, vapid and unimaginative topics of the "this band is better than that band" or "who do you prefer, band A or band B" variety. Endlessly repeated threads like "what's your favourite album", threads that are already here but the new poster didn't bother to check before creating a new one, threads that put down a particular genre without knowing it, eg "I think punk is crap" or "I find all prog rock boring". And threads made by people with one post which are quite obviously an attempt at self or other promotion.

In a forum like this I like to join threads that are discussing a decent topic and treating the subject with respect, regardless of the views of each poster. I like to see threads about new bands or genres, just to see if they're interesting enough for me to investigate. I love to see threads about bands I like (though the taste of most here is too eclectic and removed from my own for that to happen often, but that's okay), as well as strange, weird topics like "if you could be any animal" or "if you had only two albums in the world you could own, what would they be?"

I like threads with humour, but also serious intent, ie where the subject can be serious but can be sometimes treated with a bit of levity, and I like threads that have something to say, and say it well. I like ones that give me information I otherwise did not have, and I always have time for a thread mourning the recent passing of a musician or related figure.

In short, I like threads that make me think, that show that the person creating them did some thinking themselves before posting, and also that can make me laugh.

Other than that, anything really! :laughing:

Oh, and local shows don't interest me as I have zero free time away from the house, being a carer for my sister, plus tickets here in Ireland anyway a) are too expensive and b) sell out months before the event. But it is nice to hear people's experiences of seeing a band, so I have plenty of time for that too.

I'm just looking for discussion which seems to happen each day I come on the forum. So you can bet i'm satisfied every time I enter the forum. And no, i'm not being sarcastic. I'm in the middle of a few good debates at the moment and I am genuinely enjoying them. Plus this forum is very open minded to hearing new things, that it gives me a chance to talk about albums and bands that I really like.

Exploring new music. My range is too limited than I'd like it to be (who wants to be my rec advisor? Eh? Eh?). There are way too many styles and eras of music I haven't really delved into. Prog rock being the most preferred as much as I have, still want more. Punk, jazz, no wave, classical, reggae, ska definitely needs work.

Discussions done in a civilised manner, with a bit of humour and colourful responses understandable enough. Conversations held about music is big for me, since it's hard to come across here.

And finally... To get away from the mainstream scene. Yes this is an escape. 80% of the music I listen to is trash, because I'm obligated to. Suffering from working at late night bars. Seriously this place will probably keep my sanity, since most music in bars I've worked at are played to help sexualise the crowd.

*gunshot*

:)

Discussions about new album releases (1-5)

and/or album club discussion

and to be honest, new pictures in the funny picture thread always make my day. If that thread could be constantly chugging out laughs.

Pretty much everything stated above. I don't involve myself as much as just silent troll, so anything well written and intelligent is good with me.

I also always check the "Albums You're Digging" and "Last Album You Bought Or Downloaded" threads. Always. I have found so much good stuff in those threads alone, and continue to do so.

That smile on your face gives me hope. :)

More threads about recent bands on indie labels that may not have a huge following here.

More actual music discussion. Too many members seem to only ply their trade in the lounge and when they do venture into the music forums it's only to make a lame joke, react to a troll or just generally try to be funny and failing.

Also, I know there aren't too many emo/screamo fans on MB but the hardcore and emo section is really devoid of discussion and it's a great shame.

Likewise, I'd like to see more activity in the classical sections. Just a little more! For awhile I think I was one of the only people keeping it alive, but I get that the genre doesn't have a huge hardcore following here. It's mostly just noobs posting in the "Favourite Composers" thread to get their post count up so they can spam the place.

I guess one of the bigger hurdles might be how you search for topics here. (So now I'm asking) How do you search for topics here?

I mainly ask because when I first joined I'd go into forums I thought I'd find an interest in until someone mentioned the "New Posts" button. It ended up leading me to a lot more forums. I was generally not looking in. I don't know if thats going to fix anything, but maybe more awareness.

I'll join ya in the classical forum, BD. Can't claim to be an expert but I do love lots of classical. See ya there!

Well I can certainly show you the way... maybe you will even find something for your journal.

Ah, already did "The planets", but sure, lead on as they say... :)

One of my favourite works. I actually saw the Toronto Symphony perform that live, and it was 1000000000 times better than listening to it on a recording. Do you know any other works by Holst?

I'd be interested but my main problem is I don't know very much about classical. So I think I'd mostly just be looking for recommendations without contributing much. Maybe we should start a classical album club?

In theory, that's a good idea. In practice, I don't think it would work so well since there are hundreds of different recordings of pretty much every piece by every big composer, done by different performers who interpret the music differently. Or actually, maybe one or two works by composers nominated could be chosen, and only ONE specific recording of that piece, so that we'd all be listening to the same thing. I would definitely run something like this but I'd have to see what the general interest is first. I won't nominate anything avant-garde for the unseasoned listeners among this community, more like the popular stuff first and then branch out from there...

Would that work?

I am here to learn about artists I am not familiar with yet, or perhaps have forgotten about over the years. This site has shown me that I can always learn more,regardless of how much I think I already know about a particular style of music, artist, era, etc.

Finding about other people and their interests can often be entertaining.

No, the local band stuff is not particularly useful to me.

I'm still not entirely certain why I'm here. I mean, I did pop out for a year after my initial registration, but regardless, I think part of it is just that I like the eclecticism here. I'm definitely interested in expanding my horizons and finding new and unusual things to listen to.

Also, I noted the lack of activity in the classical section. I'm not about to claim I'm an absolute authority on classical music just because I'm an undergrad music major, but I'd love to participate in any classical-related activity. I can even engage in more in-depth theoretical analysis, considering that's my specialty.

Really, being a forum veteran, I think the social dynamic of a forum is just as important to me as the topical content, so it's nice to see that here as well.

Also this. I've got a big fat playlist in Spotify of stuff I've snagged while digging through those threads.

I just like being around people who don't say 'who?' when I talk about the music I like.

I'm afraid that's as far as my experience of him goes. I know, it's like only knowing one Thin Lizzy or Springsteen album. But my ears are open... :)

Oh, and classical album club? Yeah, I'd definitely be interested.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. One of my biggest obstacles in getting more into classical has been not knowing which recording of which piece I should check out. I'd love it if there was a place for people to nominate specific recordings.

And with you, me, Zyrada and Trollheart, it looks like we already have four participants. :)

Okay, I'm glad that post made sense. I hammered it out in a hurry because I was late meeting my parents for dinner!

Hmmm, since it's obvious that this is something people (meaning 3 of you and me, lol) do WANT to see here, I'll set something up. Let me take some time and look through other album clubs to see how things are generally done.

How are you a forum veteran when you only joined in 2011?

Forums in general, I meant, not this particular one. I totally recognize the fact that I'm a babby newbie around here, haha.

This pretty much sums it up for me too.

Ah I see, that's alright then. We are keen for you to become a veteran here though. What do you think of MB?

MB is an active forum community with interesting members that talk about things that catch my interest. That's certainly enough to hold my attention and keep me around!

That's great I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)

I come here to lurk and see what shenanigans my favorite cast of characters have gotten into lately.
It's better than TV, really.
Oh, and music, too.

Hey! Nice to see you man! :)

I suppose if I were looking for something more from MB, it would simply be greater participation in the various clubs and events that are running.

Yea same here. Been part of forums since 2003. I'm hoping my interest here will last though and be well acquainted with a lot of members. :)

Lucky you then: we've been renewed for another season! :)

I am here to gain knowledge about music as a whole, share the music I listen to and hope to find a new favourite band every now and again. It's great that there is an added level of community that extends beyond being music "nerd" or whatever.