I also touch on this subject in the Picking New Albums post.
In my teen years, parties were a great place to discover new music. It seemed that the soundtrack was as important as the people at the party and the fun we were having. When hosting, we always took pride in playing something new that attracted everyone’s attention. That practice continues in today’s get togethers; I’ll keep one ear open for something new to add to my collection.
We were also very lucky in having a group of friends & acquaintances that were 3-5 years older than us. They tolerated our presence and were instrumental in introducing me to older blues music like Sonny Boy Williamson and Howling Wolf. The love of blues has stuck with me, and has broadened my horizons in the discovery of new music.
Today, I find new music from listening to the radio (largely Sirius in the car), and streaming services online. I would say I’m about 65% listening to music from my library and 35% listening to the radio & streaming. If you’re interested in discovering new music, there are plenty of ways to find gold. Grab the electronic device of your choice and start panning for nuggets.