Teen Music Blogs: The Top 5
Starting in the blog era, teen music blogs were the cool kids at school. They offered a curated bouquet of free music that was often influenced by the site’s tastemakers.
Still today, getting featured on music blogs can help musicians reach new audiences and expand their fan base. These sites have a large number of followers that are open-minded to trying different genres and styles of music.
The Wild Honey Pie
The Wild Honey Pie began as a food-and-music blog run by college student Eric Weiner, who later merged it into a music publication and a creative agency. It works closely with musicians, crafting videos and directing their visual identities to propel their careers. It also hosts a tight-knit event series, including “On The Mountain,” which takes place at a ski lodge and the annual “Welcome Campers” concert in the Berkshires. Weiner’s events have attracted the attention of online magazine Consequence of Sound and landed sponsors like Squarespace.
In the video for “Stupid Me,” a popular track on teen music blogs, Olivia Rodrigo sings of her ex-boyfriend while driving down the highway, a scene that recalls a similar moment in Test Subjects’ “Interstate of Mind.” But what sets the two tracks apart is their immersive mix of found sounds, acoustic/electronic instrumentation and cascading melodies.
Jemima Kirke and Richard Elis play Gillian and Oliver, a struggling couple that has trouble handling the stress of their work and marriage. Though the film isn’t easy viewing, its complex idiosyncrasies and unsettling dynamics make it a compelling drama.
EARMILK
A stalwart in the music blogging world, Earmilk has an extensive audience and is a great platform to promote new and emerging artists. Its wide-spanning coverage and genre diversity comes from its team of dedicated writers, musicians, and music fanatics. Whether it’s op-ed articles, mixtapes, interviews, or festival listings, the website offers something for everyone. In addition, Earmilk accepts submissions from aspiring artists and guest bloggers.
Founded in 2009, EARMILK was created to be a place where readers could find a diverse range of music. Its founders are unassuming online professionals and music lovers, and the blog prides itself on remaining open-minded to emerging and popular artists alike. The site is devoted to all things music, from punk to pop to singer-songwriters and beyond.
Located in the heart of New York City, EARMILK is a must-read for any music fan. Known for its high-quality content and insightful analysis, the site covers a variety of topics from youth culture to the latest music trends. Moreover, its staff regularly updates its content with fresh music and news from both established and up-and-coming artists. The blog also allows its fans to submit music for review, adding to its reputation as “a source for sick music you’ve never heard of.”
Pigeons & Planes
Pigeons and Planes is a popular music blog that offers news about hip-hop, pop, indie rock, and electronic music. The website also features playlists, music videos, music events, and interviews with artists. It monetizes through display and banner ads. The site was founded by Jacob Moore and is headquartered in New York City, New York.
While the site does focus on mainstream music, it has a unique niche in that it is more interested in highlighting emerging artists than big-name celebrities. This allows the writers to be more honest and critical in their reviews. Its staff is composed of young, passionate music fans who want to help emerging artists achieve success.
The name of the blog is symbolic of its mission. The pigeons represent the starving artists who struggle to make it in the industry. The planes, on the other hand, are the mainstream artists who have high profile and a wide reach. The site aims to highlight both of these groups, sending the message that good music can come from anyone.
Jacob Moore believes that digital tools have made it easier for artists to express themselves and reach a larger audience. He says that social media can be used to connect with a more diverse audience and create a sense of community. It can also be a tool for artists to learn from each other and expand their creativity.
The FADER
In an industry that constantly evolves with listening trends, technological shifts, and cultural changes, only a few teen music blogs can say they’ve stood the test of time. The FADER is one of those few. From the media to their in-house label, to their live event arm, FADER Fort, the multifaceted company has become a heavy weight influencer on music culture for over two decades.
Co-founder and CEO Jon Cohen shared with me how the company stays true to its mission while continually evolving their offerings. “We look at it from a holistic perspective,” Cohen explained. “It’s about staying true to what the brand stands for, having a solid plan in place and being adaptive when it comes to the ever-changing world of digital.”
Cohen explains that when deciding whether or not to add an artist to their roster, they start with a song. “We listen to it and decide if the song has a message or vision and if it’s something that will resonate with people.” He also says he focuses on finding artists who are capable of translating their songs into a live performance.
From there, they try to find ways to help those artists with their marketing and PR efforts. This includes working with a wide variety of music festivals and promoting the artists at their in-house events. “We work hard to give them the tools and support to make it happen,” Cohen said.
Indie Shuffle
Indie shuffle is a platform that matches up new music from independent artists and bands with users. It also provides a list of songs that have been covered by popular artists. This allows the user to listen to the original song side by side with the cover version and decide which they prefer. The app also offers a variety of features, such as comparing and rating music. It is a great way to discover indie music.
One of the most popular indie music blogs is The Line of Best Fit. This UK-based site has been around for over a decade and is regarded as one of the world’s most trusted voices for music discovery, read by millions of fans every month in search of their next favorite band. The site has to-the-point track features, videos and quick reviews. The website also hosts a ton of concert reviews, mainly rock shows.
This blog specializes in all things jangle pop, indie guitar, and indie rock. The site is dedicated to highlighting talented and promising under-the-radar DIY artists from across the United States and beyond. This blog has been in operation for more than 15 years and is one of the top indie music blogs on the web.
Indie shuffle uses a premium submission system where musicians can pay a flat fee to have their music reviewed by actual humans. This is a much more affordable option than hiring a traditional publicist, which can cost thousands of dollars. In return for a fee, Indie shuffle gives the artist or band a number of credits to use for future submissions.
Hillydilly
Hillydilly is a music discovery platform that curates well-written playlists by genre and mood. It also offers a variety of features to help music creators connect with their target audience. For example, it lets users create music playlists based on moods and activities such as romance and workouts. It also has a search feature that allows users to find music by artist or song.
Its interface is easy to use, and the app has an intuitive user experience that will appeal to young people. It also has an extensive database of new artists and tracks that will keep listeners engaged. Users can also create their own playlists to track new releases and favorite songs. This app is available on iOS and Android devices.
Teen Music Blogs Summary
Getting featured on one or more of these music blogs can open doors and bring in new fans. However, it’s important for musicians to research potential blogs that align with their genre and style. They should also find out who writes for the blog and how to contact them.
If a musician wants to submit their music to teen music blogs, they should first establish a (virtual) relationship with the blogger. They should follow the blog’s social media and start liking its content. They should also address the blogger personally, and avoid using generic terms like dude, bro, or brah when contacting them. Music bloggers are a lot more likely to take music submissions from artists they actually care about.