The Evolution of Hard Rock Daddy’s Music Discovery Monday

By Adam Waldman (Publisher/Editor)

On November 10, 2014, Hard Rock Daddy launched Music Discovery Monday, a weekly feature to help hard rock and metal fans discover music from today and yesteryear.  Almost instantly, it became the most popular feature on the site for fans and artists alike.

Music Discovery Monday was a big undertaking that required a significant time commitment to launch.  If not for the tireless efforts of the HRD team, this popular weekly feature simply would not have made the impact that it has in its first year.

When this journey began last year, the goal was to give exposure to songs and artists that were getting little to no radio airplay.  As we began to hit our stride as a team, things evolved, and we started including new releases by artists who were likely to get airplay in the future (although these bands are in the minority of what has been featured).

Aside from the success of Music Discovery Monday, one of the personal joys for me has been discovering music shared by the HRD team, and taking nostalgic trips down memory lane in the Hard Rock Music Time Machine segment.

I’m proud to say that we have exposed the Hard Rock Daddy audience to 663 artists since the launch, and have reviewed 811 songs.  One of the highlights for me has been helping our audience to learn more about the artists themselves, with exclusive interviews appearing on a regular basis.

Since Music Discovery Monday is all about teamwork and artists, I wanted to take the opportunity to have the HRD team and some artists share their thoughts on this popular weekly feature…

 

DEBBIE BARLOW (Revolve) 

“I stumbled upon Hard Rock Daddy and Music Discovery Monday a little over a year ago…one of the best finds on social media and music-related articles hands down!  I personally reached out to Publisher/Editor Adam Waldman to tell him that I was excited about his support of our music community.

Each week, the HRD team shares songs that fly below radio’s radar, ranging from lesser-known artists to deeper cuts from both up-and-coming and established artists.  They have a great knack for finding bands and music that goes beyond your normal radio charting artists.  I love that!!  They also feature established bands on the national level, and Adam gets some great exclusive interviews.

Most recently, my favorite MDM featured an exclusive interview with legendary vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (MDM 10/19/2015) discussing his new upcoming album with Sunstorm.  Adam loves exposing the Hard Rock Daddy audience to new music that isn’t getting the attention that it deserves from radio!  We need more of him in my opinion.”

 

JON LOVELESS (HRD Music Scout)

“One year, over 800 songs and over 600 artists.  Rock is underexposed and under-appreciated in the mainstream, but dead?  I don’t think so!

No matter what flavor you prefer – from ‘60s/’70s-inspired fuzzy tones, to post-post-post-Grunge, to rap/rock to melodic rock to…well, you get the idea.  The point is, that there is so much quality across the wide range of genres, that there really isn’t a good excuse for a rock fan in 2015 to be unable to enjoy new artists and new music.  It’s out there, in abundance.

I think that’s where MDM and the HRD team comes in.  I’ve joked that we’re the Dow Scrubbing Bubbles of rock journalism; we work hard so you don’t have to.  Between us, we cover a wide spectrum under the general label of hard rock, but one of the real pleasures in the experience has been the lack of ego amongst the team.  We all have our own favored niches, but if I find a great prog track, or someone else finds a strong Active Rock song, what matters most is that we help expose it to a wider audience.  Nobody cares who finds what, nor who shines the light on it; the music is the priority.”

 

GREG TOBIN (Dillinger)

I am a huge fan of Hard Rock Daddy, and have been for a long time.  As a hard rock/metal addict, I am constantly looking to hear from new bands, as well as keeping up with my favorites from back in the day.  This brings me to a cool part of my week…Music Discovery Monday.  Deep cuts, classics, interesting interviews and details that you never knew about the songs that you always dug!

Hell, the other day I watched ‘Hoodoo Woman’ (by Krokus), and learned that Whitfield Crane and Myles Kennedy sang on a killer song together.  What a great way to start the week!!

Happy Anniversary Music Discovery Monday, and congrats to all at Hard Rock Daddy!! You all are awesome!”

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA (HRD Music Scout)

“It has been a privilege this past year to share some amazing music that hard rock and metal fans might have missed.  Between striving to find more exposure for talented artists who work so hard at their craft, and getting to boast about them to readers who sincerely and deeply love music, it has been a rewarding experience.  Searching out new music was something that I was going to do anyway. How sweet to be able to do it with a sense of purpose!”

 

NICK MILLER (Longreef)

“These days, there’s so much clutter and noise in the music that’s available to us.  Hard Rock Daddy’s Music Discovery Monday keeps me in the loop of great new rock, as well reminding me of inspired music from past years.  The quality of the featured artists and their songs is always high, and that’s why so many people pay attention to Adam Waldman’s writing.”

 

CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH (HRD Music Scout)

“Contemplating the inaugural year of Music Discovery Monday leaves me with some impressive observations.  I knew that we could find enough material to provide great new and old tunes every week.  There is a lot of metal and hard rock out there to draw from, so it seemed reasonable that we would have plenty to contribute.  Little did I realize the magnitude of ‘a lot.’  To date, we’ve shared over 800 songs, which is somewhat astounding to think about.  And, this is just tip of the iceberg.  I’m most impressed at the variety that four reviewers can achieve without duplicating any of our recommendations.

I’m happy to have found a handful of bands to add to my list of favorites in the past year.  I’m also glad to have found some lost gems, and equally sad knowing that some of the bands are done and gone.  I’ve found that the depth of talent in Scandinavia is mind-blowing.  I’m excited for what’s in store for the future, and the gems that we’ll find in the coming year.”

 

BEAU VAN (Outlaws & Moonshine)

The bands that Hard Rock Daddy shares on Music Discovery Monday are to me, unique.  This feature gives exposure to bands that don’t necessarily have the reach that some of the bigger bands do.  There are always great finds each week, something that sets the featured artists apart from the pack.  It was a great opportunity for OUTLAWS & MOONSHINE to be featured on Music Discovery Monday.

The commitment that Hard Rock Daddy has to spread the word about up-and-coming artists goes above and beyond.  Artists need Music Discovery Monday…not just for the push, but to feel like we are not alone.  Thank you Adam Waldman, and the HRD team!”

 

As we move forward, the evolution of Music Discovery Monday will continue.  It begins tomorrow with a very special (and personal) dual feature with artists who are about to start touring together (both of whom are cancer survivors).  It is personal stories like these that take Hard Rock Daddy readers beyond the stage to get to know the featured artists in a much more meaningful way.

A very special thanks to Music Discovery Monday readers for all of your support!