I may not be a singer. I may not be a songwriter. Hell, I can’t even carry a tune or play an instrument. But I do love music, and I wanted to share with my blog followers who I’m listening to.

I like a wide variety of music from rock to pop to hip hop and even country. Five years ago, I would have never have thought that I would be telling my blog readers that I like country music. That genre has recently grown on me.

So, what’s on my iPod?

Taylor Swift– She is by far my favorite female artist. Her voice and lyrics are amazing and I can’t get enough! Swift usually sings about her teenage years, but I think that maybe now she will focus on her adult life. I listen to her albums on repeat in the shower. (I have an iHome in the bathroom.) It never gets old.  Her music contains elements of country, pop and rock. Though, I do not like her latest release “We are never ever getting back together.” I just don’t think it is one of her best songs and it actually annoys me when I hear it on the radio. However, I am very excited for her new album called Red which comes out on October 22, 2012.

At 22, this singer/songwriter has accomplished many great things in the music industry: “Often described as America’s sweetheart, Swift is known for her hook-laden, narrative songs about her experiences as a teenager and young adult. As a songwriter, she has been honored by the Nashville Songwriters Association and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift’s other achievements include six Grammy Awards, ten American Music Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, six Academy of Country Music Awards and thirteen BMI Awards. She has sold over 22 million albums and 50 million song downloads worldwide.”

Favorite Taylor Swift Songs: Love Story, Mean, Our Song, Fifteen

311-This rock band has produced so many great albums and so much music. They have an original sound and I have seen them in concert. I got introduced to 311 by my brother, who has seen them live more times than I can count. 311 is an alternative rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. “The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson, bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Wills and drummer Chad Sexton. In 1992, Doug “SA” Martinez joined to sing and provide turntables for 311’s later albums, rounding out the current line-up. To date, 311 has released ten studio albums, one live album, four compilation albums, four EPs and four DVDs. As of 2011, 311 has sold over 8.5 million records in the U.S.” They even have their own holiday: 311 Day that is a music concert marathon on 3/11 (March 11^th) which occurs every even year.

Favorite 311 Songs: Come Original, Down, Flowing, Love Song, Amber

Incubus– This is my favorite rock band of all time. But the sad thing is that I’ve never seen them live! I will definitely have to go to an Incubus concert sometime. I love this band but I do not like their early hard metal rock music. Everything from the album Make Yourself to present I really enjoy listening to. Morning View, Light Grenades, A Crow left of the Murder and Make Yourself are all fabulous albums. And Brandon Boyd isn’t so bad to look at either. I used to have a computer wallpaper of him singing with his shirt off.

“The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex “Dirk Lance” Katunich, and Gavin “DJ Lyfe” Koppell; both of whom were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore respectively. Incubus has received both critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching multi-platinum sales, as well as releasing several highly successful singles.”

Favorite Incubus Songs: Drive, Stellar, Nice to Know You, Wish you were Here, Warning, Anna Molly

Ken Andrews–Ken is the greatest artist you’ve never heard of. I have seen him live an actually met him. He has so much talent and was on a variety of projects such as lead singer of the former band Failure and ON, a solo project he did for several albums. I found out about Ken from my boyfriend’s co-worker who actually has a giant tattoo of the band Failure all over his chest. Ken also was the producer for multiple albums of the band Jimmy Eat World, an album of Army of Anyone and several Pete Yorn albums amongst others. You must check out Ken Andrews!

“Ken Andrews is an American musician and producer, based out of Los Angeles, California. Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended film school in Los Angeles before his band Failure received a record deal from Slash Records. He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and co-songwriter of the rock band Failure, and also played in Replicants, a cover band side project that also included members of Tool. After the breakup of Failure, he also recorded music under the moniker ON, and later assembled and fronted the band Year of the Rabbit. Currently, Andrews is performing as a solo artist.”

Favorite Ken Andrews/Failure Songs: C’mon Collapse, I get to Feel You, Soluble Words, Shifting Skin, Saturday Saviour, The Nurse Who Loved Me, Stuck on You

Dave Matthews Band– Who doesn’t like the Dave Matthews Band? DMB is arguably one of the greatest bands of modern times. It’s crazy that I have also never seen them live. I started liking this band from hearing songs that my youth group friends played in high school. Crash into Me came out while I was in middle school, and though I liked the title track, I was not a big fan until much later.

“DMB is a rock band that was formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Lyrical themes focus on topics ranging from love, sex, the enjoyment and appreciation of life, to ending racism, and political and anti-war statements. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was added to the band as a violinist soon after the band was formed. Moore died suddenly in August 2008 due to complications from an ATV accident. Grammy Award-winner Jeff Coffin has since filled Moore’s spot as the band’s saxophonist. Rashawn Ross and Tim Reynolds have also become full-time touring members of the band. As of 2010, Dave Matthews Band has approximate sales between 30 and 40 million copies worldwide.”

Favorite DMB Songs: So Much to Say, Crash into Me, Satellite, Ants Marching, Lover Lay Down, Everyday, The Space Between, Where Are You Going, Dreamgirl

Honorable Mentions: Other Great Bands/Artists I Love

Nirvana

Pearl Jam

Matisyahu

Three Days Grace

Weezer

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Katie Perry

ColdPlay

Sublime

Counting Crows

Train

The Beatles

Simon and Garfunkel

Live

Avril Lavigne

Nickelback

My Chemical Romance

Green Day

Foo Fighters

Everclear

Lady Gaga

Top 40 Songs I love:

Carly Rae Jepsen: Call me Maybe

Fun: We are Young

Gotye: Somebody That I Used To Know

Flo Rida: Whistle

Pink: Blow Me one last Kiss

LMFAO: Party Rock Anthem

Great Ways to Listen to Music:

Pandora: If you haven’t used Pandora, now is the time. I am listening to this site/app right now. I’ve been loving the Pearl Jam Radio station.  You type in a band, song, or artist that you like and they create a music station of songs from that artist as well as similar artists. It’s a great way to hear music you really like and learn about new artists or ones you didn’t know were out there.

Spotify: Haven’t really used this yet. I had problems downloading it on my computer. But Spotify is similar to Pandora and it is linked with Facebook. You can see and hear you’re your friends are listening to. “Spotify has millions of tracks, any time you like. Just search for it in Spotify, then play it. Just help yourself to whatever you want, whenever you want it.”

Cause let’s face it. The radio is just not cutting it, at least in the Atlanta area anyways. I listen to the Star 94 morning show as I drive to work each day. (And have been late many times because I want to listen to the Info to Go news updates which happen to air right as I am expected to clock in) But I really love rock music, so 99x and Project 96.1 were my favorite stations. However, just this past weekend, 99x on 98.9 has changed to 98.9 the Bone which plays basically the same stuff. Project 96.1 is now a top 40 station called Power 96.1. Too bad I will never again listen to those stations. I remember from high school liking the 99x jingle and how they played “new rock.”  I’m such a fan of 90’s rock. But recent rock music is a close second in my book.

What types of music do you like to listen to? Let me know in the comments.