Victoria and Leandra run Taking Sound Music, an independent music blog built around the records, shows, and rabbit holes that brought them together in the first place. They cover pop, alternative rock, and everything in between, depending on what they can't stop listening to that week.
Before we get into it, join us and listen.
Introducing: Taking Sound Music
Some blogs are built around a genre. Some are built around an algorithm.
Taking Sound Music was built because of Wallows. First concert together, first time that specific thing happened - where music stops being something you hear and becomes something you share (and we are all about sharing the good stuff). Victoria and Leandra still see them with the same people they met that night.
That's what the blog runs on. Not a curatorial thesis. Not a brand strategy. Two people who go down YouTube rabbit holes at unreasonable hours, catch opening acts nobody else stayed in for, and feel a genuine responsibility to tell someone about it. That’s the boots-on-the-ground stuff that is hard to come by.
Their tastes don't always match. That's the point. Some weeks it's pop. Some weeks it's alternative rock. Victoria builds the playlists. Leandra brings the opinions. Between them, the gaps get covered.
We wanted to know what music discovery looks like when it starts from a genuine place, and what keeps them digging week after week. So we asked.
What was the magic moment that made you fall in love with music?
It was different for both of us, but the moment that clicked for the two of us together to want to make a blog like this was probably our first time ever seeing Wallows together. They were the first band we both truly enjoyed and wanted to see in concert, so it brought us closer together by giving us the opportunity to have someone to travel with for shows and create new memories and experiences. We got to experience the songs we both loved in person with each other and meet so many new friends with similar interests that we still see Wallows with to this day!
How would you describe the 'sonic DNA' of your page/blog? What is the common thread in the music you choose to champion?
We could describe the sonic DNA of our page as a blend of the genres both of us love. Believe it or not, our music tastes are honestly very different from one another. You wouldn’t be able to tell too much from our page. We try not to overstep one another to make sure it’s a shared page rather than one person over the other. I’d say the music we champion rotates pending on releases and the music genre we’re both feeling at the time. Some weeks, we’re more into pop. Other weeks, we’re more into alternative rock.
In an era of endless uploads, what is the one thing, beyond the music itself, that makes an artist impossible for you to ignore?
The personality of an artist always makes it harder to ignore their music and their personal marketing. We always find artists more intriguing when they are so transparent about their musical journey and their processes for their music. We’re both always into listening to artists who can show us that even if they’re not our cup of tea, it’s worth a listen to see what they’ve been posting about so we can forward it onto someone we know who may enjoy it!
What originally drew you to music curation, and what keeps you hunting for new sounds every day?
Victoria takes control over the playlists. She loves creating a place for different moods through music and finding songs that perfectly curate within a theme or represent a current state of mind.
Which streaming service do you use, and why?
We use Spotify, it’s something we have both used for years. You can make playlists and folders for the playlists, see what your friends are listening to, see the artist’s monthly listener count and how many streams their songs are getting.
Walk us through your discovery process. Do you prefer the 'wild' of SoundCloud/Socials, or do you rely on specific communities?
A little bit of both. We find bands through opening slots at concerts or music sent to us by bands, friends, or we find them on socials. We stumbled upon a lot of our favorite artists just solely down the YouTube rabbit hole of watching music videos and other music reviewers. We definitely rely on social media to bring us new artists whether it’s us finding them online or them finding our blog!
What is one trend in the music scene right now that you think more listeners (and artists) should be paying attention to?
I think paying attention to the trend of backyard shows and pop up shows the way All American Rejects and Silly Goose did. It brought a lot of attention, excitement to fans and the rock scene again.
If our readers could only listen to three artists you’ve discovered recently, who should they be?
Joyce Manor, Lip Critic, and Garret Elias.
Where is the best place for our community to follow your journey and see your latest reviews and opinions?
@takingsoundmusic on Instagram!
Socials
Website: www.takingsoundmusicblog.com
Instagram: @takingsoundmusic
YouTube: @takingsoundmusic
Thanks to Victoria & Leandra from Taking Sound Music for joining us in the Q&A series,
