#SupportNewMusic with Nikki Sixx
By: Nikki Sixx
When I was a kid coming up in Seattle, trudging through the tortuous hormonal jungle that I now call my “teenage rampage years,” my main lifeline was music. It was usually new music—because that’s what juiced our brains—combined with a few longstanding favorites.
I can’t remember a time in life when a new song came on the radio and I didn’t feel like I was experiencing something special and important—when a good song hits, whether it soothes the romantic soul or ignites the fire of ten thousand fists, it’s real. I guess you can say that’s why music and radio are so important to me.
I am proud to support and believe in all styles of rock music. Rock has withstood every climate change, naysayer and new trend that has ever come along. It is an exciting time for music and having the ability to share new artists and songs on the radio is something that never grows old.
My mission with the Sixx Sense platform is to reenergize and revitalize music by giving new artists a chance. To not only keep rock and alternative music relevant, but also to help it secure its well-deserved place in history. Take time to refresh your playlist—it’s important. Cultivate the great bands we have worked so hard to find, but also keep the new stuff coming.
It’s not easy to find great bands, but I gotta tell you, I am really into a lot of new stuff coming out. We’re finding our listeners are engaged (yes, they have a voice) with new music, and so are we. Here are some bands (and a song from each) we’re into right now—some we broke, some we got into early:
“Could Have Been Me” by The Struts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_BaUrFnhk
We found these guys out of the U.K., and when we played them on Sixx Sense, the fans really reacted. Now everyone has fallen in love with their look and sound, a throwback to a time when rock stars ruled the earth.
“Machines” by Crown the Empire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVLOa592jgk
What’s intriguing about Crown The Empire is their ability to construct an amazing melody, and that they can still slay the stage with energy at the Warped Tour. More bands like this, please!
“My House” by Pvris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aQz-aKvyQU
When I first heard this song, what I loved about it was the strength in these lyrics, blended with the lush production and restraint.
“Lost and Alone” by From Ashes to New
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK0UsNxtfyA
If mixing high-energy ripping guitars with melody was easy, everybody would do it. It’s not easy, which makes From Ashes to New a must to keep an eye on.
Check them out below in the video, “6 Things You Didn’t Know About From Ashes to New”:
True artists make honest music, and I can’t think of a better job than to honor those artists in the way I did when I was a kid. As music fans, we have to spread the word and support these artists so they can in turn do the same for the next generation. We need to educate and converge how we listen to and experience music so we can refresh the system.
My advice is this: Don’t just look at what’s already working, look at what’s coming up. It’s the hearts of these young kids fighting for their beliefs that we need to tip our hats to. This isn’t corporate music—it comes from blood, sweat and tears, vision and hard work. What could be more important?
I am proud of iHeartRadio for going the extra mile to allow me to push the boundaries and #SupportNewMusic. Five years of pure passion has powered Sixx Sense and there is no end in sight. Thank you for listening!
Nikki Sixx is an international rock icon, founding member of Mötley Crüe and Sixx:A.M., two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Heroin Diaries and This Is Gonna Hurt, philanthropist, photographer and host of the syndicated rock radio programs Sixx Sense and The Side Show Countdown.
Banner photo by Andrew Swartz for iHeartRadio