Spotify Question

Beatnik

Beatnik

What's this ?
I have started using Spotify in the truck. I added 20 or so bands the my artist list in my library and use the "Your Daily Mix" for play from that.

Seems it only plays bands from that artist list I made and the same ones over and over. I haven't favorited/hearted/liked anything because I want it to expand from these bands. Am I doing something wrong ?
 
Register to hide this ad
Sticking to the subject at hand (Spotify), the longer you listen, the better Spotify gets at putting together Daily Mixes and other algorithm-based "suggestions." Spotify is excellent at grouping genres, so when I play Sinatra/Basie at my father-in-law's house, it does not switch over to Black Sabbath when that is done. It might hit some Doris Day or Santo & Johnny.

I don't limit the bands Spotify picks for me and, as a result, have been introduced to some more groovy music and reminded of old favorites. I have 6 Spotify Daily Mixes. #1 has Cake, Flamin' Groovies, X, and others. #2 has Ella Fitzgerald, Al Martino, etc.

I don't know if there is a particular setting for you. I'm betting the more you listen and develop playlists or listen to other playlists, Spotify will expand your options and start growing on you.
 
My Spotify experience is similar to KeninDC's. The more you listen, the better Spotify gets at giving you recommendations. I now have six daily mix playlists organized loosely according to genre. The lists get updated frequently.

Spotify also gives me a "Discover Weekly" playlist that updates every Monday and a "Release Radar" playlist (covering new releases by artists I listen to, plus other recommendations) that updates every Friday.

Other than the above, it also provides
  • Artist and playlist recommendations based on my recent listening activity
  • A year-end most listened-to song list
  • A Tastebreakers playlist covering artists and genres that I don't normally explore
Overall, I'm very happy with the user experience.
 
Here as well. The daily mix is based on kind of music rather than artists and bands. I always get something new that I never knew existed and I often "drill down" on particular tracks of the mix and discover new bands that are worthwhile. But that is on the PC, no idea if it works the same on mobile and embedded devices.
 
So are you adding artists/albums to your library or just liking/disliking stuff as it plays ?

If you have multiple mixes liking something in one does not affect other mixes ?
 
Beatnik said:
So are you adding artists/albums to your library or just liking/disliking stuff as it plays ?

If you have multiple mixes liking something in one does not affect other mixes ?
Click to expand...

Let's see - when I started with Spotify, I searched for some familiar artists and genres - Bollywood, Jazz, Rock, etc. and started to listening to those. Then, I'd go into the various genres and browse them, trying out playlists and new artists to see if I liked them. For example, I found a playlist called "State of Jazz", which features modern artists and I started "following" it. Once I did this, Spotify started recommending other songs/albums by artists on that playlist, and even other similar artists. I did the same in other genres as well.

One thing led to another and soon I had this wide selection of mixes, artists, genres, moods ...

So, a little bit of a push is needed where you try out something new to give the algorithms an indication of where you'd like to go.

I do not see a like/dislike button in my Spotify interface (on iPhone). I suppose skipping a song is used to indicate dislike. "Following" an artist or playlist probably indicates you like them.
 
I will add a shot of what my Android screen looks like, it has a heart on the left and a - to the right. Going to make a few playlist and go from there to see what I end up with (prog rock, hard rock, metal etc) I was obviously going about this wrong. Thanks for the tips everyone !
 
Last edited:
Turns out I have the like/dislike options too. Seems to depend on the playlist I pick. In some cases, Spotify does not allow me to like/dislike a song. I am not sure how that works, but as I said, I don't think I have ever used those buttons before.

index.php

index.php
 
If made a play list, named it, selected/added songs like it asked and now it seems to want to just shuffle just those songs ? Arrg
 
I prefer the playlists curated by Spotify. Those contain not only artists you normally listen to in the genre, but also others that Spotify recommends. Plus those lists keep changing, keeping things fresh.

Also look in your "Home" screen. You should be seeing headings such as: "For fans of xxxx artist". Under each such heading you'll find recommendations for similar artists, playlists, albums, etc.
 
Ok, I've deleted all bands, albums, songs and added some Spotify play lists. Going to start liking/disliking stuff and see where it goes.

Screenshot_2019-02-21-11-47-01.png
 
Also use the Radio feature via the 3 dots upper right on artist page or right of current track.

Scroll down to 'Go to Radio'. It will create a temp Radio station (playlist) based on Artist, Album, or Track. The more use and heart interaction the better it gets. Great discovery tool!

Use 3 dot menu again during radio sessions to create a playlist of favorite tracks. The larger your library becomes, the better the algorithm shines.
 
So that's what the hearts are for.

I like making my own playlists. Like 90s indie, etc. My kids track me (I have a family account). I did one recently based on the songs listed in the new Beastie Boys book that they liked hearing at NYC's Danceteria club. Discovered some new stuff like APB's "I'd Like to Shoot You Down."

 
Beatnik said:
Ok, I've deleted all bands, albums, songs and added some Spotify play lists. Going to start liking/disliking stuff and see where it goes.

View attachment 1427189
Click to expand...

You have been creating your discrete playlist. Only you can add or delete from a list you create. Spotify will look at that playlist and take some guesses and offer you some lists they think you may like. Dig deeper into the home page offerings and your library will grow.

Good luck and listening!
 
What “list” are you playing from? If you playing your liked list then that’s all you’ll get.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom