I kinda flip-flop. I sometimes love finding a new artist -- if the music feels comfy and familiar when I first hear it. But I'd much rather buy a new album by a group or performer that I'm already familiar with than "take a chance" on somebody I'm unsure of. That said, in the last few years I've been delighted to discover Jack Johnson and Keb Mo and They Might Be Giants. Audiogalaxy here is wonderful -- I can listen to the group's songs before I go out and plonk down the money on a CD.

I'm the sort who will go to an exotic restaurant and try new items just to see what they're like. But at home my cooking revolves around a few standard comfort items.

I love re-reading my favorite books (I've read LOTR over 20 times; the Brothers Karamazov 3 times and counting). But I like finding new authors too -- if someone else whose taste I trust has already read it first! Thank goodness for libraries -- you can read stuff without committing to buying it yet.

So I guess for me it's a little of both.

I'm more of a bluesie than a folkie but I'm a folkie too.

Great thread topic, Mrzz!

Alex