I'm exactly the same way. Sometimes it bums me out, though, that it seems to get harder and harder to find things that really blow me away. It really is like some kind of addiction where I need more and more to "get high".

i actually stay in my "comfort zone" most of the time

will only check out something if it's "tried and tested"

otherwise, i tend to get whole discogs of artists i already love

This is why I'm so thankful I can download music to my heart's content. If I had to keep buying my albums, I'm pretty sure I would be disappointed most of the time. My downloads have gone from a 2 or 3 albums per download to 10 to 15. I need help.

Boredom, addiction, and wanting to stay connected to the modern world.

It certainly helps me feel good/less stressed and I would also find it enjoyable.

I'm hopeful that seeking out new music will always be of interest to me. I think it will, as it's been an integral part of my life since I was very young. There's so much music I want to hear, that I've still not checked out. SO much. At the moment, I spend roughly half the time listening to new music (and by new, I mean new to me, not necessarily music that's just been released), and half the time listening to albums I love but haven't heard in a while. This week I was once more blown away by Gang of Four's first two albums, The Feelies' Crazy Rhythms, a few Royal Trux albums, and Sleep's discog - I'd not heard any of those bands for a while and they're as great (and in some cases, even better) than I remember. Perhaps one day, I'll settle for listening to albums like these that I love, and not really bothering with 'new' stuff. I hope not, though.

Curiousity is what usually starts it for me. First, I'll find an artist I like, get blown away, then search frantically for anything similar

What keeps me listening to music?

It's the longing for an emotional connection via sounds and words. It's the hunt, the find, and the feast. In the end, it's pushing yourself away from the table after exploring the artist, album, or song, belching out enjoyment as if it were a feast like you've never experienced/tasted before, even if you've had this sound/song before.

Other than that, it got me through a good big growing up.

For quite a few years recently the music scene has sucked, with stuff like Coldplay and Nickelback, but things have recently started to look up for an Alternative Rocker like myself:

1.) Bands that I like that broke up are starting to get back together and tour and even make new albums: see Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., and even Soundgarden!

2.) Bands that I like are putting out good albums now: see Seether with Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray and Evanesance with their new one.

3.) We are hitting the 20 year 'anniversary' mark where the nostalgia industry is finally giving '90s Alternative its due! Look at the recent mega deluxe re-release of Nirvanas 'Nevermind'

90s nostalgia? Not looking forward to that much. :D I think 80s music will continue to have influence for a fair while yet on music anyway.