The blog is fantastic, artists get more money, and there’s even vinyl.
Instead, head over to Bandcamp and get your musical mind blown.
But more important than all that are two simple features.
blocks / Unsplash
Bandcamp connects artists directly with fans, and the artists actually get most of the money you spend.
Oh, and it has a killer blog for finding new music.
Then, if you like it, you’re able to buy it.
John Matychuk / Unsplash
The site offers lossless and MP3 downloads, streaming, and physical media.
Usually, that means vinyl, but sometimes it means you get a tape.
Physical purchases also include the digital version.
Crucially, when you buy music on Bandcamp, you connect directly with the artist.
you’re able to choose to receive news on future releases, concerts, promotions, anything.
Compare this to streaming, where the artist has zero connection with their fans.
As well as taking most of the money, streaming services and record labels control the entire relationship.
Does Anyone Care About the Artists?
But they may not know the truth.
Quality doesnt matter, and neither do the artists.
In a disturbing trend, creators themselves havestarted referring to their own work as “content.”
Meanwhile, these artists are the folks who take the hit when things go wrong.
Outlets like Bandcamp not only provide an honest marketplace for musicians; they also actively promotes them.
Fixing It
How can we help assure the future of recording artists?
One possibility is regulation.
“Intervention from governments could enforce higher mandatory minimum rates for streams per track,” says Clark.
“For example, the US government sets rates on mechanical royalties for CDs and digital downloads.
However, it’s much trickier in the case of streams.
The streaming services are either ad-supported or have cheap subscription rates.”
