I know many people feel entrapped by streaming services, but I switched to Bandcamp like 10 years ago and have never been happier with my music habits. I buy music I like on Bandcamp Friday and store it locally on my PC/phone. Load up and take away as needed.
Sure, it’s a bit more effort to purposefully seek new music, but I love that process. Makes it a very deliberate listening experience.
I’m well aware of that (I’m a Bandcamp user), but I’m concerned about the fact they rely on US servers. There are a lot of independent musicians who only want to publish on Bandcamp, not on Spotify and YT. In the extreme scenario where the POTUS might instate a great Internet firewall, we - active Bandcamp users - might end up dependent on VPNs. Let’s see if there’s going to be any European Bandcamp alternative.
Yeah that’s fair. I suppose I haven’t really considered that because I treat Bandcamp as a storefront only, and download + maintain my library locally. So if the servers died tomorrow the only thing I’d lose is the ability to purchase. In some ways the great fracturing of online platforms is bound to be a net positive for most communities.
I know many people feel entrapped by streaming services, but I switched to Bandcamp like 10 years ago and have never been happier with my music habits. I buy music I like on Bandcamp Friday and store it locally on my PC/phone. Load up and take away as needed.
Sure, it’s a bit more effort to purposefully seek new music, but I love that process. Makes it a very deliberate listening experience.
I am afraid Bandcamp is US-based…?
It is, but if you only purchase on Bandcamp Friday then the platform doesn’t take a cut of the sales.
I’m well aware of that (I’m a Bandcamp user), but I’m concerned about the fact they rely on US servers. There are a lot of independent musicians who only want to publish on Bandcamp, not on Spotify and YT. In the extreme scenario where the POTUS might instate a great Internet firewall, we - active Bandcamp users - might end up dependent on VPNs. Let’s see if there’s going to be any European Bandcamp alternative.
Yeah that’s fair. I suppose I haven’t really considered that because I treat Bandcamp as a storefront only, and download + maintain my library locally. So if the servers died tomorrow the only thing I’d lose is the ability to purchase. In some ways the great fracturing of online platforms is bound to be a net positive for most communities.