Quite a fascinating article. https://www.npr.org/2020/08/19/903547253/a-tale-of-two-ecosystems-on-bandcamp-spotify-and-the-wide-open-future The gist is, Bandcamp is an indie label distributor, while Spotify is attempting models closer to major label structure (the latter of which Iâd previously sussed). The article, if nothing else, places me perhaps more pro-Bandcamp than I have been in the past. Though, especially from major label artists, itâs a little more perplexing to me the anti-Spotify parade. Per unit sales as managed by the major system have always been abysmally low, with more profitable revenue streams coming from touring and merchandising. On one hand, removing the overhead of physical product and the relative ease of distribution make it less an investment for a label and one would think thatâd somehow edge the possibility of it being made more beneficial to the artist. Though, that doesnât change the expense of music production, advances, promotions, advertising, etc. So, as I see, itâs simply the industry adapting to a new model, but business as usual. Expecting a tiger to change its stripes is a foolâs errand. The fact thereâs not some alternative for an independent artist within the viable streaming ecosystemâwhich Bandcamp itself expresses not being part ofâis somewhat problematic for artists seeking the attention of being placed in playlists, etc, which have become such a common byproduct of our digital culture... but, when has major industry ever cared about âthe little guyâ. Another idea to entertain is die-hard music fans who simply donât have the money to buy all they dig, or live in small apartments where collecting physical media isnât a viable option. The former may use streaming as the alternative to what great radio once was, and if theyâre still supporting the artists they cherish in a live setting, by purchasing a wearable memento from that experience, etc, how has anything really changed? Itâs, if anything, for that sector of individuals, opened up a world of possibility. For the latter, and those able to more avidly support with some degree of disposable income, Bandcamp is a fabulous option, albeit not as perhaps accessib (at Chicago metropolitan area) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHP3cGjM1h/?igshid=1h9ytqct83i8o
