Bandcamp Buys: Chris Forsyth, Sunwatchers, Metz, Archers of Loaf, Built to Spill and More!
I went nuts on Friday, buying music on Bandcamp all day long. Just when I thought I’d bought enough, an artist would announce a new pre-order or project and I’d buy again. I bought digital singles, LPs and even digital live shows.
The good news…Bandcamp announced that fans spent $7.1 million in 24 hours on their site, all of which was distributed direct to the artists.
I read a tweet from producer Chris Schlarb saying, “I made more money from Bandcamp on May 1st, 2020 than I have from Spotify in their entire existence.”
In today’s hit music market, streaming feels more like a consumption game, something you pretend is building an audience but really it’s just people listening and then moving on to the next thing released. I see this pattern in my teenage sons. They are excited for a new album “drop” but after a couple of listens, they rarely play it ever again. There’s always something new coming at them.
Independent artists don’t have the luxury of building a career solely on streams. They need direct to fan interaction and products to sell, even if it’s a digital only file. Bandcamp is providing them with this service and it’s putting money in the pockets of those who are consistently producing great music.
Enough ranting…WHAT DID I BUY?
Here’s a list of everything I’ve bought with a short description…
Archers of Loaf - Raleigh Days/Street Fighting Man
This was supposed to be released as a 7 inch on Record Store Day. RSD has been canceled but the 7 inch will be available through indie stores at some point so instead they went ahead and released it digitally last Friday. The new song, Raleigh Days, feels like a classic Archers song, perfectly blending their side projects like Crooked Fingers with the AOL sound of the past. And it’s fun to hear a classic Rolling Stones songs in those strange AOL tunings.
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
Luke Schneider - Altar of Harmony
Luke plays pedal steel for Margo Price but he’s about to release a solo LP on Third Man Records on May 15th. All I can say is this feels like a perfect soundtrack to a new Blade Runner movie and I love it.
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
Chris Forsyth - All Time Present
I bought three releases from Chris on Friday but I’ll list my favorite here. Do you miss the band Television? Do you miss guitar driven rock music? If the answer is yes, just listen to track one, Tomorrow Might As Well Be Today and smile. Chris does a great job releasing live music as well. The other two purchases on Friday were digital only live tracks. But I’m excited to add All Time Present to my Forsyth catalog. Track two, Mystic Mountain sounds as if we discovered a lost Neil Young LP.
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
METZ - Acid / Slow Decay
There will only be one Nirvana and there really shouldn’t be another attempt at sounding like them but Metz has figured out a way to create a sound that throws back to the In Utero era. It’s loud, it’s fast but the melodies are there and draws you in. It pleases this child of the 90s. Play these songs loud.
1. Bandcamp
Khruangbin - Time (You And I)
This was a pre-order for their new LP which releases on June 26th. This should be the song of the summer. Upbeat, light and funky…a singalong jam but still with the laid back sound which is what Khruangbin is most known for. There will be hundreds of remixes of this song for good reason. Play this one after putting on that fresh new outfit and walking around town (once quarantine is over).
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
Built to Spill - Plays the Songs of Daniel Johnston
If you love Built to Spill and you love Daniel Johnston, this is a no brainer. One of the best bands of the 90s covering one of the most legendary indie artists of all time. Pre-order the LP at the Bandcamp link below.
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
Sunwatchers - Oh Yeah? + II
I bought two Sunwatchers LPs on Friday. I don’t know how to describe this band. Are they psych or free jazz or both? I joke albums like these leave you intrigued but fatigued meaning afterwards you’ll need a break. It’s challenging but there are enough catchy melodies to keep you interested. I’ll link to what I think is one of the easiest listens below…
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
Mary Lattimore and Mac McCaughan - AVR
What do you get when one of your indie rock heroes from Superchunk improvises live on stage with a legendary harpist? This album. It’s out there and I love it. Atmospheric. Ambient. Whatever. Put in your in head. The LP is limited to 500 copies so the nerd in me jumped quick.
1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Bandcamp
Whew…I think that does it. If you’d like one easy sweep of my bandcamp library, you can just click here.
I also updated the Apple Music and Spotify playlists with as much music available contained within.
Forward this to any friends looking for new music recommendations from something other than a robot.
Stay safe.