Every now and then I come across an info about it. On the one hand, I think the idea is a very good one, on the other hand, I think of all kinds of platforms that started with good intentions. Bandcamp is established, Subvert would have to reach that people first. So far it’s not even open. I’m just thinking about supporting them. What do you think about “Subvert”?
Why buy music when you can stream it?
Bands make their money these days through merch. Concerts are a way to sell merch. I don’t buy albums anymore. I have playlists.
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Because you don’t like subscriptions.
I kind of do both; I am on Apple Music but if I know I want something forever I will usually buy it.
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It was a rhetorical question. It’s an outdated business model these days.
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Because I’m 100% a physical media person.
Yes, bands make most of their money from ticket and merch sales, but they also make more money by me buying the CD or record than they do for 1000 streams.
I’m thinking more of small bands without big concerts and merch, without being in the big streaming portals. I like to go to small concerts, like 20 or 50 people. My way to support these bands is on site with a tip or merch purchase or just buy an album via Bandcamp, just bands that are not on Spotify and Co. And Bandcamp is no longer “ethically” what it used to be. So it’s not so much about buying but about supporting.
There are many artist that are just bedroom producers and don’t sell merch.
The ones I know already have trouble making video clips or proper cover photos, let alone shirts and mugs. They just wanna make music, nothing else.
I was involved in one project last year and it was utterly frustrating - they could make the track and failed in everything else, even when I offered to organize ALL non-music related stuff.
Ok, they suffered either from ADHS or PTSD (or both), but who doesn’t these days?
For them, Bandcamp is a godsend (though it took them 8 weeks to get their track on DistroKid).
Subvert sounds very interesting too. It’s time to break the power of the record labels and streaming services…
When my niblings were in school, they had CDs of all the popular music, all burned. Even then they weren’t buying physical copies
In 2014 Babymetal played their first festival in the west at Sonisphere. They didn’t have a record contract and the only way to get their album was to order off their website which didn’t ship overseas. You had to use a service which gave you a Japanese address. It was really complicated.
What they did have was charisma, new sound, and artwork. They sold more merch at Sonisphere then all the other acts including Iron Maiden. They didn’t actually get a record deal in the west until their 3rd world tour.
That’s the model. Play shows, sell merch.
Kids will just burn CDs. The days of physical copies is over as a source of revenue. What is making a comeback is vinyl.
Just the state of the music business.
Post videos to YT. Have a link to your Tspring site in the description. Make shorts with tiktok and point it back to YT
That’s how you bypass record companies and make money.
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Can I get you in touch with “my” ADHS park punks? I gave up on them - they need a proper manager who is also a lion tamer!!!
The park punk chick will look very good, dressed up as an Anime girl. Just saying 
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I’m not a fan of physical copies per se. I like the idea of downloading a file and then playing it back on a device of my choice. Just when I look at that 3.5 floppy disk drive from my keyboard, I get a reminder not to buy physical storage media.
Regarding Subvert, I’m just not quite sure to be invited to ride a dead horse.
I am a bit disenchanted with music services these days.
Back in the day, I downloaded/recorded/copied music onto whatever device and would make collections.
Nowadays, apps and “smart” devices prevent you from comfortably doing that. My smart watch can play music from a folder. But the process to copy a track onto the watch is tedious. So, imagine how tempting it is to just install spotify on the watch and you’re good.
Subvert will never be a big service, if it stays true to itself. It’ll grow, get bought out or outcompeted and then become crap. Just like any big service has.
My solution is to hold onto old apps and devices, otherwise you’ll be trapped in some service.
Cheers,
Antonio
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I only tame house cats unfortunately, and they often get the better of me at that
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My park punks are basically like stray cats, so all is good!
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Also because online platforms might one day decide to de-list something, for any of a number of reasons. It already happened with Steam a number of times and there was an uproar
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…cries in MiniDisc…
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I am actually sad about MD - they were awesome!
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Agreed! SO short-lived though in the grand scheme of things and a classic example of Sony pushing their proprietary stuff on the market, then abandoning it…
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because a band gets ~$0.05 for an entire streamed album and they get anywhere from $5-$10 for a vinyl album that gets purchased. It’s not why I buy vinyl, but it makes me feel good when I do a bit.
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