Labels Directing Bandcamp Revenue to Their Artists
Coronavirus has put the live music industry completely on hold, putting the livelihoods of recording artists reliant on touring income at risk. On March 20, Bandcamp will waive its revenue shares for 24 hours in order to “put much needed money directly into artists’ pockets.” Independent labels, distributors, and platforms have announced similar practices in the wake of the crisis. Below, in alphabetical order, find a running list of companies that are waiving fees or giving revenue from music purchases directly and entirely to artists.
ANTI-
ANTI-, sister label of Epitaph and home to Lido Pimienta, Deradoorian, Half Waif, and more, is giving all Bandcamp proceeds to artists.
Ba Da Bing!
On March 20, Brooklyn-based Ba Da Bing! Records will be directing revenue from all digital sales, Bandcamp or otherwise, to its artists. “Our normal deal is a 50/50 split after costs, but there are too many artists in immediate need,” the label explained. Artists on the Ba Da Bing! roster include: Noveller, Julie Byrne, Katie Von Schleicher, Aoife Nessa Frances, and Cross Record.
Bayonet
Brooklyn’s Bayonet is giving all digital Bandcamp proceeds to its artists. In its history, the label has released music from Frankie Cosmos, Kevin Krauter, and Jerry Paper.
Captured Tracks
Captured Tracks will be giving 100% of the Bandcamp income generated by its current roster directly to the artists. This will apply from midnight to midnight Pacific on March 20, and all releases will be set to pay-what-you-want. “We encourage you to help support these independent artists however much you are able,” reads a statement. Bands on Captured Tracks include: DIIV, Chastity, Wild Nothing, and HXXS.
Citrus City
Cassette tape label Citrus City has always put revenue from its digital sales directly toward artists, but the Richmond/Brooklyn label has made a commitment to get funds to its acts as quickly as possible in light of the current crisis. The Citrus City roster includes: pedazo de carne con ojo, Look Vibrant, and Peaer.
Crafted Sounds
For the next two weeks, Pittsburgh-based independent label Crafted Sounds will give all digital monies and all revenues from tape sales to the artists on its roster.
Dead Oceans
Dead Oceans announced that it will direct 100% of digital revenue to artists. The label’s roster includes Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, Japanese Breakfast, Ryler Walker, and more.
Diatribe
Irish jazz, electronica, and classical label Diatribe Records has put a 20% discount on its entire catalog, with all proceeds from digital sales made on March 20 going directly to the artists.
Dome of Doom
L.A.-based label Dome of Doom will direct 100% of sales from its catalog directly to artists on March 20, including music from QRTR, Odd Nosdam, and more.
Don Giovanni
To coincide with Bandcamp’s decision, Don Giovanni Records will also give all money it receives on March 20 to the artists. Notable artists with releases on the label include: Moor Mother, Screaming Females, Painted Zeros, Chis Gethard, and Fat Tony.
Double Double Whammy
DDW’s Bandcamp digital proceeds will go directly to its artists, which include Hovvdy, Great Grandpa, Florist, and Lomelda. “So many great labels doing this right now,” reads a tweet from Double Double Whammy. “Build that collection, make it your own.”
Epitaph
Epitaph is making sure its artists get their proceeds from Bandcamp: “We're joining in their efforts into the foreseeable future, so go support the music and people you love!” Find music from Joyce Manor, TWIABP..., THICK, and more.
Exploding in Sound
Brooklyn’s Exploding in Sound is another indie label that always puts 100% of Bandcamp proceeds directly to their artists. “This Friday the good folks at Bandcamp are forgoing their cut, so please check out all of our band’s pages and download yourself some great music,” the label said. Artists include: Water From Your Eyes, Ovlov, and Kal Marks.
Father/Daughter
Father/Daughter began directing all Bandcamp sales to their artists on March 13 and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The label is also highlighting touring artists on the roster who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Vagabon, Sir Babygirl, Remember Sports, NNAMDÏ, Diet Cig, Tasha, and Esther Rose.
Fire Talk
Fire Talk’s whole Bandcamp catalog will be made pay-what-you-want on March 20 to coincide with Bandcamp’s initiative. Acts on the label include: Fran, DEHD, Deeper, Mamalarky, and Dreamcrusher.
Get Better Records
Philadelphia-based label Get Better Records will direct 100% of digital revenue to artists on March 20. Artists on the label’s roster include Empath, Control Top, Sheer Mag, and more.
Ghostly International
On March 20, Brooklyn label Ghostly International will give all digital royalties to their artists. The label has also published a guide on its website titled “Creative Work: A Self Sufficiency Primer’s Guide” that supplies artists and fans with ideas to “monetize their work, but also support the work of artists they love.”
Hyperdub
On March 18, London electronic mainstay Hyperdub announced that it will give all the money from Bandcamp sales directly to its artists through the end of the month. “If you can, we encourage you to dig deep into the catalogue and show support,” reads a statement. “Now is the time to check out that artist you were curious about.” Producers on the roster include: Burial, Jessy Lanza, DJ Spinn, and Ikonika.
Jagjaguwar
Indie label Jagjaguwar announced that it will direct all revenue to its artists on Friday. The label is home to Moses Sumney, Angel Olsen, Bon Iver, Sharon Van Etten, Jamila Woods, and more.
Joyful Noise
Indianapolis-based label Joyful Noise, home to Deerhoof, Swamp Dogg, WHY?, and more, is directing its shares of sales on March 20 toward its artists.
Keeled Scales
Austin-based label Keeled Scales—home to Big Thief’s Buck Meek, the Deer, Twain, and many more—says its Bandcamp revenues will go directly toward the artists
Luminelle
Luminelle, the label venture of Gorilla vs. Bear, is directing its shares of Friday sales toward its artists. The label also said it would list its discography as pay-what-you-want for “at least a week.” The label is home to Hana Vu, Das Body, Jackie Mendoza, and Magdalena Bay.
Merge
Merge has stated it will waive its label share of Bandcamp revenue on March 20, so all sales from the platform will go directly to artists. Acts signed to the label include: Waxahatchee, William Tyler, TORRES, Wye Oak, and Caribou.
New Amsterdam
Contemporary classical label and artist-centric non-profit New Amsterdam Records always gives 100% of their album sales to their artists. Composers on the roster include: Caroline Shaw, yMusic, Mary Halvorson, and many more.
Orindal
Chicago’s Orindal Records has announced it will also waive their label share of Bandcamp revenue through March 20. Bands include: Gia Margaret, Moon Racer, Dear Nora, and Friendship.
Polyvinyl
Polyvinyl typically splits revenue with artists. From March 20–31, though, the label will waive its take on digital Bandcamp sales, giving the money right to the artists. In addition, all pre-2020 digital releases will be pay-what-you-want, starting at $1. All 2020 releases will also be pay-what-you-want, but starting at $5. Polyvinyl signees include: Alvvays, Xiu Xiu, and Jay Som.
Prosthetic
Heavy metal label Prosthetic Records, which counts bands like Huntsmen and WVRM among its signees, will direct all proceeds from Bandcamp sales made on March 20 to its bands. The label has also released a pay-what-you-want sampler.
Run for Cover
On March 16, Run for Cover announced its entire catalog would be pay-what-you-want, with 100% of proceeds going toward its artists and bands. “If you’re looking for a way to directly support one of our artists who is financially struggling due to tour cancellations here’s your chance,” the label said. Artists like Field Medic, Georgia Maq, and Horse Jumper of Love are among the artists whose live shows have been canceled.
Sacred Bones
Along with waiving its cut of every Bandcamp sale, Sacred Bones has released a new rarities compilation I Fall in Love With the Light. It features unreleased music from Jenny Hval, Pharmakon, SPELLLING, Moon Duo, and more.
Saddle Creek
The venerable Nebraska label is sending all of its digital revenue from Bandcamp to artists. In a separate response to the pandemic, the label is also offering 15% off orders through its website, with the code “SUPPORT.”
Sargent House
Sargent House will direct 100% of all Bandcamp income toward its artists. “We can only do this for SH-released records—not all our artists records are through us,” the label notes. “But most are, buy them anyway, and donate on top if you can.” Artists signed to Sargent House include: The Armed, LINGUA IGNOTA, Chelsea Wolfe, and Ioanna Gika.
Secretly Canadian
The independent record label Secretly Canadian will be directing 100% of digital revenue to artists on Friday. Artists signed to their roster include ANOHNI, Porridge Radio, Faye Webster, serpentwithfeet, and more.
Smithsonian Folkways
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the D.C.-based nonprofit label of the Smithsonian Institution, will direct label revenue shares to artists on Friday. “Please help us support our living, touring artists as we all cope the impact of the current global health crisis,” marketing manager Jonathan Williger wrote on Twitter.
Sub Pop / Hardly Art
Sub Pop and its Hardly Art imprint are donating their share of sales from current artists on the labels. Sub Pop’s active roster includes Shabazz Palaces, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Man Man, and clipping., while Hardly Art’s features Chastity Belt, Jacuzzi Boys, and Lala Lala.
Suicide Squeeze
Artists on Seattle indie Suicide Squeeze include the Coathangers and Minus the Bear. “Please support if you’re able 🖤,” the label writes.
Terrible Records
Los Angeles label Terrible Records, home to Empress Of, the Voidz, Kirin J Callinan, Miya Folick, and more, announced that it will give all Bandcamp revenue to artists on March 20.
Trouble in Mind
Chicago’s Trouble in Mind is giving all Bandcamp proceeds to its artists on March 20. “Labels can’t exist without the artists they collaborate with, SO LET'S DO THIS. ✊❤️✌️,” TIM wrote.
Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
