There’s been a lot of turbulence recently around many of the tools indie musicians use to promote and sell their creations. Twitter was a huge vector for Spreading The Word, and that continues to go down the pan. Even when it works folk feel uncomfortable using it. Facebook has been moribund for ages. Spotify, though unpopular anyway, has deepened resentment with its 1000 stream rule and the sales of Bandcamp – the one platform that felt OK – have involved union-busting layoffs that has left a bad taste in many folk’s mouth. Soundcloud has just announced layoffs. In fact a lot of big/not so big tech across the board are laying off folk – can you hear the sound of bubbles bursting? 😉

Times like this make folk take stock. And the thing about that is it brings to light other platforms and opportunities that may have been bubbling under the radar. And without a reason to go looking, they’d maybe have stopped under the radar for many folk.

As a result of Twitter self-immolating, I’m now a regular user of Mastodon (and looking at other Federation apps, too) and BlueSky (which is where most ex-Twitter folk seem to end up – certainly those in my tribes). Even if the good ship Twitter rights itself and stops driving towards the iceberg, I’ve put down roots elsewhere that may just stick.

But what I want to highlight in this post are a couple of new potential Bandcamp replacements. I think a lot of folk are in “wait & see” mode with Bandcamp. Received wisdom is that the layoffs were bad, but it is still the only (best?) platform doing what it does.

However, I’ve recently come across a couple of other platforms that, while early days in different ways for both, are doing something really quite interesting.

jam.coop and Mirlo already let you put up your music for streaming and sale. Mirlo has subscriptions. New features will be coming fast, I suspect – but there’s something else that’s making me keep an eye on them.

To summarise in my own words, both have identified that part of the problem with the current batch of music platforms is that they are born out of big tech thinking and VC funding. While the teams that may have started these projects were in it for all the right reasons, that got diluted and lost and they got swallowed up in Silicon Valley attitudes and outcomes – which ultimately don’t work for the artist or fans. And regualar acquisitions and layoffs are strong signs that that model is wobbling anyway.

The solution to that is to try to not get into the situation where that needs to be done in the first place. These new platforms (and others like them) are building their systems with a view to exiting into a shared ownership/co-operative model.

Neither are being naive about this. There’s a pedigree in both teams (Mirlo has some folk who were involved in Resonate, so have a bunch of learning from that), and everyone realises that there’s challenges in trying to pull this off – not least of which a co-operative means different things in different countries with different laws etc. But there’s healthy discussion happening and they’re not doing things in isolation. Relevant supporting organisations are being spoken to, for example.

I find this encouraging. There’s an element of seriousness about these guys. I’ve spoken to folk behind both platforms and, for what it’s worth, I like the cut of their jib.

And it’ll come as no surprise to anyone that knows me that I *really* like the idea of an artist-owned platform, where not only can we sell our wares and engage with fans – but also have a say in how the platform is developed, run and what happens to any profit. Much better than lining the pockets of a TechBro or VC wonk.

So, I’m chucking my hat into the ring with jam.coop and Mirlo. I’ll still pop things on Bandcamp, of course. Can’t see me stopping that unless it really nosedives.

And I want to see these newcomers grow because I think their vision and intent (jam.coop here, and mirlo here) are spot on.

As such I’ve released an EP that is only available on jam.coop and mirlo. There may be more exclusives in the future. And maybe on more co-operatively minded platforms, as it’s the idea I like.

Stream or Purchase at:

jam.coop
https://jam.coop/artists/gribbles/albums/tomorrow-e-p

mirlo
https://mirlo.space/gribbles/release/tomorrow-ep

It’s a bargain-tactic price to hopefully encourage folk to jump in & test the water with these new sites…

I’ve not really said much about jam.coop or mirlo in this post – I’d encourage artists to go and check them out. I think with a bit of luck & a following wind they may shape up to be a viable alternative/addition to Bandcamp.

Like the man said – It’s time we stop, hey, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down…