Bandcamp in trouble?

Bandcamp, for years now, has been my primary source for purchasing new music.

I love the wide choice of genres from both new & established artists. Those artists may email you direct, which is cool. And Bandcamp Friday¹ is a thing. Also they unionized.

But over the last week there's been troubling news around Bandcamp.

Bad news Bandcamp

Along with the recent layoffs, Epic sold off Bandcamp (I had forgotten they bought them) after only a year or so of ownership.

Acquired by Songtradr (whom I'd never heard off), a music licensing platform, who stated they will continue to operate Bandcamp as a marketplace and music community with an artist-first revenue share.

During the acquisition Bandcamp's union were in the midst of negotiations with Epic. There was a petition (which I signed) for Songtradr to meet with the union too.

Then on October 17th, Songtradr essentially laid off 50% of Bandcamp's staff, which included all the union’s eight-person bargaining team.

What next?

Im worried that Songtradr will shoe-horn Bandcamp into their licensing platform, making artists jump ship, and closing the shop.

Also, with 70% of the vinyl team gone, and the editorial cut by two-thirds, some of what Bandcamp so special has already left.

Fingers-crossed that those remaining can make it work, and Bandcamp Friday will continue.

Footnotes

1. Bandcamp waives their revenue share on all music sold