It's a new year, and Bandcamp Fridays are back! The beloved independent music service brings back their beloved mini-holiday today (February 4), and again on March 4, April 1 and May 6. On those days, they'll waive the fees they make off music they host - all the money will go directly to artists and labels. (And artists typically make more there than other platforms, just saying.) We've delighted in using The Second Disc to highlight some of our favorite catalogue and current acts on Bandcamp -
A Bandcamp Friday with Prestige: Classic Jazz Label Added to Indie Music Service
Just one recommendation of sorts for April 2021's Bandcamp Friday - but it's a big one: 61 great albums from Prestige Records are now available to stream and download on the service. Founded by Bob Weinstock in 1949, Prestige was an early home for some of the mid-century's most revolutionary jazz figures, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz and Thelonious Monk. The label's output, much of it impeccably recorded by engineer Rudy Van Gelder, was a haven as hard bop
Bandcamp Friday Picks, March 2021: Say Hello to Tenant from Zero
Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, indie music retailer Bandcamp has waived their share of revenue for indie artists and labels using their platform to give "the little guys" a leg up in the absence of touring and other moneymaking activities for musicians. The result was more music bought by more fans than any day on the site, a record broken on the first Friday of May. The Second Disc has proudly covered Bandcamp Fridays in June, July, August, September, Octoberand November - plus
Bandcamp Friday for a Cause: System of a Down Reunite to Raise Awareness for Armenia
We're only sharing one release for Bandcamp Friday today - but it's a good one: rock band System of a Down has released their first new music in 15 years for a cause they've supported their entire lives. The new tracks "Protect the Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz" mark the first time the quartet has released music since the albums Mezmerize and Hypnotize in 2005. The group went on a hiatus less than a year later, which ended in 2011 with a series of festival
Play Tetris Til My Eyes Fall Out: The Second Disc's Bandcamp Friday Picks, October 2020
The month's best new release day is back! Since March, indie music retailer Bandcamp has waived their share of revenue for indie artists and labels using their platform to give "the little guys" a leg up in the face of the pandemic. The result was more music bought by more fans than any day on the site, a record broken on the first Friday of May. Bandcamp Fridays have since taken place in June, July, August, and September - plus the first of an annual occurrence when the service will donate its
Funny and You Don't Know Why: The Second Disc's Bandcamp Friday Picks for September
On March 20, as the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic was just starting to be understood, indie music retailer Bandcamp made the bold choice of waiving their share of revenue for artists and labels who were cancelling shows and delaying album releases left and right. The result was more music bought by more fans than any day on the site, a record broken on the first Friday of May. Bandcamp Fridays have since taken place in June, July and August - plus the first of an annual occurrence when the
Summer Blessings: Super Picks for July's Bandcamp Friday
The Bandcamp Friday train keeps rolling - a light in the darkness for music lovers if ever there was one! On March 20, as the COVID-19 pandemic was putting the world on pause, the indie music service waived their revenue share on all music and merch sold, allowing indie artists and labels a chance for some steadier income as concert tours began to halt. The event was a resounding success, and has been repeated on the first Fridays of May and June, with another on June 19 (a planned annual
Chase Down That Crown: A Special Bandcamp Friday Shopping List
Bandcamp Friday is fast becoming as exciting a time as any other music street date. On March 20, as the COVID-19 pandemic was putting the world on pause, the indie music service waived their revenue share on all music and merch sold, allowing indie artists and labels a chance for some steadier income as concert tours began to halt. The event was a resounding success, and has been repeated on the first Fridays of May and June, with another to follow on July 3. This Friday, June 19, in
Never Want It Badly Enough: The Second Disc's Top Tracks For Bandcamp Friday
Despite the challenges facing the music business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some bright spots. On March 20, indie music service Bandcamp waived their share of revenue on all sales for 24 hours, allowing artists and labels to support themselves even more robustly. Thanks to impressive results ($4.3 million spent on music and merch, 15 times an average Friday's revenue), Bandcamp repeated the strategy not once, but thrice: the first Fridays of each month (May 1, which raised $7.1
Bandcamp Bonanza: Top Picks For Indie Music Makers' Sixth Monthly Event
On March 20, as the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic was just starting to be understood, indie music retailer Bandcamp made the bold choice of waiving their share of revenue for artists and labels who were cancelling shows and delaying album releases left and right. The result was more music bought by more fans than any day on the site, a record broken on the first Friday of May. Bandcamp Fridays have since taken place in June and July - plus the first of an annual occurrence when the service
Bandcamp Blow-Out: Support Your Favorite Artists Today For a Good Cause!
Despite the challenges facing the music business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some bright spots. On March 20, indie music service Bandcamp waived their revenue share for 24 hours, allowing artists and labels to support themselves even more robustly. Thanks to impressive results ($4.3 million spent on music and merch, 15 times an average Friday's revenue), Bandcamp will repeat the strategy not once, but thrice: the first Fridays of each month (today, May 1; June 5 and July 3). To
The Weekend Stream: August 24, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week sees digital reissues from some familiar names (Madonna, Daryl Hall and U2) as well as some new/old music from names you might not have expected, from '90s pop-whiz New Radicals(?!) to '50s piano player Cy Walter. Plus, a heartfelt recommendation for one of the week's best new albums! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying
The Weekend Stream: April 27, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. More late period Prince is released from The Vault, plus a new Barbra Streisand single, future Bandcamp Friday favorites, cuts from new Broadway cast recordings and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prince, "Magnificent" (NPG/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) The Musicology 20th anniversary celebration continues with
The Weekend Stream: April 9, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing weekly review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to usher you into the weekend. ZTT rarities, dream pop from down under, two Michael Jackson connections, great '70s songwriters - this latest Stream has everything, plus a call to support one of our favorite music services as they take on a big challenge. Act, Snobbery and Decay (Showtime) / Leilani, Precious Treasure
Something's Gonna Happen: Marshall Crenshaw's Expanded Debut Coming Back to CD
After coming back into circulation last year courtesy of a new label home and a Record Store Day reissue, CD fans can rejoice at the news that Yep Roc's new expanded edition of Marshall Crenshaw's self-titled debut will get a wider release on disc on February 17. Back in September, Yep Roc announced a double LP expanded edition of Crenshaw's hook-filled debut album for Record Store Day Black Friday. In addition to the classic album, featuring the Top 40 hit "Someday, Someway" and a host of
The Weekend Stream: April 23, 2022
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing weekly review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to discover! Return from your Record Store Day binge and kick back with some exciting finds, from charity rarities to new mixes of old favorites and even a surprising soundtrack find or two! Various Artists, EarthPercent Earth Day Initiative (Bandcamp) Though Bandcamp Friday is back in two weeks, the beloved digital service
The Weekend Stream: November 6, 2021
While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it's no secret that listening audiences are also digital - catalogue music lovers, too - and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we've introduced a new feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! Hank Williams, Sings / Moanin' the
The Weekend Stream: September 4, 2021
While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it's no secret that listening audiences are also digital - catalogue music lovers, too - and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we've introduced a new feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! Rick James, Glow (Deluxe Edition) /
The Weekend Stream: March 6, 2021
While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it's no secret that listening audiences are also digital - catalogue music lovers, too - and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we're introducing a new Saturday feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! Madonna, Like a Prayer
Another Discmas in the Trenches!
The holiday season is always a time to reflect - but it goes without saying there's something different about this year. Amidst a health pandemic unprecedented in our lifetimes - and a lot of economic anxiety stemming from it - getting through the year in one piece has seemed such a tall order. And so many did not - including not only those we loved up close and personally, but those whose art we adored from various distances as well. In such times that reframe the heights of human kindness
The Weekend Stream: November 16, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. Iconic Seattle punk, a new Elton John single and fresh Duran Duran remixes kick things off - plus another round of esoteric Christmas cheer! The Gits, Frenching the Bully / Enter: The Conquering Chicken / Kings & Queens / Seafish Louisville (2024 Remasters) (Sub Pop) Frenching: iTunes / Amazon / Bandcamp Enter: iTunes / Amazon /
The Weekend Stream: August 10, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. A legendary classic rock concert is back on digital channels, along with EPs from U2, Madonna and Daryl Hall, a remixed cast album from a beloved musical, and a new record from one of the most underrated bands of the last few decades. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. George Harrison, The Concert for Bangladesh (Apple)
Release Round-Up: Week of April 12
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Eagles, To the Limit: The Essential Collection (Rhino) 3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com 3CD with replica tour pass: Target.com 6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com 2LP Highlights: Target.com To the Limit: The Essential Collection celebrates Eagles' current Long Goodbye
Release Round-Up: Week of February 17
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today! Dionne Warwick, Sure Thing: The Warner Bros. Recordings (1972-1977) (Cherry Red/SoulMusic) (Cherry Red / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Dionne Warwick's new 6-CD box set Sure Thing: The Warner Bros. Recordings (1972-1977) anthologizes the superstar singer's years for the famous label, including five full albums and over 40 additional recordings. This adds up to the most
Release Round-Up: Week of November 18
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the many titles hitting stores today as the countdown to the holidays continues! Michael Jackson, Thriller 40 (MJJ/Epic/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) The best-selling album of all time returns in a 2CD edition for its 40th anniversary. The second disc features 10 bonus tracks including the previously issued outtake "Sunset Driver," "Got the Hots" (making its U.S. release debut), non-LP B-side