Bandcamp sells music DRM-free.
this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2025
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There is one artist on Bandcamp whose work I want to get but I understand Bandcamp is more geared towards indie musicians.
Is this true?
There's a lot of indie stuff on there, yeah. We've got a (slow) community over at !bandcamp@piefed.social if you want to see some of the things people on the Fediverse recommend from Bandcamp or share your own finds.
Yes, this is true.
Bandcamp and Qobuz both offer non DRM music purchases for download, I buy FLAC files from both.
There are probably a few others though my preference is lossless FLAC so that's what I've settled on for the moment.
Doesn't iTunes let you pay like $0.30 more for the non-drmed file for most music still, or did they kill that in the last decade?
To be honest, I buy CDs where possible, Bandcamp where I can, and shamelessly pirate the rest.
I just discovered Qobuz, its a French music streaming app that feels more like a record store than a streaming platform. You can also buy tracks, many of them in audiophile quality. Their pro plan includes a discount on lots of tracks.
What you dont get is anything algorithmic or AI at all. New music discovery is fully back on your hands but you'll have to decide for yourself if the editorial content is enough to offset that
I am splitting my purchases between subvert.fm (over bandcamp these days, look into it and make your own call) and qobuz is the only music streamer I'll use, they are at the top end of artist compensation per stream.
Discovery is a more interactive process for me now, but, i personally find it more rewarding. YMMV.
Even if you decide this isn't for you, please use subvert or bandcamp or direct purchase in those rare cases that they offer it.
Stay away from the big names in this space, go to live shows, buy direct merch, we need to do anything we can to remove every intermediary between us and the artists we love and that provide the soundtracks to our lives.
I realize that I'm saying this all from a place of privilege. To those who can't afford these things, i have been in that position. Do what you have to do, support artists as best you can, but only if you reasonably can. Look out for yourselves first.
I haven't purchased anything for a while, but I think Amazon still lets you download your digital album purchases as individual mp3 tracks.
For reasons unknown, I've had 3 separate accounts on that site shut down. I'm done with them.
Do any artists make substantive revenue from physical media? I am under the impression that the only meaningful revenue available to artists is from live performances. I get the impression that physical media is either someone else buying publishing rights from the artist, or basically someone selling the illusion of support. I could be wrong, but I see the whole thing as audio art ads for exposure/influence, that drives the live performance revenue source.
Physical media distributed through a major label deal hasn't been a money maker for decades.
physical media only paid the bills for a handfull at the peak. The biggest names sold enough to make money - sometimes they even lost money touring. Everyone else made money from touring (much smaller shows - few special effects, nothing expensive). The media was a bonus to fans and a way to get word to the next place that might book you when you are in town.
Beatport.
im not sure why you say streaming is out due to bad coverage areas? on spotify throw your music into a playlist then select download and then even if you’re offline it still plays
Tidal allows you to download music and play offline. It even has a "only play downloaded music" option as to not use mobile data should you be on a metered plan.