Drag City

where was that quote about how a majority of download codes are never used?

I think it was in Numero Group's announcement that they'd no longer be doing download codes - they reckoned only 5% were redeemed. I wonder if that's 5% of codes in all inventory purchased, or 5% of all the codes issued for a release?

I know that Fat Cat have stopped including codes (as of the recent C Duncan album).

I see both sides of the argument here. I don't mind that DC releases aren't on Spotify, etc, in full, but it is useful to be able to check out a track or two. The lack of download codes is more of an issue for me - it's nice to have the convenience of a digital version. If I know upfront there won't be a code I generally just go for the CD - Drag City or anyone else.

not putting your artists' music on streaming services...deprives them of the small quarterly checks they might otherwise get

yeah, you're right, Purling Hiss could probably really use that check to almost afford an oil change for their van

xp ordered some things last month from numero and they sent along a code to download mp3s immediately. is it a 2017 thing? or did they just mean they wouldn't include a piece of paper with a download code with vinyl. i definitely like ordering a physical album and being able to hear the music right away ...

(it's been said before, but) the biggest impediment for me in keeping up with DC are those unreadable email updates. just no excuse.

xp If you order direct you get a download, I think.

Re: Numero - Yep, direct orders get an instant download but they'll no longer include the bit of paper with the vinyl.

yeah, you're right, Purling Hiss could probably really use that check to almost afford an oil change for their van

I can't speak for Purling Hiss, but if you offer me the following proposition: "people get your music for free and you get nothing, or people still get your music for free and you get five bucks," I'm not so steely in my principles that I'm gonna say "KEEP YOUR FILTHY LUCRE, DON'T YOU SEE THERE ARE DEEPER THINGS IN PLAY HERE"

still think a method of unlocking albums on streaming platforms would be cooler than download codes. Don't want to manage any local digital content.

doesn't bandcamp kinda offer that via their app?

What... since when did Numero ever do download codes? I thought they were one of the labels that never did that...

at least a coupla years -- you order from their website and they send you an email w/ info about DL-ing mp3s.

Oh, but there was never any paper slip in the vinyl as was implied above?

i don't remember -- i think i've just gotten an email about having "downloads waiting" or something ...

Guess I was always out of luck getting their LPs from brick and mortar.

got no use for a DL code that doesn't offer FLAC files, I'll just rip the damn vinyl myself instead of dealing with MP3s (let's not derail this thread, they sound like shit to my ears and I am not interested in yr arguments to the contrary). Numero is a big offender in this regard. I just bought a $45 Unwound box set, give me the fucking FLACs.

this is one reason why I like Bandcamp

drag city puts out some great fucking records -- looking forward to the new Alasdair Roberts LP! And Six Organs!

Bitchin Bajas are one of my favorite acts on there, they're highly recommended. Some of their (non Drag City) stuff is even on Spotify! Wow!

did you check this out? pretty neat! http://sweetblahg.tumblr.com/post/154773932543/bitchin-bajas-in-c-2016

the 2016 Rangda album on DC is also excellent fwiw

yeah i think i underrated that one at first, but i was playing it a bit last month and it is awesome.

I like it much more than album #2

these posts are pretty good. just wish they could be read to me on spotify.

by wimmel's uncool cousins

ILM would be much better if it was just a Pandora station tbh.

Howling Hex's Denver record from 2016 is very solid too -- might be my fave from his current phase, a little more varied, anyway. I just saw the Hex playing a weird afternoon residency (i think global did too!) last month. at a wine bar kinda place!

bill callahan + will oldham alone probably make DC one of my favorite labels tbh. other stuff is great too

ooh thx for the link to In C!!

ha yea listening now too, thanks

rangda
ali roberts
6 organs
bbs

these are some of my favorite people making records today, so i am glad to support them
bandcamp is (imo) DC's best bet for satisfying longterm reliable customers (like me) and allowing weenie freeloaders (spotify cousins) to hear in order to form an opinion
beyond that, it's not really my decision to make and i have been buying DC records for what seems like forever

xxxp I listen to bill's kath bloom cover on spotify all of the time to help me cope

annual In C performance is always a good time, hope they keep it up!

I think Spotify Cousins are signed to Jagjaguwar, not Drag City

maybe Sacred Bones

i should really give rangda a listen, those SRB albums are some of my favorite guitar records ever, i love those early six organs albums a lot too

Wimmels' cousins could be Link Wray

Only Wimmels knows the degree to which we're burnt

Congratulations: you are my uncool cousins, Bjork and Roy Orbison

xp new 6O has Chris Corsano on it too, he is awesome (and part of what I love about Rangda)

i probably said this on the BBs thread, but part of the reason i think Drag City not being on streaming is good is that it miiiiiiight make "uncool cousins" realize that there is a world of music out there that isn't just spotifiable. and that might generate a little interest in the world outside of the computer. or it might just generate more insufferable snobs like us, probably.

it is not difficult to make music that is unspotifiable. I don't understand how this is a good or impressive thing.

it's the coolest!

(i don't know, i'm not really making sense)

insufferable snob generator is the name of my new band

well, better get your stuff on Spotify or no one will know it exists

that name's not as good though

the thing that's annoying about the "if your music isn't on Spotify no one will know it exists! Think of the exposure!" argument is that it neatly elides the fact that there are bajillions of bands on Spotify that no one knows about. It is not a promotional tool, unless you pay Spotify to promote you/expend resources working it as a PR tool, which will quickly eat up the miniscule revenue generated by Spotify.

Well, but I think it can be argued that it can be an auxiliary promotional tool if you are getting promotion in other ways and people can then check you out on Spotify.

people do ask "are you on Spotify?" when they e.g. work with you in some personal capacity (kids' teachers etc) and if you say yes, they go listen, and then a week later they say "I looked you up! say, I enjoyed the song I knew from the tv show!" - I guess outis's objection here would be "that translates into maybe one album sale for you, not really a huge promotional gain" but I'm gonna get three bucks of that sale and I can use three bucks so it counts for me. not as great a promotional tool as radio, ever, let's be honest, just because somebody still has to go "I'm going to listen to this": the passivity of radio engagement had huge promotional value. but Spotify as a promotional adjunct, it's got its uses ime.

As opposed to just typing your bandname into a search engine and being taken to band's page w soundcloud or bandcamp or other music links

yeah I mean -- you're a lifelong music fiend posting on a music board. that's obvious to both you and me. I can't imagine it's surprising to you that there's a gigantic segment of the population for whom a few very comfortable uses of technology are the go-tos. I utterly guarantee you that there are many many people (like, millions) who'll go as far as "I'm using spotify, I'll type in that band's name" who aren't about to google a band, pick a link, and pursue it that far

That's true. How many of those ppl are likely to dig Drag City bands? I would wager not a lot.