I want to believe this is a good thing. I really, really do. Want to believe.
Bandcamp, as you probably know, is my favorite place online for buying music because “artists net an average of 82% of every sale” according to Ethan Diamond, Bandcamp co-founder and CEO, in his press release announcing the deal:
Bandcamp will keep operating as a standalone marketplace and music community, and I will continue to lead our team. The products and services you depend on aren’t going anywhere, we’ll continue to build Bandcamp around our artists-first revenue model (where artists net an average of 82% of every sale), you’ll still have the same control over how you offer your music, Bandcamp Fridays will continue as planned, and the Daily will keep highlighting the diverse, amazing music on the site. However, behind the scenes we’re working with Epic to expand internationally and push development forward across Bandcamp, from basics like our album pages, mobile apps, merch tools, payment system, and search and discovery features, to newer initiatives like our vinyl pressing and live streaming services.
I remember the last time a buyout brought with it better products and services post-acquisition and I’d cite an example or two if I could only remember a single time this has ever happened in the history of mankind! OK, I’m sure there are examples but I’m having a difficult time googling for some because my fingers are so tightly crossed, wishing and hoping that Bandcamp remains awesome. Or, um, epic!
Here’s part of Epic’s press statement on the acquisition:
Fair and open platforms are critical to the future of the creator economy. Epic and Bandcamp share a mission of building the most artist friendly platform that enables creators to keep the majority of their hard-earned money. Bandcamp will play an important role in Epic’s vision to build out a creator marketplace ecosystem for content, technology, games, art, music and more.
Creator marketplace ecosystem.
Truth be told, I’d never heard of Epic Games until my friend Stephen Mejias alerted me to this news because I’ve never been interested in games in the Epic Games sense. Here’s hoping they remain off my radar.
