Bandcamp reportedly lays off almost all engineers

https://bsky.app/profile/grmnygrmny.bsky.social/post/3mpgvo7l2v22t

So far, there’s only a BlueSky post from someone claiming to be one of the laid-off engineers, but if confirmed, it doesn’t bode well.

112 points · 15 comments · view on lemmy.world

15 Comments

Otherbarry@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz · 23 pts · 50d (3 replies)

Yikes, that's not great. At least for the moment seems like Bandcamp is still going but actions like this don't bode well for the future.

I don't mind buying FLACs at Qobuz but they feel way less indie centric IMO, not sure if all the smaller acts I follow are even on there. Subvert (https://www.subvert.fm/) did launch as a Bandcamp alternative but it might take a while before it catches on.

flamingos@feddit.uk · 7 pts · 49d (1 reply)

There are several Bandcamp alternatives that have spun up. Ampwall.com, mirlo.space, jam.coop. Probably others as well, it's honestly a little overwhelming.

suff@piefed.social · 3 pts · 49d

not to forget https://bandwagon.fm/ in the fediverse

one_old_coder@piefed.social · 3 pts · 49d

I like the idea of Subvert but finding content is harder than Bandcamp, and half the time I have the error "Failed to verify your browser" which is some kind of stupid security check.

jtrek@startrek.website · 20 pts · 49d

Well that's a shame. They should've stayed independent but I guess the original folks wanted that fat buy-out paycheck instead of making steady money and being a good platform for music.

mrdown@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 50d

I encourage people to use mirlo.space which is working on federation

suff@piefed.social · 6 pts · 50d (5 replies)

But bandcamp will stay?

zikzak025@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 50d (3 replies)

Who knows. This sounds like one of those moves a company makes before looking to sell themselves off to the highest bidder.

AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space · 11 pts · 50d

If they’re eliminating almost all engineers, they’d be selling it for scrap, rather than as a going concern. Perhaps as AI training data to some techbros wanting to build a slop machine.

mrdown@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 49d

I though layoff happen by the new orders rather than the orevious owner laying off then a new company buy it

AnchoriteMagus@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 50d

If they're sold, it'll be a Songtradr decision. Bandcamp has never been independently owned.

one_old_coder@piefed.social · 3 pts · 49d

They have been sold too many times already. I guess they still have a few people to take care of their radio feature, but firing engineers makes me think that it will die soon.

djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 50d

damn, guess I'll have to start hosting my music somewhere else

BillyCrystalMeth@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 49d

It's a really good thing that there are alternatives now. Mirlo, and Subvert just opened. Time to push the move harder I guess

homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 50d

Ouch