Guestwyrms: Bandcamp Fridays 3.5
ISSUE #143
Surprise, comrades, it’s Gabriel Taka taking over the WyrmWaves this week. I’m here to play some jams, as always, but there’s a reason for those klaxons and spinning red lights—I gotta preach a bit first. The world is dying, and I’m sure you don’t need me to count the ways. Tours and live shows are off the table, and independent artists are struggling more than ever (some even have to resort to fucking Patreons). So, like the women of Fury Road before me, I find myself asking: “Who killed the world?” My gut knows it’s Spotify, and, moreover, the commodification of all forms of art into “content.” However, I want to make it clear that the burden lies on the company’s shoulders, not the consumers.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
I’m tapping into this frequency today to spread the good word about Bandcamp. As you may know, today is Bandcamp Friday—in short, on the first Friday of every month, the site forgoes its (admirably meager) cut from musicians’ sales so that every penny goes to the artist (read more about it here). It’s no solution to the freefall of the industry, but nevertheless it fills me with hope.
If you’ve never been, I encourage—nay, beg—you to pay it a visit. Their website and app are both robust, maximizing new discoveries free of algorithms and allowing unlimited streams of purchases. If you’re unsure where to start, I recommend the articles at the top of the homepage. They’ve never failed to give me at least one new album to dig into. There’s no linkable playlist this week, but please feel free to stick around. I’ll hook into the aux and give you the good shit:
1. Art is Love Vol. 1 – Compilation by Why? Records
Terrific compilation of indies from Chicago. All proceeds go to Chicago Community Bond Fund.
Recommended track: Ruby Watson – “I Can Smell the Rain Coming”
2. Moodie - Yuno
With six tight tracks, there’s no wasted space. Each is wildly diverse and deep. An album that is impossible to listen to only once.
Recommended track: “No Going Back”
3. Only Water – Hutch Harris
The Thermals’ frontman strips down, singing with a newfound dejection that will ring true to anyone who’s experienced heartbreak, i.e. everyone.
Recommended track: “I Belong to No One”
4. Anime, Trauma, and Divorce - Open Mike Eagle
Mike never clicked for me until this album. A saga of self-discovery, building back up from total annihilation. Vulnerable and honest to the highest degree.
Recommended track: “sweatpants spiderman”
5. Queer + Black EP – Grove
To make this confident a debut is incredible to me. There is no holding back, and it’s very welcome.
Recommended track: “Ur Boyfriend’s Wack”
6. Time 4 Change – Redpine & Solo
Jungle beats are so fucking rad I can’t believe they went out of style in the house music lexicon for two decades. A welcome return.
Recommended track: “Time 4 Change”
7. Haru to Shura – Haru Nemuri
Nemuri’s 2020 EP Lovetheism spurred me to keep an ear on Bandcamp as a whole. Her eclectic style is raw, loud, and life-affirming.
Recommended track: “Rock’n’roll Never Dies”
8. Little Oblivions – Julien Baker
The new hotness. Incredibly well-layered instrumentation provides a perfect base for poignant lyrics that are comforting in their self-doubt.
Recommended tracks: “Ringside”/”Favor”
9. THE RAGING RIVER – Cult of Luna
I heard marimba play heavy metal for the first time. I drank the apple cider of Satan. I loved it.
Recommended track: “Three Bridges”
10. A Japanese Horror Film – Chester Watson
Dark, hypnotic beats and a murky flow make up for an album throughline that doesn’t quite land. Still a unique and realized vibe.
Recommended track: “Fog (feat. Dua Saleh)”
11. Scum Funk – vbnd
Perpetual sunset, deep groove, stank face.
Recommended track: “Breathe Me In (A Little Longer)”
12. Ausecuma Beats – Ausecuma Beats
Self-described as “more than just a band... a philosophy,” This is a bright, jubilant, and infectious record. Powerful enough to make Eeyore jump for joy.
Recommended track: “Aida”
13. Avenue of Champions – ROBLAU GIBSUN
Gibsun’s flow hooks into you quick and sinks in deep. Fuck an auto-tune, classic Atlanta hip hop lives on.
Recommended tracks: “No Holds Barred (Ft. Professor Ant)”
14. Memories of Tokyo-To – 2 Mello
Inspired by the cult classic Jet Set Radio games, Memories hits some magic synchronicity between retro keyboards and modern sequencing.
Recommended tracks: “Pump Up the Love”/”Poison Jam”
15. Umurangi Generation Macro OST – ThorHighHeels
Umurangi Generation is a game about the last generation, raised into a world whose final thread is about to tear. The game, which I encourage you to play, achieves a striking, unabashed atmosphere in large part thanks to its soundtrack. Bite-sized mood pieces perfect for study sessions, walks, or pondering.
Recommended tracks: “sad dolphin”/”toxic waste uwu”
16. Believer – LAU
Fresh, luscious pop that is massively, deeply invigorating. It is the resolute planting of the flag of self-worth.
Recommended track: “Believer”
BONUS FOR THE BRAVE: Black Nationalist Sonic Weaponry – Speaker Music
This is a challenging listen, one which I admittedly haven’t gone completely through. Unapologetic, sharp, bloody, and educational.
Comes with a 60-page zine.
Thank you for listening and for keeping me company. If you have recommendations for me, send them my way. Please support who you can. I love you.
G.T.B.
Irv Teibel, who released the influential Environments records over ten years from 1969–79, was a pioneer in putting field recordings (i.e., nature sounds) into the hands of stressed-out college students and, eventually, anyone who needed to drown out all the noise. Turns out that was a lot of people.