Alternative Streaming Platforms
KICKBACK
Less is more for the founder/sibling-duo that’s bringing physical media back into the fore, in an age where everyone’s virtually wired in. KICKBACK began as a personal project of getting Spotify playlists onto cassettes, and now the brand has expanded into a range of retro-revival tech devices (from CD players to Jukeboxes) that places music back in the consumer’s hands.
BANDCAMP
BANDCAMP is one of the few platforms through which artists and labels can directly manage the distribution of their music and merchandise across a range of mediums –from direct downloads, to song lyrics, to CDs and vinyl records. This artist-centered site has grown to be a favorite since its founding in 2008, for popular independent labels like Sub Pop and warp and artists like Björk and Radiohead.
AMPWALL
Created by DIY musicians for DIY consumers, AMPWALL takes pride in remaining independent and being for the public. This service was founded in rebellion against the “grow-at-all-costs mentality” that pervades the music industry and offers a low-cost subscription for consumers and a “pay what you use” model for artists distributing their work.
SOUNDCLOUD
Since 2008, SOUNDCLOUD has been a leading player in the streaming world for independent labels and artists and has grown to be one of the largest in the world, thanks to the accessibility of its interface and its widespread reach across genres. Over the years, it’s expanded its features to include social commenting and playlists between users, app integrations, and a unique model of generating artist revenue via fan-powered royalties.
MIXCLOUD
What began as a startup from the minds of two university students is now one of the most popular British streaming services in the game, hosting a collection of radio shows, DJ sets, and podcasts that are crowdsourced by registered listeners. MIXCLOUD’S fan-to-creator structure allows consumers to support artists directly, while also opening access to groups or forums for people to interact with other users with similar tastes.
NAPSTER
DEEZER
N10
N10 radio is a volunteer-run non-profit online radio station that runs atop a restaurant and bar in Montreal. Centered on promoting local artists and socially relevant slots, the e-station not only disperses new music to the city but also fosters a unique community of listeners, fans, and independent artists.
NTS LIVE
NTS RADIO takes pride in being built “by music lovers for music lovers.” Its founder Femi Adeyemi (also a co-founder of Boiler Room) began this project inspired by pirate radio and college stations on a small budget of a few thousand pounds. This online station now broadcasts worldwide, and currently works out of three main studios in London, Manchester, and LA.
NOODS RADIO
Quoted from the listener-supported independent radio station, NOODS works with one thing in mind: “no playlists, no ads, just the people.” Founded in 2015, this project that began as a means to share music and bring listeners together now distributes across the globe and has developed a cafe/bar/venue that also functions as the radio’s headquarters.
ROVR
NEW WORLD RADIO
LEMELLOTRON
