Our Top Ten for Bandcamp Day

There’s no question that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a colossal impact on the music industry. As our new lockdown world fast approached it’s third month, closed venues show no clear date to reopen, and the livelihoods of many artists have ground to a screeching halt.

Touring and shows are a major revenue source for most artists, and it’s essential to find new ways to support independent artists and labels through this.

Back in March, Bandcamp waived their revenue share for the day, raising $4.3 million in direct-to-artist sales. The platform will continue to waive fees on the first Friday of each month through May, June and July.

With the second no-fees day upon us, here are ten Scottish artists to check out on Bandcamp.

1. SHHE – ‘SHHE’

SHHE is the alter-ego of Scottish-Portuguese artist and producer Su Shaw. Her self-titled album is a sparse, haunting and atmospheric journey of introspection and exploration of identity. Listen for a lingering catharsis on the human condition – you won’t regret it.

2. L-SPACE – ‘FEED THE ENGINES!’

L-Space dominated the ‘weird alt-pop’ genre; think soundscapes of dreamy guitars, retrofuturistic synths, grooving bass, and ethereal vocals. Their latest EP, ‘Feed The Engines!’, is a masterful example of musical storytelling; circling around the complexities of late-stage capitalism, chronic exhaustion, and despondence in the face of the apocalypse. Pertinent.

3. BROKEN CHANTER – MUSIC FOR AIRING CUPBOARDS

Recorded specifically for Bandcamp’s no fees day, Broken Chanter’s EP of ambient tracks are an essential companion to lockdown blues. They’re intended to accompany whatever task is filling your days, be it reading, cooking, commuting, or worrying. I’ve found it’s helped me focus and relax at my most anxious – a much needed addition to the library in these times.

4. SAVAGE MANSIONS – ‘WEIRD COUNTRY’

Savage Mansion’s ‘Weird Country’ is a bold, anthemic rush of indie rock. It’s filled with fiery arrangements and canny writing, although opening track ‘Karaoke’ hits different in our post-karaoke society.

5. Josephine Sillars + The Manic Pixie Dreams – ‘The Manic Pixie Dreams’

Hailing from the Highlands but now based in Leeds, Josephine Sillars gained recognition performing with her band ‘The Manic Pixie Dreams’. You can grab a small collections of songs she recorded and released with The Manic Pixie Dreams over the last two years, compiled and released for Bandcamp’s first no-fees day.

6. NIGHTWAVE – ‘JOURNEY’

Since her first release back in 2010, Nightwave has been cornerstone in Glasgow’s vibrant music scene. Potent influences of Chicago house, Detroit techno, electro and acid coalesce to create her punch-drunk signature sound.

‘The Journey’ celebrates, in her own words, “joy, dance, exploring inner worlds, the celebration of nature and life and how it all interconnects”. It’s an ethereal, glistening acid workout which will breathe energy into these slower days.

7. CARLA J. EASTON – ‘GET LOST’

Pre-order Carla J. Easton’s single GET LOST for the 29th May and receive exclusive bonus track Touch The Sky now. Carla’s unique brand of addictive pop is invigorating, and this earworm has had me dancing about the house all day, at the grave expense of my family’s respect for me.

8. THE ARTSY VICE SHOW – CHARITY COMPILATION VOL 1

Artsy Vice Show have put together compilation of some of their favourite tracks from the Chime Studio sessions. It’s a pay what you can digital release, and all of the proceeds are going towards Ubuntu Women Shelter. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ross McGowan and featuring class acts like Callum Easter, Pocket Knife, and Gift Horse – just to name a few

9. HOWLING AT THE SUN – RANDOLPH’S LEAP

Recorded by vocalist Adam Ross at his home during lockdown, ‘Howling At The Sun’ breathes new life into some already stellar tracks from folk-pop group Randolph’s Leap’s discography. There’s a brand-new song, too: Hautausmaa, based on a dream of a holiday spent in Estonia and Finland.

10. CHECK MASSES – ‘NIGHTLIFE’

Leith trio Check Masses release their debut album digitally on May 29th – and what better time to pre-order the Limited Edition vinyl? You’ll receive ‘DRIPN ANGEL’ and ‘Lonesome Little Paradise’ to enjoy while you wait.