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After a quick, unplanned, summer break – YK World is back! This one is a deep dive into Alternative Music Platforms; websites and communities where artists can sell & promote their work outside of the traditional music industry players. In other words, instead of thinking about Spotify, Apple Music and their ilk – let’s talk about Alternatives to those platforms such as Bandcamp, Subvert, Ratio and Ampwall.
This lengthy episode takes a look at four platforms that may be worth your while as an independent artist. We use a scorecard that weighs Pricing, Features, Communication, Aesthetics, and Community to determine where each is succeeding the most.
Most importantly, please let the episode serve as a reminder that mainstream streaming services do not care about independent artists. Full stop. If you’re building a career in music, it is my recommendation that you focus your efforts on promoting and participating in spaces where people care about music. Every platform in this episode fits that bill. Please do check them out.
Massive thanks to Mac Burrus for the theme and for the show music – they really elevate this one!
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Spotify Bundle drops Royalty Rate
https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/spotify-end-access-basic-music-only-plan-subscribers-who-cancel
The YK Records Guide to Releasing Music
https://www.ykworld.show/episodes/the-yk-records-record-release-guide-101/
Louisaah
https://www.instagram.com/louisahhh/
Bandcamp Alternative.com
https://bandcampalternative.com/
Bandcamp Daily
https://daily.bandcamp.com/
Bandcamp Notes Substack 🙁
https://bandcamp.substack.com/
Substack Has a Nazi Problem
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/substack-extremism-nazi-white-supremacy-newsletters/676156/
Don’t Call It a Substack
https://www.anildash.com/2024/11/19/dont-call-it-a-substack/
Nina Protocol is Gone
https://www.ninaprotocol.com/migrate
Subvert
https://subvert.fm
Ratio
https://ratio.fm/
Ampwall
https://ampwall.com/
Ampwall Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/ampwall.com
Ampwall + YK World
https://www.ykworld.show/episodes/ampwall-building-community-with-chris-grigg/
YK Records List 2026
https://ampwall.com/u/ykrecords/lists/yk-records-2026-releases
YK Records Playlist 2026
https://ampwall.com/u/ykrecords/playlist/yk-sampler-2026
Theme song and episode music by Mac Burrus.
Find us at ykworld.show
Email me at michael [at] ykworld [dot] show.
Instagram: @records_yk
Bluesky: ykrecords.bsky.social
Threads: @records_yk
Navigating the gloop of music, tech, art and worthwhile divergences.