Beyond the Algorithm: A Fair DJ selection for Our Times
From Spotify’s “pennies for plays” to Bandcamp’s promise — artist economics, music discovery, and the power of intentional listening.
I recently played a DJ selection at East Side Radio, a radio station based in Lisbon, and this particular set felt different, not just for me but for what it represents.
For over two decades, I’ve poured my soul (and wallet) into buying gear and loads of vinyl. This time, I decided rather than using my old mp3s or vinyl collection, to build a set entirely from Bandcamp purchases. At the end of this process, many realizations came to me.
Stick with me for a reflection about the “value” of music, both in numbers and in its meaning.
When discovery was fun
Remember when finding new music felt like an adventure rather than an algorithmic echo chamber?
From IRC chat rooms to record stores, my journey into music was always about deep dives, long hours searching, listening, trying to understand all the names and faces behind each CD, vinyl, and mp3.
I’m not against technology — actually, quite the opposite. If it wasn’t for internet radio, Soulseek, or eMule, my knowledge would be much more restricted. But when Spotify started pushing the same tunes I heard in stores and coffee shops, narrowing my listening experience, I knew it was time to chart a new course. I eventually distanced myself from Spotify and similar platforms, and it’s been over four years now.
Are streaming services inherently bad? Not necessarily. But depending on them for 90 percent of the music you consume, feels off. It’s like buying every record from a single store whose owner has some questionable tendencies. It just doesn’t feel right.
A fairer way to play
Recently, I decided to create a DJ selection made entirely of tracks I purchased on Bandcamp, a platform I still trust, though I’m not sure for how long.
This process sparked a deeper reflection which It’s not just about giving money to real people and feeling good, it’s also about hard numbers.
From a consumer’s perspective, I paid around €1.50 per track, the suggested price, making my entire DJ selection cost about €38. While not cheap, it’s still perfectly reasonable and most of this money, roughly 90%, goes directly to the artists.
Now let’s look at it from the artist’s perspective. On Spotify, if a track is played 1,000 times, an artist might earn €3 to €4.50 in total. On Bandcamp, if the same track sold 300 times, the artist would earn around €450 to €500 — enough to buy an Ableton license.
That simple math makes it clear how much more value flows directly to artists when we choose to buy music intentionally.
Intentional listening
Beyond economics, there’s a deeper question:
how do we really listen to music today?
My DJ compilation is a continuous hour of carefully curated tracks that invites a different kind of experience. One where skipping isn’t an option and the human touch behind the selection takes center stage. You might want to know who I am, why I chose those tracks, or even better, who these artists are.
It’s the opposite of playing music as mere background noise. I believe there’s a growing appetite for this kind of intentional listening.
Finally
I invite you to listen to the mix, a one-hour selection featuring many beatmakers and a few bands, including friends and even one of my own tracks.
To help you dive deeper into the artists, I created this online document listing each artist’s Instagram and direct Bandcamp link. It’s a simple way to encourage discovery, learn more about them, and maybe buy some tracks, cassette tapes or vinyl.
What’s next for fair music
Bandcamp, despite its advantages, isn’t immune to criticism.
Recent research suggests that even Bandcamp struggles with equity and visibility. That’s why initiatives like Subvert, a collectively owned music marketplace, feel so vital right now.
Could this be the next chapter in fair music?
Maybe.
When I see content creators like Somewhere Soul, with nearly a million followers, pushing these conversations, I can’t help but think that something is about to shift — hopefully.
References
Pilati, F., Houssard, A., & Sacco, P. L. (2025). Mirroring the inequalities of mainstream music platforms: popularity, revenue, and monetization strategies on Bandcamp. Link
Illustrations by Stefan Glerum