Wildly disrespectful to any artist that ever lived. I’m all up for sharing alternatives that are good/better towards actual artists. Still evaluating my choices, but meanwhile this seems like the only and rather easy signal the streaming community can give as to spread the word if they agree (next to stopping your own subscription). Context: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/22/spotifys-ai-bet-more-of-everything-less-of-what-you-want/


Been selfhosting my music for years (was the initial push into the hobby). Bandcamp is your friend. I also don’t mind paying more for what i like nowadays. Still, I pirate stuff im not sure i like yet, like a demo of sorts. I listen to too much experimental stuff recommended by friends to know what ill love before simmering on it. Then i either go back and buy it, or just make sure to support them in more direct ways like buying more merchandise than I normally would. Pick a band that I’ve been vibing on that month and dumptruck cash on them.
Not a perfect solution, but it works for me, and I think I’ve given more money to artists overall than my table scrap stream pennies would have.