Streaming music sucks, but it’s also so convenient and ubiquitous. Having access to music streaming means that any song I want from any era is constantly available.
What that really means, though, is that choice paralysis freezes me from making any new choices—I effectively spin the same 10 records most of the time.
A lot of my friends have tried to get off streaming music. They buy records, tapes and CDs and try to source music from the depths of the internet (pirate waters I won’t go into in this article).
Although streaming music is certainly the most convenient, it’s far and away from the most productive, stimulating or ethical. I’m not here to convince you to completely get off of music streaming. That’s a choice only you can make.
Streaming music in general discourages organic discovery of music. It silos our listening habits. No streaming platforms pay their artists much either.
Spotify though, is far and away the worst. There are many ethical reasons to get off Spotify—they don’t pay their artists much, they have partnerships with such corporations like ICE and Israeli telecoms and the hosting of pro-Israel government ads.
But Spotify does make it really easy to listen to your favourite album, though.
Getting off of streaming can offer a different, more engaged listening experience.
For folks wanting to build up their own music library Bandcamp and 7Digital are both good options. Make sure to buy on Bandcamp Friday which happens every once in a while. All the proceeds will go to the artists in charge.
NTS Radio is a national online radio station run out of the UK that has become one of the best ways to find, discover and listen to music. The New York Times reported that around 40 per cent of the music played on NTS is not available on Spotify. They have excellent user submitted mixtapes and a Discord for live chatting while listening.
Radio Garden is a great way to see what people are listening to in different parts of the world. For some options close to home, try Radio Laurier, CFRU or Midtown Radio.
Listening to radio stations is much like Spotify, but the DJs are actual humans. The Spotify DJ is terrifying and sure sometimes the recommendations serve up something you’ll love, but only at the behest of your own algorithmic making. Maybe there’s something to be said for broadening horizons.
Aadam Jacobs from Chicago recently started uploading nearly 5,000 tapes to the internet. They are recordings from live shows that he accumulated over years and years of concerts going in the windy city. You aren’t going to find music like that on Spotify—try the Internet Archive for interesting, and stimulating choices. His music is available through the website No Tape Left Behind.
I put out a call on my Instagram story to talk to people about getting off streaming platforms. I couldn’t believe the amount of people that got in touch and had things to say.
My favourite response was when someone told me that their phone broke for a couple of months so instead of purchasing a new one—they ended up just singing to themselves on their way to work.
Among all the responses it’s clear that this is something people are passionate and want to talk about. I heard many tales of Value Village CD Players, refurbished mp3s, and iPods dug out from junk drawers.
Leave a Reply