This Friday on May 2, from midnight to midnight (PST), the music store Bandcamp will waive all its revenue share and pass all funds directly to artists and labels! It’s the perfect time to purchase music and show your support for Japanese artists on the platform—streaming services with monthly fees cheaper than a single album don’t really pay the bills after all.
In case you’re not familiar with it, Bandcamp is one of our top recommended digital stores for buying music and is home to many independent artists. On average, 82% of the revenue goes to the artist or their label, unlike most other stores that only leave around 70%. This Friday on Bandcamp, that share jumps to 100% for 24 hours.
Known as “Bandcamp Friday”, the initiative began during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has since grown into a recurring event a few times a year. The next Bandcamp Fridays will take place on August 1, September 5, October 3, and December 5.
To get you started on your Bandcamp journey, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite picks below, but you can also explore all Japanese artists on the platform here.
JROCK NEWS editor’s pick
DAMNED
RYUJIN
ELFENSJóN
Utsu-P
Madmans Esprit
![[MV] Madmans Esprit - 백골의 정원](https://jrocknews.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F2ufmUDV7rTE%2F0.jpg)
MuryokuP (Powerless)
Sennzai
Imperial Circus Dead Decadence
Eugenics Scarlet Divinity
Neko Hacker
Futakuchi Mana
LEVEREVE
Yamaji
More Japanese artists to discover
- GORE-GIRL PROJECT (death metal)
- WHITEFIST (metal)
- Kanata Lab (metal)
- BLANKFIELD (metal)
- NECRONOMIDOL (black metal)
- Isiliel (black metal)
- GARUDA (industrial metal)
- Marmalade butcher (math rock)
- Masahiro “Godspeed” Aoki (rock)
- Otoboke Beaver (punk rock)
- Shonen Knife (rock)
- fox capture plan (jazz-rock)
- mono (post-rock)
- Boris (experimental rock)
- coaltar of the deepers (alternative rock)
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (ska)
- Ujico*/Snail’s House (electronic pop)
- Moe Shop (electronic pop)
- Laur (hardcore electronic)
- Camellia (hardcore electronic)
- t+pazolite (hardcore electronic)
- Sakuzyo (electronic)
Explore all Japanese artists on Bandcamp here.
Feel free and share other artists from Bandcamp that you’d recommend in the comments below!