Subscribe to Independent Music! - December 2018 Copper Feast Blog

Subscribe to Independent Music!

Welcome back to the Copper Feast ‘Menu’ for the December edition of our in-house blog. This month I’ll be discussing a product that’s we as vinyl-buyers are seeing more and more of...the humble subscription service.

This month’s Menu was written to the tune of Brighton-based rockers School Disco. Go and check them out over on bandcamp.

So as Christmas draws near and music fans are finalising their ‘Best of’ lists for what has genuinely been a fantastic year in music, I thought I’d discuss another phenomenon which has been gaining more and more attention in the vinyl community, the subscription service.

What gained popularity and attention a number of years ago with Vinyl Me, Please  has now spread throughout the wider independent industry, with a number of indie labels now offering what, in some cases, can be an amazing deal for fans of a particular label, or indeed those wishing to get a regular taste of something new and exciting.

One of my favourites is the offering from our fellow Londoners Holy Roar Records. These guys will be right up the street of you Copper Feast fans, with some of the heaviest music around. And what does it get you, I hear you ask...Well for £20 (which includes shipping!) you get a brand new release delivered to your door every month, and in most cases, this is the most limited variant. What’s more, there’s exclusive subscriber offers such as 50% off a heap of vinyl and merch as well as access to the full back catalogue of music!

I can speak from experience when I say this is not one to be missed out on with the sheer quality of releases from the likes of Portrayal of Guilt and OHHMS coming thick and fast over the last few months alone! Seriously, go and check them out over on their bandcamp page.

Next up is another absolute banger from what I’d say is my absolute favourite label around at the moment, Magnetic Eye Records. Run by Ironweed guitarist Mike Vitali and specialising in the very best stoner, doom and heavy rock, these guys have put out some brilliant LPs in the last few years from the likes of Elephant Tree and Summoner, as well as their Redux series, which has covered some of the greatest albums of all time in their own unmistakeable style. This includes Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, Helmet’s Meantime and most recently, Pink Floyd’s The Wall (Check this out here). Not only that, but they have just started work on a Redux version of Alice in Chains’ Dirt slated for 2020. Get hyped.

Anyhow, I digress. They guys offer another awesome subscription service for great value, though for us Europeans, shipping can be steep. Again featuring the most limited pressings, access to the full back catalogue and 50% off the full catalogue of physical music and merch. Man, I could spend a fortune with these guys if only they shipped to the UK. But oh wait, seems like a handful of their catalogue is now available to ship here, so go jump on it, seriously.

Finally, there’s another great service from our buddies over at Hot Wax Records, although their service is strictly limited and has sold out for 2018...but who knows what 2019 will bring [EDIT: 2019 Subscriptions are now open]. Having followed Hot Wax closely over the past year, I can say without hesitation that this is one of the best up-and-coming labels out there at the moment so definitely go check out their releases when you can.

These services are everywhere at the moment, and if you choose the right one for you, like choosing a new phone contract, you can be in for hours upon hours of listening pleasure as well as being safe in the knowledge that you are supporting some of the best independents out there in the most sustainable of ways. Obviously this small list is not exhaustive, and a small bit of research will take you a long way to finding some more awesome subscriptions from other independents. Topshelf Records, Rough Trade , Postwax and Tiny Engines are just a few more out there depending on what you're into and whee you live, but awesome value none-the less.

That’s it for now, though in terms of Copper Feast, many of you will now be aware that Polygondwanaland is shipping and supply is quickly dwindling, so I’d seriously advise getting in there quick if you’re on the fence. There will likely be a handful of remaining copies up on the store in the new year once we have taken stock after this massive mailout.

In the meantime, have an awesome Christmas and new year with your family and friends and put your feet up - you’ve earned it. Oh, and why not treat yourself to an early gift from our store? ;)

See ya next year!

Callum

#vinyl #recordlabel #rock #punk #metal