Pet Door Show’s top independent & underplayed Bandcamp picks for November 2023
To be perfectly transparent, I wasn’t sure I was going to share this month’s Bandcamp Friday picks, because there seem to be some shady things going on at Bandcamp at the moment. If you’re not aware, Bandcamp was sold to Epic Games last March, and then to Songtradr this September. Following the acquisition by Songtradr, Songtradr has refused to recognize the worker-led union Bandcamp United (represented by OPEIU, the Office and Professional Employees International Union), and just over half of Bandcamp’s staff were laid off, including most of those involved in the union and 79% of their Black staff members. A couple of days ago, Bandcamp United filed a claim of unfair labor practices by both Epic Games and Songtradr, and they are demanding “employment offers for all workers; clear, consistent, and equitable voluntary severance offers; and recognition of their union at Songtradr with a speedy continuation to bargaining, while maintaining all the progress that has been made at the table.”
It would be really sad to lose Bandcamp as a platform for independent self-releasing artists, but it’s not looking great. However, I do think it’s still super important to share music by independent and underplayed artists and right now there doesn’t seem to be a good alternative yet, and on Bandcamp Friday all the money goes to the artist so it doesn’t technically line the corporate pockets. My heartfelt wish is that somebodies make a new platform, designed for and by artists, rather than an entity that is designed to be bought and sold in the game of making rich people richer. After all, capitalism did not invent creativity. If you know of something, please let me know.
In the meantime, below are the Pet Door Show’s top independent & underplayed Bandcamp picks for November (arranged alphabetically by artist name). These are the super special hidden gem releases that I’ve loved playing on the Pet Door Show this month, all by independent and underplayed artists with fewer than 2,000 instagram followers. I hope you find some new favorites! Tune in to the Pet Door Show on Shady Pines Radio every Thursday, 2–4pm Pacific / 5–7pm Eastern / 10pm-12am UK.
So, anyway, this might be the last one of these I do! We’ll see. Fingers crossed things improve for both artists and workers, and let’s not forget that our individual successes are inextricably tied to and dependent on those of the community around us. Solidarity with Bandcamp United and all worker-led unions that have fought for dignity and fairness in the workplace.
A
A su ladera — Elipsis*
EP released December 14, 2022.
Favorite track: Nuestros Días
Alajuela, Costa Rica. Indie dream pop.
* One of the Pet Door Show’s Top 2023 Releases by Independent & Underplayed Latinx Artists.
Arbor Labor Union — Yonder
Album released on Sophomore Lounge
Favorite track: Real Beasts
Atlanta, GA. Indie americana.
C
Ceviche Mixto — Valses Para Perros*
Album released July 21, 2023.
Favorite track: En Un Verano Inmortal
La Paz, Bolivia. Folk albazo.
* One of the Pet Door Show’s Top 2023 Releases by Independent & Underplayed Latinx Artists.
H
High Tea — The Wick and the Flame
Album released February 10, 2023.
Favorite track: The Tale of Billy & The Void
Boston, MA. Indie americana.
I
Index for Working Musik — Dragging the Needlework for the Kids at Uphole
Album released February 17, 2023.
Favorite track: Athletes of Exile
London, England. Indie rock.
J
Juan Irio — Well Well
Album released September 15, 2023.
Favorite track: Dos Vampiros
La Plata, Argentina. Indie pop.
K
Klinika Denisa Kataneca — Kao Zao Kor
Album released April 21, 2023.
Favorite track: Vampiri
Zagreb, Croatia. Avant garde rock.
M
Malummí — Bones
Single released October 13, 2023.
Basel, Switzerland. Indie pop.
Mike Kuster — Mountain Monsters of Maryland
EP released October 27, 2023.
Favorite track: Snallygaster
Walkersville, MD. Country.
P
Pijama Piyama — Pijama Piyama y Los Niños De Rana*
Album released August 26, 2023.
Favorite track: Los Niños De Rana
Phoenix, AZ. Psychedelic tropicalia.
* One of the Pet Door Show’s Top 2023 Releases by Independent & Underplayed Latinx Artists.
Pit Pony — Accidental Doom
Single released October 13, 2023.
Newcastle, England. Rock.
S
The Skamotts — ねこだまし
Album released January 25, 2023.
Favorite track: Alien Steps
Tokyo, Japan. Ska jazz.
T
Ted Tyro — Demo 22
EP released October 5, 2023.
Favorite track: Devil
Louisville, KY. Post punk.
Vista Blue — Even Dracula Will Be There
EP released October 22, 2023.
Favorite track: They Wait In The Dark
Nashville, TN. Rock.
That’s the end of the list, I hope you liked it! If you did, check out Pet Door Show’s top independent & underplayed Bandcamp picks for October 2023, and tune in to the Pet Door Show on Shady Pines Radio every Thursday, 2–4pm Pacific / 5–7pm Eastern / 10pm-12am UK.