With the news that Bandcamp Friday returned in September, we arrived in October for the next edition. After today’s Bandcamp Friday (7 October), it will continue on 4 November and 2 December. Since 2020, Bandcamp Friday has been a way to support artists and labels that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On these days, Bandcamp waived their revenue share meaning that there is more money for the artists and labels.
Since the return of Bandcamp Friday in the rest of 2022, this means that we will be highlighting a couple of Japanese artists and labels in an article. Do you want to know who we have highlighted in the past? Be sure to check to read our articles listed here.
THE NOVEMBERS
Last Bandcamp Friday, experimental rock band Boris and indie alternative rock band THE NOVEMBERS presented the digital release of their 2018 split release, Unknown Flowers. Since the release of the album At The Beginning, which was released in the midst of the pandemic, there hasn’t been any new myusic, even though the band is still on the road. Perhaps the band will come with news soon (maybe in November?). Vocalist Yusuke Kobayashi is also part of THE SPELLBOUND with Masayuki Nakano from BOOM BOOM SATELLITES.
Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs
Recently, the alternative rock trio was in the United Kingdom for the first time for a performance at ArcTanGent Festival, shortly before which they released their fifth album Awakening:Sleeping. Active for 20 years —with a break from 2012 to 2017— the band is known for tightly arranged, guitar-driven style, loud guitars, melodic pop vocals and high-energy performances.
Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.
The psychedelic rockers of Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. are currently in the middle of touring through Europe, but that doesn’t mean that there is something new to get through their Bandcamp page. The most notable release is Ordovician Dual Zero, the latest live recording with the band’s new line-up after bassist Shozo Sawano joined, which was recorded during the live show at Magasin4 in Brussels a few days earlier.
Les Rallizes Dénudés
What is there to say about Les Rallizes Dénudés, really? One of the earliest and most groundbreaking Japanese psychedelic-rock bands, formed in the latter half of the 1960s, with a significant impact on modern noiserock and psychedelic music. Despite being active for years, the group maintained a low profile and kept to itself causing mystery. Last year, it was announced that vocalist and guitarist Takashi Mizutani had died in 2019, and after so many bootlegs, it was decided to (re)issue official releases by the band, forthcoming three albums which were officially released in 1991.
ungulates
In addition to operating as a DIY record label, ungulates also promotes and books shows and tours. The label mostly represents bands that dabble in such musical genres as hardcore, punk, and emo. Think of up-and-coming bands as downt, Kudaranai 1Nichi, and Togaru. Recently, the label released an 10th-anniversary edition of Curve’s album Till The End, this was originally released in 20212 by Impulse Records and this reissue has been remastered.
It is good to know that on Bandcamp Fridays, an average of 93% of your money reaches the artist or label (after payment processor fees). On other days, an average of 82% reaches the artist or label. Who are you going to support on the upcoming Bandcamp Friday?
