Welcome back to Diary of A Record Store Owner. Recently, we explored Brisbane’s most listened-to artists according to Chartmetric. Since then, something has been on my mind. While popularity matters, it doesn’t tell the whole story. If we only focus on popular artists, we ignore the creativity and innovation that goes on outside the spotlight.
This is where Bandcamp offers valuable insight. For those who may not be familiar, Bandcamp is a platform where independent artists can upload, sell, and share their music directly. It creates a unique online culture driven by innovation, authenticity, and a strong do-it-yourself ethos. Many of these artists have fans who are creators themselves, further enriching this feedback loop of music and creativity. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the top-selling Brisbane artists on Bandcamp this week.
Top-Selling Brisbane Artists on Bandcamp (12/11/2024) – All Formats
- Who Says You Can’t Get High at 95mph – The Marlboro Men (Rock)
- Even The Horizon Knows Its Bounds – Lawrence English (Electronic)
- Siren Songs – Sacred Hearts (Alternative)
- It’s Very Loud EP – 1tbsp (Electronic)
- Rocks On The Soul – Screamfeeder (Alternative)
- Generated Beats – Volume 1 – lofigenerator.com (Electronic)
- Abysmal Misfortune Is Draped Upon Me – Malignant Aura (Metal)
- Wrote You Off / Stopless – Screamfeeder, Adalita, Jamie Hutchings (Alternative)
- Demo – Cerebral Erosion (Punk)
- Demonstration – Discount Code (Punk)
It’s exciting to see Screamfeeder on the list. Tim from the band visited Glitter Records in October to deliver a comprehensive collection of his albums, including copies signed by all of Screamfeeder’s members. He also shared that the band recently bought back their music rights from their old record labels, giving them full control of their songs and complete creative freedom. I respect that.
Top-Selling Brisbane Artists on Bandcamp (12/11/2024) – Vinyl
- Who Says You Can’t Get High at 95mph – The Marlboro Men (Rock)
- Even The Horizon Knows Its Bounds – Lawrence English (Electronic)
- Rocks On The Soul – Screamfeeder (Alternative)
- Wrote You Off / Stopless – Screamfeeder, Adalita, Jamie Hutchings (Alternative)
- The Prize / The Unknowns Split – The Unknowns (Rock)
- Another Tide, Another Fish – Andrew Tuttle, Michael Chapman (Experimental)
- Double Natural – Boomgates (Rock)
When it comes to physical formats, vinyl reigns supreme. Limited-edition releases on platforms like Bandcamp often have small production runs—sometimes as few as 50 copies—which can make them highly sought-after by fans once they sell out.
A prime example of this is the 2024 album Manifesto Stick by Nusidm. The album features a cover attached to an artist’s manifesto with green wire. Given its unique format and the conceptual depth of the work, I hazard a guess it will become highly prized by future collectors. I have a copy myself.
Top-Selling Brisbane Artists on Bandcamp (12/11/2024) – CD
- Abysmal Misfortune Is Draped Upon Me – Malignant Aura (Metal)
- Known/Learned [Double Album] – Arcane (Rock)
- Breathing Spirit Forms – David Toop, Akio Suzuki, Lawrence English (Electronic)
- Another Tide, Another Fish – Andrew Tuttle, Michael Chapman (Experimental)
- IT AIN’T A HUNTING PARTY TILL SOMETHING GETS BROKEN – The Marlboro Men (Rock)
While vinyl continues to thrive, CDs are making a strong comeback this year, especially among younger collectors. Like vinyl, CDs are becoming highly collectible. I believe their popularity on Bandcamp will keep growing.
Brisbane’s Underground and Experimental Scene
Bandcamp reveals a different side of Brisbane’s music. While Chartmetric’s streaming data highlights mainstream genres like indie-pop and chill house, Bandcamp’s top sellers offer a window into the city’s underground and experimental music culture. Here, punk, metal, alternative rock, and experimental electronic artists are more prominently represented.
Many of these artists are driven by a personal commitment to authentic expression and innovation. This often places them at odds with the demands of serving or pleasing a broad audience—something that their mainstream counterparts prioritize. While many Brisbane artists may focus on accessibility and radio-friendly appeal, underground musicians are more interested in pushing boundaries, exploring new sounds, and doing something different.
The Shock of the New
This creative tension often sets Brisabne’s underground artists apart from mainstream tastes, at least in the short term. But history shows that outliers—like the punks in the ’70s, Nirvana in the ’90s, or even The Beatles, who were initially rejected for being too raw for London’s record labels, or figures like Duke Ellington and Johann Sebastian Bach, once deemed too complex—often have the greatest long-term impact. What was once seen as too raw or unconventional can eventually become the foundation of new cultural movements. True innovation may start on the margins, but it endures. I take heart in the work of the acts we see here on our lists because it often pays to stay true to yourself and your vision.
The Duality of Brisbane’s Music Scene
The dynamic between popularity and innovation speaks to the duality in Brisbane’s music scene. On one hand, our underground thrives on creativity, with artists and loyal fans pushing their music beyond where the mainstream is willing to follow. On the other hand, the mainstream focuses on more accessible sounds that aim to reach broader audiences. Both worlds coexist, often influencing one another in subtle ways. By examining both sides—the polished, commercial mainstream on one hand and the innovative underground on the other—we can gain a deeper understanding of Brisbane’s unique musical identity and the culture that shapes our city.
