Bandcamp loses half its workers after being purchased by Songtradr

Half of Bandcamp’s workers have misplaced their jobs following the corporate’s acquisition by Songtradr, in keeping with SFGate and Selection. Songtradr spokesperson Lindsay Nahmiache has admitted to SFGate that solely 58 of Bandcamp’s 118 workers acquired a proposal in the course of the transition. A remaining worker has confirmed Nahmiache’s assertion to the publication, reporting that half of the corporate has disappeared from its Slack chatroom and that the account owned by co-founder and former CEO Ethan Diamond has been deactivated. Some former workers who did not obtain affords have taken to social networks to disclose that that they had been saved at midnight and were in limbo over the previous couple of weeks. 

Primarily based on Songtradr’s assertion to Selection, the transfer was financially motivated: “Over the previous few years the working prices of Bandcamp have considerably elevated,” they mentioned. “It required some changes to make sure a sustainable and wholesome firm that may serve its group of artists and followers. We’re dedicated to maintaining the prevailing Bandcamp providers that followers and artists love, together with its artist-first income share, Bandcamp Fridays and Bandcamp Day by day. We’re trying ahead to welcoming Bandcamp into our musically aligned group. We share a deep ardour for all issues music and can proceed to serve artists, labels and the followers who make all of it doable.”

What the spokesperson mentioned echoes an electronic mail written by Songtradr CEO Paul Wiltshire to the remaining Bandcamp workers. He mentioned that Bandcamp has not been wholesome financially, and that whereas its income has been constant, its working prices have “considerably elevated making it unattainable to proceed working the enterprise the best way it has been.”

Songtradr bought Bandcamp from Epic Video games in September, merely a 12 months and a half after the sport developer’s shock acquisition of the music firm. Bandcamp workers had organized below Epic, and so they’re now combating for Songtradr to acknowledge their union. Members advised SFGate that they are going to now negotiate severance packages with Epic, whereas nonmembers will obtain six months of severance pay.

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Supply: Engadget