Bandcamp Friday Picks: March 2026

It’s another Bandcamp Friday! That means Bandcamp waives their revenue share and passes the funds directly to artists and labels. It’s one of the best ways to support those artists you love. According to Bandcamp, over $120 million has gone directly to labels and musicians since Bandcamp Friday’s inception in 2020.

Here are my picks for this Bandcamp Friday:

  • Black Cross Hotel – “Rebel Yell” The Chicago outfit brings an industrial/darkwave flare to the Billy Idol classic.
  • Various Artists – HELP (2) This all-star compilation from War Child Records features Pulp, The Last Dinner Party, Depeche Mode, Blur, Beth Gibbons, and so many more greats. Your purchase supports humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Yemen, Ukraine, and Sudan.
  • Yeah Everything – Better Than I Remember EP Infectious indie rock from New Hampshire.
  • The Early Years – Modern Moonlight (Pre-order) Soaring British rock. Echoes of Embrace but with a modern, electronic breadth.
  • Ora Cogan – Hard Hearted Woman (Pre-order) Cogan’s debut for Sacred Bones Records. It’s got a baroque-folk-gothic vibe. I’m quite in love with the track “Division.”
  • The Cybertronic Spree – ANYTHING! This Canadian band had the catalytic converter stolen out of their touring RV. They are serious fun.
  • Good Day Father – “Sonic Amadea” I am completely obsessed with this gorgeous single by Brian Futter of Catherine Wheel with Tanya Donelly of Belly. It’s exactly what you’d want from the two.

Thank Goodness It’s Bandcamp Friday

What I miss the most from the Before Times is concerts. That was when we’d leave our homes and get to watch musical artists perform in front of us. IRL.

As a disabled person with a failing body, music transports me in a way that is magical and healing. And nothing beats hearing music in the flesh. Sometimes, I’d even push through all my pain and dance to my most favorite songs.

Local H on February 17, 2020 at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston. My last show.

One of the aspects of this New Normal that I find worrisome is the financial stability of musicians. Revenue from touring can be a huge part of their income. Musicians are now entering their sixth month without that income and there’s no real end in sight.

But don’t despair! There’s a way that you can help. On the first Friday of each month, Bandcamp has waived their revenue fees so that more money goes directly to artists. You can buy some tunes and help out your favorite bands at the same time.

Bandcamp started this endeavor in March and recently announced that they will be having “Bandcamp Fridays” on the first Friday of each month for the rest of 2020. If you’re not familiar with Bandcamp, it’s a website where you can buy digital music, physical music, and other merchandise. You can also stream music before, so you can check out the goods before you spend money. Typically, 80-85% of your money goes directly to the artist, but on Bandcamp Fridays, they get even more of your money.

Here are some of my picks for your Bandcamp Friday purchases:

  • Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – All the Good Times Welch and Rawlings are two of the artists I’m most proud of having worked with. They are fucking brilliant and if you haven’t seen them live, you should make seeing them a post-pandemic must.
  • The Rentals – Q36
  • Various Artists – Saving for a Custom Van Loads of your favorite musicians pay tribute to the late Adam Schlesinger in this compilation. Kay Hanley, Tanya Donelly, Gail Greenwood, Nada Surf, Motion City Soundtrack, Ted Leo, and more recorded covers to benefit MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund, which is dedicated to helping music industry and community members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schlesinger passed away from complications from COVID-19 on April 1.
  • Sonic45 – Pills I’m always a fan of songs that remind me to take my meds.
  • Dama Scout – Milky Milk
  • Diet Cig – Do You Wonder About Me You looking for some female-fronted power pop? Get your fix with Diet Cig!
  • American Hi-Fi – Anywhere Else But Here A fun EP of covers by the lads. Buy it on its August 7 release date.
  • Dumb Numbers – Dumb Numbers II
  • Libido Reign – Libido Lane/Standing In Your Reign Shout out to my neighbor, Dan, for making this fun recording as a tribute to his uncle’s band.