Bandcamp was the best, I think. They're still around, but their future is uncertain after being bought and sold. They have human written posts about like "the best doom in Texas" or "what's new in punk".

Whenever I talk to people that say they like music, and I suggest they buy albums instead of renting them from Spotify, they look at me like I'm crazy. They'd rather sell their soul for a little convenience. (And these aren't poor people or teenagers with no money. I worked in tech and all my peers were six figure salary. They can afford to buy three albums a month for $18. Which frankly isn't much more than a subscription, but then you get to keep something and eventually have a huge library)

[–] meh@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

the artist's website (or actual indy label), bandcamp then piracy in that order for me. if i can pay the artist, i'll pay the artist. then it goes on my jellyfin server. bandcamp and the brooklynvegan have had some great lists. my kid has recently discovered music is more than background noise in video games and thinks vinyl is cool though. he's hooked hard on rise aginst so i've had to add the local record shop then ebay into the mix. my bank account isnt happy and i will likely buy badtimerecords entire vinyl catalog for myself now. dont let your kids get into vinyl folks its a fucking trap!

[–] jqubed@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Adding to your list I still buy CDs and rip them too, although rarely nowadays. The independent music shop I went to as a teenager still exists (Schoolkids Records), although in a different location and they’re down to only 1 store.