Songtradr hints at potential Bandcamp layoffs amid acquisition

Songtradr has revealed that "not all Bandcamp employees will receive offers" from the music licensing company, following its acquisition next month.

The online record store is in the midst of being bought by the licensing company, with Songtradr purchasing the company from Epic Games. The video game company had only acquired Bandcamp less than 18 months ago itself.

In a statement sent to Resident Advisor, the music licensing company have justified the layoffs as necessary "adjustments to ensure a sustainable and healthy company that can serve its community of artists and fans long into the future."

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Songtradr's statement was in response to a press release sent out by Bandcamp's union, Bandcamp United, who called for "employment offers for all workers; clear, consistent, and equitable voluntary severance offers; and recognition of their union at Songtradr with a speedy continuation to bargaining while maintaining all the progress that has been made at the table."

Bandcamp United had been in negotiations with Epic Games prior to news of the acquisition, and have since called on Songtradr to recognise and negotiate with them. The union had been established in March 2023 as a push for fairer wages and greater transparency from Bandcamp leadership.

Songtradr also announced that it is "planning to keep all existing Bandcamp services that fans and artists love, including Bandcamp Fridays, Bandcamp Daily and its artist-first revenue share."

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There are plans for Songtradr to work with Bandcamp to provide artists with opportunities to secure licensing deals for themselves. Epic Games will still be involved with Bandcamp in this guise, as it will continue collaborate with the platform for projects like Fortnite Radio.

[via RA]

Tibor Heskett is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter