“Do you have Jealous of the Birds on vinyl?”

“I, ah, do.”

I am a nerd when it comes to Lean and data.

Good-bye, Jealous of the Birds vinyl.

This was my fifteen-year-old kiddo – looking to adopt my vinyl. He and his friends frequent a local record store, too, and go to shows. When they discover a new favorite band through streaming, they go shopping for vinyl, CDs, even cassettes to:

• Enjoy the art, the lyric sheet, the tangible object
• Listen and share with friends
• Appreciate the improved sound quality versus streaming
• Support the musicians they’ve discovered

Fans understand that going to shows and buying physical, at the merch table and from direct-to-fan online platforms, helps their favorite musicians make money (& make more music).

This isn’t an “older demographic” trend. Fans, particularly younger Gen Z folks, want to support you by buying physical music.

“Gen Z is also known for its support of independent and niche artists. Buying a physical CD is seen as a more direct way to support musicians, especially when attending concerts and purchasing merchandise. It’s a tangible expression of support, with a sense of connection between the fan and the artist.” Martin Hi Fi.

The RIAA confirms through Axios: 

“Revenues from physical music formats, including CDs, recently hit a decade high…. Gen Z is also known for its support of independent and niche artists. Buying a physical CD is seen as a more direct way to support musicians, especially when attending concerts and purchasing merchandise. It’s a tangible expression of support, with a sense of connection between the fan and the artist.”

So it’s not just my kiddo, his friends, or my retro-embracing community here in Portland, Oregon. It’s bigger than that.

It’s YOUR fans. They want to have a tactile experience with YOUR music, and they want to support YOU in your creative journey.

Ready to embrace (or re-embrace) physical? Join our mailing list! Follow us on social media (Instagram, < a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093814492381">Facebook)! Connect with me on LinkedIn!

When you’ve got your physical merch in hand, we’ll help you store, list, sell, and fulfill your merch. Your fans will be delighted! And you’ll keep 100% of your sales.

– Rob

Want to learn more about me and Spinney Media, click here

Interested in partnering with Spinney Media, write me at rob@spinneymedia.com

Sources:

Martins Hi Fi (“The Resurgence of Physical Music: Why Gen Z is Buying CDs in the Streaming Era”, LinkedIn)

Axios “CDs are making a comeback thanks to Gen Z”