Become worthless (to tech companies) • Cory Dransfeldt

I’ve been buying more physical media lately because I don’t like the idea of paying for digital copies that someone can decide to pull from my library with no recourse.

Also, have found that a way to partly combat being productized online is to build a life, hobby, or community offline. Time not spent on the algorithms is usually better for my mental well-being anyway. YMMV

I still buy digital media, but only if it’s in a format that I can download and keep locally, such as when I buy albums these days, I make sure to buy the MP3 versions so that I can download them to my machine and keep them.

Anything that’s accessed through some sort of app and won’t allow me to download it is an immediate no.

Shout out to Qobuz, I started my digital collection there. They sell DRM-free downloads in FLAC format (when available, otherwise MP3)

I haven’t tried that site yet… how is the selection of artists? Mainstream or not?

I’m on bandcamp and get most of everything there but it does tend to be indie acts.

I listen mostly to progressive metal, which is kinda niche, and I’ve found pretty much anything I went looking for. Not sure about indie acts in general. Try browsing their download store - my only gripe with them is that the UI is pretty bad. The service is solid, though.

Also, seeing as they are DRM-free downloads, you could use Qobuz as a supplement to bandcamp for bands that are not on bandcamp, or vice versa :)