Bandcamp’s worker numbers have been decreased by 50% as Epic Video games completes its sale of the platform to Songtradr.
With Songtradr’s acquisition of unbiased music platform Bandcamp, Epic Video games has laid off half of the latter’s workers, citing Bandcamp’s rising working prices over the previous few years. Songtradr picked up the corporate from Epic Video games, which solely acquired Bandcamp final 12 months, however just lately decreased its workers by round 16%.
Bandcamp’s US staff launched a union earlier this 12 months, saying earlier this month their define of calls for despatched to Songtradr pertaining to the sale of the corporate. Whereas it’s not but identified if Songtradr plans to acknowledge the Bandcamp staff’ union, given the displacement of half the corporate’s workers, indicators factors to the unfavorable.
Both manner, Songtradr makes no point out of the union in an announcement launched on Monday, confirming the completion of its acquisition of Bandcamp: “Over the previous few years, the working prices of Bandcamp have considerably elevated. It required some changes to make sure a sustainable and wholesome firm that may serve its group of artists and followers. After a complete analysis, together with the significance of roles for clean enterprise operations and pre-existing capabilities at Songtradr, 50% of Bandcamp staff have accepted gives to affix Songtradr.”
“We’re dedicated to holding the present Bandcamp companies that followers and artists love, together with its artist-first income share, Bandcamp Fridays, and Bandcamp Day by day,” Songtradr’s assertion continues. “We’re wanting ahead to welcoming Bandcamp into our musically aligned group. We share a deep ardour for all issues music and can proceed to serve artists, labels, and the followers who make all of it doable.”
“The acquisition of Bandcamp will assist Songtradr proceed to develop its suite of companies for artists,” mentioned Songtradr CEO Paul Wiltshire when the acquisition was introduced. “I’m a passionate musician myself, and artistry and creativity have at all times been on the coronary heart of Songtradr — Bandcamp will be part of a group of music trade veterans and artists who’ve deep experience in music licensing, composition, rights administration, and distribution.”
On September 28, earlier than handing Bandcamp off to Songtradr, Epic Video games wrote in an inner announcement to workers that Songtradr would offer positions to “some Bandcamp staff, however not all.” That memo additional implies that Songtradr plans to not acknowledge the Bandcamp worker union; a person with information of the scenario mentioned the corporate didn’t but have an update pertaining to the union.