Forget the comeback of Vinyl. Tapes are back with a vengeance.
OK, that’s too dramatic. However, there is an emerging trend I’m starting to notice.
I keep hearing about artists putting out cassettes again. At first I thought it was a just a gimmicky thing certain indie bands were doing, but the more I see it, I wonder if kids are actually going out and buying tape decks. The new chill-wave act, Teen Daze, is releasing music on cassette. This guy must be 19 or something. How does he even know what cassettes are?
Maybe it’s this whole 80’s influence that’s had an impact on a lot of music coming out in these first 10 years of the 21st century. Or maybe it’s a souvenir type thing as they got the music for free digitally. Man, it’s been 10 years since 2000….
Anyways, whatever the reason, this is a movement that may see more traction as time goes on. Depending on your music and scene, it might not be the best idea, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
More on this trend at Pitchfork.
Hoover
4 Comments
I was just at a De-Centralized Dance Party and there still seems to be tones of youth with boom boxes that can still play tapes. Even though I don’t think tapes were used for the actual dance party, the boom boxes all looked like old school gear without cd players and aux inputs for ipods, but they could still all rock tapes.
@Jeffro – this sounds like a ebay business, picking up old tape decks and walkmans from garage sales the world over..
@Mary Ellen – Did you actually listen to the tape or just want it since it was a novel merch item?
I was thinking the same thing…and I better keep my old stereo. I purchased a Teen Daze cassette – a great keepsake.
Hmmm, wonder if Sony spoke too soon on the discontinuation of the walkman a couple of weeks ago…