Starting tomorrow, both the Official New Zealand Music Charts and IMNZ Charts will include physical and digital sales from Bandcamp – an online community where artists and labels sell their music direct to fans.
The addition comes as Recorded Music New Zealand continues to evolve the Charts to accurately reflect all the ways that New Zealanders collectively consume music.
Bandcamp joins other popular online music services that contribute such as Spotify, Google Play and Apple Music and traditional physical retailers such as The Warehouse and JB HiFi.
Recorded Music New Zealand Data Manager Paul Kennedy says the changes are in line with the organisation’s commitment to reflecting how music consumption keeps evolving.
“Bandcamp has become a popular destination for local music fans, especially those looking to explore the full depth of independent and innovative music available out there today,” he says.
“Being able to fully reflect that diversity of music in both the Official Top 40 and the IMNZ charts is something we are very pleased to be able to do.”
This follows the inclusion of streaming in the Singles Chart in 2014 and the Album Charts in June this year.
Bandcamp’s Chief Curator Andrew Jervis says, “New Zealand has so many amazing labels and artists, many of whom use the site. From labels like Flying Nun to Loop Recordings, and a massive array of artists from established acts like Fat Freddy’s Drop and Connan Mockasin, to up and coming groups like Yoko-Zuna, the new New Zealand music scene is alive and kicking. We’re delighted that sales happening on Bandcamp will now count towards the New Zealand charts because it should help more fans find more amazing music.“
Dylan Pellett, General Manager of Independent Music New Zealand says the addition is a hugely welcome one.
“Bandcamp has become one of the easiest paths to market for New Zealand labels and artists. IMNZ is really happy to include their statistics into the charts ecosystem and we’re confident this will be of great benefit to all independent artists and labels.”