New Member FAQ
Can I create multiple artist accounts?
Yes, members can create and manage multiple artist pages. Since membership is tied to individuals rather than bands, each of your band members can join separately while you manage multiple artist pages from your account. Once you are approved for one project, you don't need to apply again.
How is Subvert structured?
Subvert has a unique dual entity structure of a cooperative and a public benefit corporation. This consists of Subvert Cooperative LCA (owned by artists, labels, supporters, and workers) and Subvert Inc. PBC (a Public Benefit Corporation wholly owned by the Co-op). The Co-op owns 100% of the Corporation's founding shares, maintaining fundamental control while enabling traditional fundraising. This unique structure preserves collective control while solving the funding challenges that often limit cooperatives.
If I join as an artist, can I also be a “supporter member”?
Yes. Co-op membership is tied to you as an individual. This means you can belong to multiple membership classes simultaneously. If you have been approved as an Artist-Member, but also want to become a Supporter-Member, you can go through the flow on the homepage. Use the same email and our system will recognize you and your member number.
What's the revenue split/ platform fee?
0%. Read more here about our alternative Optional Contributions model.
Are you hiring?
We are not hiring at the moment. We have a policy giving members first look at any full time or contract work opportunities, though.
Where can I dive deeper into how the co-op works?
Read our zine, explore our docs, or take a deeper dive into our structure and set of agreements.
What's the position on AI?
We stand against AI systems that exploit artists' work trained without consent and replace human creativity with algorithmic output. We don't accept fully AI-generated music or artwork.
During our application review process, we screen for obvious signs of generative AI in both music and artwork. We focus on clear cases rather than trying to investigate every nuanced use - our small team can't litigate every instance, but we act on what's obviously problematic.
Violations of our AI policy can result in expulsion from the co-op.
Who are the team?
The team is currently two full time workers and two part time workers. Austin Robey and Sean Adams are full time and based in NYC. We also work with designers Lucy Liu (Props Supply) based in NYC and our fractional head of growth Mitchell Maynard, based in Lisbon. You can read a bit more about the founding background here.
I’m an artist, but I also have a label - how does that work?
Co-op membership is tied to you as an individual. This means you can belong to multiple membership classes simultaneously. If you are both an artist and a label, you only need to apply once.
What are your politics?
We're focused on building economic democracy through collective ownership. Rather than getting caught up in ideological labels, we're interested in practical solutions that give artists and workers real power over both their workplace and the platforms they depend on.
Call it market socialism, platform cooperativism, or just common sense. Doesn't matter to us. What matters most is creating a music ecosystem where artists and workers are in control.
How do you make sure something like this doesn’t get corrupted?
We've learned from platforms like Bandcamp that good intentions aren't enough. We need structural safeguards built into the foundation.
Here's how we've designed accountability into the system:
Democratic control: The co-op members elect the board, the board hires leadership, and leadership answers to the membership. Power flows upward, not downward.
Legal structure: Our dual-entity model ensures the co-op maintains control of platform operations. Even if we take investment, investors can't override member decisions.
Codified governance: Everything is written down in our bylaws and organizing documents.
Transparent finances: Members see our budgets, funding sources, and how money gets spent.
Member sovereignty: Ultimate authority rests with the membership. If leadership isn't serving the collective, they can be replaced.
What is the business model?
When the platform is live, it will operate under a model of “Optional Contributions” explained here. This will allow purchasers to financially contribute to the platform and remove the burden of platform fees from artists and labels. Besides platform revenue, we also earn from co-op memberships and zine sales.
Can I join the co-op and still use other platforms?
Absolutely. Joining Subvert doesn't restrict you from using other platforms at all. You're free to continue using Bandcamp or any other service alongside Subvert. But you should probably put Subvert at the top of your link tree.
Is there a limit to how many artists can join?
No, there's no limit to how many artists can join Subvert. We're building a platform that can scale to serve the broader independent music community, with hundreds of thousands or even millions of members.
Can I update my information?
Yes. In the future, when you are able to create an artist page, you can update your information (artist name, email, etc).
Will I be able to sell physical items through Subvert? Merch?
Yes, physical media and merch sales are part of our roadmap. We're starting with digital downloads first so we can launch quickly and get the platform into members' hands, then we'll build out physical fulfillment features based on member feedback and demand.
Is my personal information safe?
We collect your full name and mailing address for cooperative member records (legally required). This information stays internal and is never shared with third parties or published anywhere. On the platform itself, you can use any username or artist name you want — no real names required.
How do you plan to compete with Bandcamp?
We're competing on multiple fronts: offering a better product with modernized design and improved features; providing actual ownership and democratic control that Bandcamp can't match; and building with direct member input rather than behind closed doors. We have also carefully structured Subvert so that it can be adequately funded to be competitive and support a talented full time team.
How will you attract users from Bandcamp?
It won’t be easy, but we’re going to attract users from Bandcamp through our unique offering of co-op ownership, a better platform, better economics, and community control. We’ll work on making it as easy as possible to switch.Ultimately, we’ll work together to leverage our collective networks and channels.
How will the platform itself be different than Bandcamp?
Beyond co-ownership:
Platform Features:
- Better artist/label page relationships to eliminate duplicate listings
- Ability to easily manage multiple artist pages
- Improved and structured metadata with credit-based search functionality
- Flexible organization system - bookmark artists and releases into customizable "Collections" folders
- Collections serve as curatorial editorial formats with accompanying text
- Revenue payment splits
- Persistent audio player
Co-op experience built into platform:
- Discounts and special access for co-op members
- Ownership dashboard to track your patronage activity and platform value
Not all of these features are included in our V1, but most of them are.
How far along is the platform development?
As of Summer 2025, the platform is in private testing with select members, and will open up in phases throughout the rest of the year. Read more here.
How can I help?
The best way to help Subvert is to help spread the word. Share a video on Instagram. Tell an artist friend you know to join. If you're in a band, get your other bandmates to join.
We have an internal rule that all labor for Subvert is paid. This means that we don’t have volunteer opportunities - but members get first look at any full time or contract work.
How do I follow along and join the conversation? What’s next?
Join the members forum and look for dispatch newsletters. The invitation to join the forum is in your welcome email.