Why Indie Bands Are Releasing Cassettes Again

How-to GuidesAll About Tapes
Written By TapeLab

At an underground show, the merch table almost always has cassettes. But why are indie bands embracing a format most people considered obsolete?

Accessibility

Cassettes are cheap to produce in small runs, making them the perfect physical merch for bands on a budget.

Aesthetic

The cassette is DIY by design. The packaging, the imperfections, the analog vibe—it all speaks to authenticity.

Community

Cassette culture thrives on exclusivity. Owning one feels like being part of an inner circle.

Tape Lab embodies this ethos. Their limited cassette drops don’t just distribute music; they create artifacts—physical symbols of belonging to something underground.

TapeLab

Welcome to #TapeLab—stay a while and listen. Founded in 2017 by lifelong friends, Tape Lab is a collective of artists and a hub for innovation, always open to collaboration. With the zeal of a self-published memoir, our sound is our own, but you can be the decider. We make music and art that sounds like it was fun to make and stands out in a sea of bland beats.

As independent artists, we are always exploring new ways to expand our audience and find new creative outlets—especially with other undiscovered artists!

#TapeLab is currently based out of two headquarters in Durham, NC, and The Hamptons, NY.

https://www.TapeLab.live
Previous

How to Make Art on Tape
Next

The MEGARCHIVE Has Reached Critical Mass