Taylor Swift is also releasing music on cassettes again

Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and soon the Spice Girls and Neil Young; they are not the latest names in pop music who are currently also releasing their work on – yes – cassette tapes. The longtime record made a successful comeback years ago, but who is waiting for the return of the C60 or C90 tapes?

Apparently consumer enough, because cassette – with its heyday in the 1980s – is becoming a serious niche market. From Midnight, Taylor Swift’s new album, for example, has already sold a few thousand in England.

“Just the fact that you put out music on tape is great, isn’t it?” says Thomas Baur. He owns the only cassette factory in the Netherlands. “This means huge recognition.”

When Baur took over De Bandjesfabriek in Lochem in Gelderse in 2017 and saved it from destruction in an instant, many people looked at him with compassion: “You see that most people no longer see the usefulness of the tape. But look at all this. Those people who play vinyl records or drive classic cars. Often they do it not for comfort or optimum quality, but for the experience. That’s what it’s all about. “

Louk Boudesteijn, passionate car cassette listener and musician, knows why the cassette is back. “In music and fashion, of course, you see a total rebirth from the 80s and 90s. Look on the street, around you. All those sounds in the music, in the clothes. Of course, the cassette is also part of this. I’m starting to seriously think about making a tape myself. For real. If you want to release a vinyl record now, there is a one year waiting period. This is also an argument, right? It’s just fun, nothing more, nothing less. “

Excelsior Recordings releases music from artists such as Danny Vera, The Kik, Tim Knol and Spinvis. “Let’s look at which releases are nice to release on cassette in small editions. To bring attention back to that old musical vector,” says Jim Remers on behalf of Excelsior. “The editions are always small, 40 or 50 pieces. We once did Spinvis with 1000 copies.”

Think that it will always remain a niche market. “It’s just a nice gadget to promote especially beginner artists. I’m in a band too and by chance our new record comes out on Friday. Also on cassette. You only have extras to sell after your performances.”

Around 35,000 music cassettes will be produced in Lochem this year. Recently the music of Lochem by Danny Vera, Blaudzun and Jett Rebel has been released. The old work of André Hazes and Normal is coming.