Leerecs
What Artists Think About Cassettes
From indie rock to metal to pop punk — artists on Leerecs on the cassette resurgence and why the format still matters.
The Cassette as Statement
A cassette tape is an artistic decision. Unlike a digital download that arrives invisibly, a cassette arrives in an envelope, is unwrapped, inserted, and rewound. It requires commitment from the listener. Artists who release cassettes are making a statement about their music's tactile value.
"Life is strange, but the weird is beautiful."
Tony Leo's indie rock with punk influences is a natural fit for cassette — a format that carries the same DIY ethos as the music.
"Chemistry is the secret ingredient."
For a band that traces its name to a Green Day lyric, cassettes are a natural home — the format that defined the era of alternative rock's breakthrough.
"Wake up and move forward."
Lihim built an entirely independent career — cassettes represent the same self-sufficiency that defines their approach to the music business.
"Keep on dreaming and follow your dreams."
Minerva's blend of violin and alternative rock translates beautifully to the warm, slightly lo-fi character of cassette playback.
The Cassette Resurgence by Numbers
Cassette sales have grown consistently since 2016. In the UK, cassette sales hit a 15-year high in 2022. In the US, artists like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles drove mainstream cassette sales — but independent artists drove the underlying market growth years earlier.
For independent artists in indie rock, alternative, punk, lo-fi, and metal, cassettes are now a standard physical format alongside vinyl.
Sell Cassettes on Leerecs
Leerecs supports on-demand cassette manufacturing — no minimum order, no upfront cost, ships direct to fan.