Help me download rare-ish music without destroying my laptop
January 22, 2015 8:33 AM Subscribe
I need to purchase a copy of the Punch Brothers' cover of Reptilia, but it isn't available on iTunes or Amazon. Anyone know where I can buy it? Obsessive Googling hasn't helped me so far.
And... for the future: I run into this situation a fair amount. I am a choreographer and often fall in love with versions of songs that aren't commonly available for purchase. I do need to actually download (and later edit) songs, so just listening to the streaming version isn't an option. I can often find free downloads of songs that I want, but every instinct tells me to run away from free mp3s. Any tips on deciphering what free downloads (if any) are legit and not just a way to fill my laptop with malicious junk?
And... for the future: I run into this situation a fair amount. I am a choreographer and often fall in love with versions of songs that aren't commonly available for purchase. I do need to actually download (and later edit) songs, so just listening to the streaming version isn't an option. I can often find free downloads of songs that I want, but every instinct tells me to run away from free mp3s. Any tips on deciphering what free downloads (if any) are legit and not just a way to fill my laptop with malicious junk?
Yeah, if you don't need a super high-quality version, I was also going to suggest ripping the audio from that YouTube video.
posted by onehundredand80 at 8:47 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by onehundredand80 at 8:47 AM on January 22, 2015
If the artist has an online presence, asking them can be fruitful. (My husband once asked a moderately obscure artist about how to purchase a VERY obscure track, and the artist emailed it to him for free with a nice note.)
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:48 AM on January 22, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:48 AM on January 22, 2015 [6 favorites]
From skimming the comments it looks like it was a cover they probably performed in the studio and isn't going to be on any album.
You could try contacting the radio station or the band and seeing what they can do for you but you're probably going to have to settle for a YouTube rip for this.
As far as what's legitimately free - if it's not Amazon/iTunes/Bandcamp/Soundcloud/etc, the artist, or the record label's website - then I'd stay away.
posted by Gev at 9:14 AM on January 22, 2015
You could try contacting the radio station or the band and seeing what they can do for you but you're probably going to have to settle for a YouTube rip for this.
As far as what's legitimately free - if it's not Amazon/iTunes/Bandcamp/Soundcloud/etc, the artist, or the record label's website - then I'd stay away.
posted by Gev at 9:14 AM on January 22, 2015
I'd contact WNRN. And yes, you could try the band, too. They're very friendly.
posted by three_red_balloons at 9:20 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by three_red_balloons at 9:20 AM on January 22, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the help.
posted by hessie at 9:22 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by hessie at 9:22 AM on January 22, 2015
I'm mostly fairly confident that track has never been officially released. The options above are great. It's also on some of the live recordings floating around the net from that tour.
posted by piedmont at 9:42 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by piedmont at 9:42 AM on January 22, 2015
Unfortunately, WNRN's "In Studio Volume 2" album had the song "Alex" on there, but I'd definitely contact Melissa or Anne at the station.
posted by kuanes at 10:39 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by kuanes at 10:39 AM on January 22, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by empath at 8:41 AM on January 22, 2015 [7 favorites]