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Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
I stream thousands of minutes of music every year. Since 2016, it’s been me and my perfectly curated Spotify playlists against the world.
But music streaming isn’t without its issues. For years, critics have argued that many of these platforms don’t fairly compensate artists.
Back in January, I challenged myself to spend a week without streaming music altogether. For seven days, I supported my most-loved musicians by swapping Spotify Premium for an MP3 player and vinyl records.
Read the story: I traded Spotify with an MP3 player for a week. Life outside the algorithm was rough
For many of us, cutting out streaming isn’t realistic or practical, which led me to seek out alternative solutions that support artists without taking away access to their music. And who better to ask for advice than a musician?
I called Phoenix-based singer-songwriter Victoria Bigelow, who shared small changes we can make to our music-listening habits to help our favorite artists thrive.
Try smaller streaming platforms …
Some musicians love Bandcamp (80%-85% of sales paid to the record label or artist) and Tidal (about $.013 per stream, compared to Spotify’s paltry $.003-$.005) for its high compensation rates.
“If you’re an audiophile, Tidal is the best place to start, and it’s amazing for supporting artists,” Bigelow said.
You also don’t have to worry about losing all of your playlists when switching. Tidal has a feature called “transfer music,” allowing you to import your tracks and playlists from Spotify or Apple Music.
… Or a more artist-friendly giant
While Apple Music’s royalty rate isn’t as high as Tidal’s, it offers double Spotify’s rate per stream.
“When a song does really well on Apple compared to when a song of mine isn’t really well on Spotify, the difference definitely shows up in my bank account,” said Bigelow.
Merch matters
Bigelow said merch sales are crucial for musicians. Touring is expensive, and some artists can’t afford to tour at all.
“Everyone gets a cut before you do. And financially, [touring] can put people in a really rough spot. So I think merch is one way that artists actually get to have control, unless they’re fully independent,” she said.
Listen local
“I think there’s a movement towards physical interaction and community-driven spaces. Show up locally for artists that you care about,” Bigelow said.
You can follow local venues on social media and sign up for their newsletters to find out about upcoming shows.
Bigelow also suggested tuning into the closest college radio station to discover local artists and hear about future performances. Sites such as Campus.fm can help you find a specific station that you’d enjoy.
Sustainability hacks: heated laundry drying racks
I live in the US, but like many British homes, my residence is equipped with a lousy combination washer-dryer unit. My clothes often emerge damp, forcing me to choose between leaving them to air-dry overnight or putting them through another cycle in the dryer.
Heated drying racks solve that dilemma – taking four hours or less to dry and using less electricity than your standard machine. This helps explain why they have surged in popularity in the UK.
We rounded up our favorites, including a high-capacity model (38 linear ft) for those of you who cycle through five outfits a day and an option for small spaces that comes equipped with its own shoe rack.
Tors + Olsson X Frame
Sharndy Electric Heated Drying Rack
Read the full guide: Heated laundry drying racks are the British money saver you didn’t know you needed
Home-cook upgrades: leftover storage
One of our most popular stories in recent months was about a money-saving and sustainable way of storing your leftovers.
We adore these plastic-free containers that take up less real estate in your fridge and almost guarantee that the meal you spent hours prepping doesn’t go to waste. Because they’re made of glass rather than plastic, you don’t have to worry about putting them in the microwave. You can even cook in them – really.
Anyday 2-Cup Glass Round Dish Multipack
Our favorite glass containers: The Anyday glass food containers transformed how I store leftovers
On my mind: laundry hacks
By now, I’ve belabored the point – my laundry setup isn’t the best.
But I’m not throwing in the towel (pun intended), resigning myself to a fate of stiff linens and lint-filled leggings. Instead, I’m investing in easy upgrades (such as dryer balls) to lend my washer-dryer a helping hand.
For more inspiration, Filter US contributors rounded up their holy grail laundry products, including this non-toxic, luxurious detergent and a fabric spray that is perfect for freshening up your clothing on the go.
DedCool Dedtergent Mochi Milk
The Laundress Fabric Spray
Read our laundry coverage:
Readers’ corner: what you loved in February
Throughout February, we shared dozens of product recommendations in our quest to help you make smarter purchases that will last. At the end of the month, we crunched the numbers, identifying the 11 products that had you falling head over heels. I was pleased to find my favorite reading journal made the list, alongside this non-toxic, nonstick pan.
Papier Reading Journal
Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro
Discover your February favorites: A non-toxic cooking pan and a $7 hand cream: 11 things you loved in February
Get involved: the best children’s games
We’ve shared our favorite gifts for kids, favorite puzzles and board games. Now, we want to hear from children themselves about their most-loved.
If you have an opinionated child in your life who wants to share the game they can play for hours on end, email thefilter.us@theguardian.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming story.
Two new series from the Filter
We’re excited to share the launch of Plastic-free life and Do not disturb, two new series to help you easily access our product recommendations across two of our most popular categories: sustainability and sleep.
Plastic-free life is your one-stop shop for items better for you and the planet. Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite eco-friendly products, including a plastic-free alternative to laundry detergent and a non-toxic swap for your favorite nonstick pan.
Explore the stories:
Think of Do not disturb as your personal time machine, transporting you to an era before smartphones took over – or to a future where you have reclaimed at least a little phone-free peace of mind. Here, you will find tips for reducing your screen time, our favorite phone-free activities and lighthearted attempts at living an analog life.
Explore the stories:
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