"Shout"ing a Call to Action
The Full Release of the Start the Tape Debut Single
The day has arrived - “Shout” is fully launched on all platforms, in addition to its original release on Bandcamp. This is the final full article about “Shout” - after this, we’ll move on to other topics.
If you’ve been following along for the last several weeks, you’ve seen a few articles for Start the Tape’s debut release, a cover of the Tears for Fears hit “Shout”:
We discussed how a prodigal mandolin survived WWII and made its way into my collection
How specific sound design shaped the emotional intent behind the reworked song
The feedback on “Shout” has been phenomenal, undoubtedly in part because it’s a phenomenal song in itself. But I never imagined that the version I helped bring to life with Start the Tape would have generated so much wonderful conversation. I am grateful for all who have listened and sent me comments or messages about the song. Thank you all.
But this is a call to action. I’d like to make more songs, both as RomHeadTech and as Start the Tape; however, as cheap as I have been able to make it, making music is not completely free. So here’s the call to action: if “Shout” resonated with you, I’m asking you to please do at least one of the following -
Please purchase the song from our Bandcamp store. Bonus points if you buy it during Bandcamp Friday today, as all proceeds will go to Start the Tape.
If you are a streamer, you can stream it on your platform of choice. If you stream it, would you mind adding the track to a playlist as well?
Share it with someone, especially someone who you know likes Tears for Fears or the brooding folksy sound we used to cover “Shout”.
Purchasing music is a fast and easy way to bring a smile to the face of an artist or band. Bandcamp purchases are even more personal - almost every time I’ve made a purchase on Bandcamp, I have received a heartfelt message from the artist. Streams are nice, but you would have to stream the song 500 times (or more!) to generate the same dollar impact as buying the song on Bandcamp.
Without getting into specifics, we’re living in some interesting times. “Shout” was created 100% by humans playing instruments. Even the virtual instruments were played using a MIDI keyboard. Your support will help us to continue making human music.
If you’re unable to support but want to, reach out to me please.
And for those who have already supported by buying or talking to me about the song:
It’s a good version, wish you much success with it.
I know I have commented on this cover of “Shout” before, but seeing the full release story laid out like this makes the project land even more clearly. What still stands out to me is that this was never treated as a novelty cover or an easy nostalgia play. You and Start the Tape took a very familiar song and rebuilt it with a darker, more intimate, folk-inflected character that gives it a different emotional weight. That kind of reworking is much harder than simply reproducing what people already know.
I also think your closing call to action is fair and well put. Too many listeners forget that independent music only keeps moving when people actively support it. This feels like a thoughtful reminder that real musicians, real instruments, and real creative labor still matter.