FAQs

Putumayo is a river that begins in the South American country of Colombia and flows along the border of Ecuador and Peru until it reaches the Amazon in Brazil. Putumayo's founder, Dan Storper, was traveling through the region in 1974, and was so enamored with its beauty, he decided to name his new handicraft shop after it. The etymological origins of the word Putumayo in Quechua (indigenous Indian language) are as follows: Mayu (or Mayo) means "River" and Putu can mean either a gourd for drinking chicha, which is a homemade corn/maize liquor, or "nace" (birth) or "sale" (leaves). Therefore, the Quechuan origins of the Putumayo word could be understood to mean either a gourd river or "birth of the river." Another literal meaning of the word Putumayo is a heron (type of bird).

Q: What download formats are offered on Bandcamp?

A: Bandcamp offers an array of digital download formats: MP3 V0, MP3 320, FLAC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, ALAC, WAV, AIFF.

The default download format for Bandcamp is MP3. These files also include high quality cover art, artist and track names, and booklets. You can also download in FLAC, ALAC (Apple Lossless), AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WAV and AIFF formats. These are high quality options, favored by audiophiles and those invested in higher quality streaming.

Q: How do I gift a digital album on Bandcamp?

A: There are two ways to send digital album gifts on Bandcamp.

Individual Album Gifts: On each album page, there is a line that says “Send as Gift” in blue underneath the “Digital Album” heading and album description. Click on the “Send as Gift” text and a pop-up window will appear. Fill out as directed.

If issues arise, visit this Bandcamp article or contact us at: info@putumayo.com:

Digital Gift Cards: With a digital gift card, the recipient can choose the Putumayo album/albums of their choice. To send a digital gift card, scroll to the bottom of the Bandcamp home page and click “Gift Cards” underneath “About” or visit: https://bandcamp.com/gift_cards. Choose a desired value, add your name and message. You have the option to email the digital gift card or print out a version of the gift card to use. If issues arise, visit: https://get.bandcamp.help/hc/en-us/articles/23006354764439-Gift-cards

or contact us at: info@putumayo.com.

Q: How do I subscribe to Putumayo’s Bandcamp Subscription service?

A: Visit our Bandcamp page, https://putumayo.bandcamp.com/ and click on the “Subscription” tab. From there you will see a blue button that reads, “Join Now.” Click that and you will be taken to a page where you enter your card information and an email confirmation once everything is filled out!

Q: How do I unsubscribe from Putumayo’s Bandcamp Subscription service?

A: Go to your settings and on the left-hand side, there should be a menu with a “Subscriptions” option. Click on that tab, you will see a page with the headers “Subscription” that shows Putumayo and “Payment Method” with the card you used for the payment. Click on “cancel” next to your card info and you should be all set!

If you have any issues, visit this Bandcamp FAQ page or contact us at: info@putumayo.com

Q: Where do I find the music I purchased via Bandcamp?

A: To download music onto a computer, go to your Bandcamp profile page. You will see all of your album purchases. Find the album you’re looking for and “download” will appear in light gray underneath the text “appears in …” Press “download” and pick the format of your choice.

If you can’t find your Bandcamp profile page, you can also download music onto a computer as follows. Log into your account. On your home page you will see a circle on the top right corner. Click on the circle and a drop-down menu will appear. Click on “Purchases.” You will be shown a full list of albums you have purchased. On the top right corner, click on the “download album” and select the format of your choice.

You can also access any Putumayo music you’ve purchased on the Bandcamp app through their streaming service.

If you have any issues, visit these Bandcamp pages below or contact us at: info@putumayo.com:

For computer / desktop: https://get.bandcamp.help/hc/en-us/articles/23020707010199-Where-do-I-download-my-purchase

IOS/Apple Mobile Devices:

https://get.bandcamp.help/hc/en-us/articles/23020630031511-Can-I-download-directly-to-my-iOS-device

Android Mobile Devices:

https://get.bandcamp.help/hc/en-us/articles/23020692020887-Can-I-download-my-purchases-directly-from-the-app

There are a number of factors that go into Putumayo's decisions regarding what compilations to release. We try to select themes that will have broad appeal and that cover an area of particular musical and cultural interest. We also try to balance out our annual release schedule with a diverse mix of titles that cover a wide range of musical genres. Putumayo World Music's goal is to introduce people to other cultures through melodic, upbeat music from around the world.

For Retailers

FAQs

What does the word "Putumayo" mean?"

Are any Putumayo albums available digitally?

How do I purchase Putumayo album downloads and subscriptions on Bandcamp?

Does Putumayo sell t-shirts and art prints?

What if I purchase a CD or other item I don’t love?

I’m a retailer and want to sell Putumayo music in my store. How do I do this?"

How does Putumayo decide what musical collections to release?

How does Putumayo decide what songs to include on their albums?

How do I submit a demo for consideration?