Yeah... I don't know what to say other than Aethiopes was a weird release and I believe that it was only available on tour, at first. He was doing some quick releases like that around that time. That said, I own that and Church, both of which I bought online. He founded Backwoodz Studioz so that's his label, meaning that he does have everything pressed himself. I have locals that carry Backwoodz releases from time to time and he even did an Armand Hammer Diabetic Test Strips release through Fat Possum. Ironically, that only made it cost more, which is why I don't own that one.
I only know Reckless Records from them taking orders on products they don't have and canceling them on me repeatedly. Calling it "gate keeping" for Woods to run his own independent label and sell directly seems a bit absurd to me. Pressing vinyl is expensive and overpressing vinyl that you wind up sitting on as an indie label is even more expensive. Shops like HHV or Vinyl Digital generally get them for the European market. The Hiding Places anniversary reissue was a limited release.
I wouldn't have even commented, but the claim that every one of his releases can ONLY be purchased on tour simply isn't true. I also have no idea why shipping would cost you $15 from his site, because that's not standard either. I just pre-ordered his new album yesterday and shipping was $8 and change. A few years ago, it was about $6.50, even for multiple records.
I'm simply saying this as someone who owns no less than 8 Billy Woods albums, not including the 5 or so Armand Hammer LPs in my collection, and none of them were purcased at shows. Everything has been readily available, but if you miss it and are trying to get last year's limited reissue from the Hiding Places tour at your local now, I'm sure it can be a problem.
Honestly, I think vinyl is overpriced in general and lots of hip hop releases are egregious about these drops. I have no horse in this, other than reading something that I know not to be true from years and years of personal experience. I believe you had the experience you did and that it left a bad impression, but that's not the situation across the board. We post every drop in the hip hop thread and have since it started. I believe the first post in there was actually about Hiding Places.
If you don't want to give him money because he rubbed you the wrong way, I have similar situations where I am the exact sane way. If you're being overcharged shipping, that's fucked up. BUT... if you were simply under the wrong impression because of what he said and ever want any of the future releases, I'm happy to tag you when they happen.
