A note about John's composer Substack
You are receiving this new Substack publication because you are subscribed to my Mailchimp email list.
Why is John sending me this?
Short answer: clarification. This post is intended for current subscribers to composer/performer John Oliver’s email list. If you are discovering my music for the first time, feel free to subscribe. For now, all subscriptions are free. If you need a refresher on my music, check out this short YouTube video.
If you are discovering this post on social media, please subscribe to keep up to date, because I’m phasing out my activities on Meta and Google platforms (as much as possible).
Dear subscribers,
You are subscribed to my mailing list. I’ve added a new publication platform using Substack, which is just another tool to send you updates on my activities.
Who is it for?
This new publication is for existing and new subscribers and fans who follow my musical life and activities. Broadcasters who want their one sheet and download link can unsubscribe from this publication if you like, because you will still get those emails from the Mailchimp list.
Action for you to take
None. But read on to find out the changes to the email messages your receive from me. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the end of any message.
The Changes - what to expect
I’ve simply added a new publishing platform – Substack – to send you my news. This means that you are currently subscribed to both the Mailchimp and Substack platforms. You can manage your subscriptions at any time by clicking the “Manage Subscription” button at the end of any message.
By mid-February, fans will get messages exclusively from Substack; I will unsubscribe you from Mailchimp. The volume may increase slightly. The content from Substack will range from a short read to keep you up to date, to the occasional deep-dive – more interesting than the “just the news” or press release style of the old email list.
Media contacts (broadcasters etc) will continue to receive their press releases and download codes from Mailchimp. Feel free to unsubscribe from this Substack publication via the link at the bottom, or stay subscribed if you like the newsletter format.
Mailchimp vs. Substack - the Story
I’ve been using my Mailchimp email list for a long time to send news about my musical activities to your inbox. But the email list only grows when people stumble across a link on my web site to sign up. Substack, on the other hand, is like a huge newsstand where anyone on the platform can peruse the writings of any of the authors present on the platform. Anyone can read my stories, and then subscribe if I have peaked their interest. That doesn’t happen with an email signup form on a web site!
So because this new Substack publication serves a similar function to an email list, that is, letting you know what I’m up to, I have added this more conversational approach to sharing news of my activities, and hope that more Substack readers sign up. It’s a much better way to “get my music out there.”
What about Facebook, Instagram, etc.?
For various reasons, I am hoping to move away from these social media platforms to share my news, partly because of the Meta Canadian news ban. I prefer the ad-free environment here on Substack, where authors and readers read and talk to each other.
About subscriptions
Everyone is currently a free subscriber. I am not offering paid subscriptions at this time, but you can offer a pledge of support, which would come into effect if I enable paid subscriptions. I will of course send a message to everyone before I do so, giving you a chance to reconsider. The button below opens a page to upgrade from free to a pledge.
Share the love.
I hope you’ll stay with me on this new venture — your support motivates me to keep writing words and music.
If you enjoy “John's composer Substack,” it would mean the world to me if you invited friends to subscribe. If you refer friends, you will receive free high-quality music downloads of your choice from my Bandcamp music site (or other benefits that may change as the publication evolves).
How to share
1. Share John's composer Substack. When you use the referral link below, or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.
2. Earn benefits. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe, you’ll receive special benefits.
Get 1 album for 3 referrals
Get 2 albums for 5 referrals
Get several music downloads for 25 referrals
To learn more, check out Substack’s FAQ.
Thank you for helping get the word out about my composer Substack!
May the year 2026 bring peace and prosperity to all.
John
