Musician Tom Vek sells final Sleevenote units as he pivots from retro hardware to digital advocacy
Priced at $349, the compact Sleevenote represents the culmination of a prototype phase that faced supply chain hurdles, marking a shift in Vek’s strategy to support musicians through digital sales models.
Australian musician Tom Vek is currently selling the final "Day One Editions" of the Sleevenote, a digital music player designed to bridge the gap between physical media aesthetics and digital convenience. Priced at $349, the device allows users to view digital cover art and liner notes alongside audio files, drawing direct inspiration from vinyl packaging. Vek, who began developing the concept in 2020 alongside co-founder Chris, describes the hardware as a "Kindle for music," arguing that the ability to access an entire library digitally supports the digitisation of music collections more effectively than single-reading formats.
The new version of the Sleevenote addresses significant challenges encountered during the initial prototype phase. The original model, which was roughly the size of a 7-inch single but notably thicker and heavier, faced supply chain difficulties, particularly in securing square screens. The current iteration is smaller, cheaper, and more compact, representing a refined approach to industrial design that Vek honed using a MacBook for UI design, graphics, and video production.
Vek is using the release to draw a sharp distinction between his product and the current resurgence of retro physical media. While he acknowledges the appeal of offline music experiences, he explicitly criticises the trend of new retro-style CD and cassette players. He argues that purchasing digital music is far more beneficial for artists than buying second-hand physical copies, stating that digital downloads provide greater financial support and allow fans to engage with curated art in a meaningful way.
The musician’s career, which includes a 2005 debut album *We Have Sound* that received a 7.6 rating from Pitchfork and a 2011 follow-up *Leisure Seizure* that reached No. 79 on the UK charts, has featured placements in *The OC* and the *Grand Theft Auto IV* soundtrack. His most recent album, *Newer Symbols*, was released in 2022. Vek’s transition into entrepreneurship with Sleevenote reflects a desire to move beyond the "retro cycle" and encourage the development of thoughtfully created indie tech products that could not have existed in previous eras.
With the sale of the final Day One Editions, Vek is turning his attention to the next chapter of the project. He maintains that digital purchases remain the most viable model for supporting musicians in the modern landscape. By combining the tactile appeal of physical media with the accessibility of digital files, the Sleevenote aims to offer an offline, time-stamped access to art that Vek believes is beneficial for both the mind and the soul.
