Is she cute?
Sure. Is she a musical
talent? Not so much. Really, other than her looks, she doesn't
have much at all. Nothing substantial
anyways.
This isn't sour grapes that I didn't get a free ride through
life and that I'm not a lame "entertainer" pop star. This is actually a bigger problem with
"independent artists" thinking and that they somehow believe they're
entitled to payment if someone streams their song. Seriously.
And then they wonder why all of a sudden they have to pay to use a
streaming service.
I hate to say it but I am an "Independent Artist"
(never liked the sound of it) and the only thing I'm dependent on is CD Baby to
setup and warehouse my CDs. I have to do
all other aspects (write, record, play, promote) myself and after all that time
spent, you know what I think is fair and honest? Payment for a "sale", not a
"listen".
Years ago, when record labels shot themselves in the foot
for their lack of creativity on how to work digital downloads ("Duh, let's
sell it through iTunes"), and shrunk their rosters to keep the best
garbage, it's no wonder why they're going broke and most radio-music is pretty
awful. If you're a music label and
you're relying on non-musicians to stay afloat, you're going to have some big
problems because you've ruined your reputation and you've ruined the service
for real "artists". Now the
people that could give your company any credibility has to go out and get a day
job.
So when I hear some two-dimensional, already rich
entertainer belly ache she's not going to get royalties for an album that her producer
put together ("This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate
and create."), I get pretty annoyed.
If anyone's unqualified to complain, it's her. "These are not the complaints of a spoiled,
petulant child", she says but actually, they are. Her "every artist, writer and producer
in my social circles" sound like it could be the same group in Jay-Z's
circles. Personally, I don't think her
song writers and producers deserve a dime because they're not making or
contributing anything substantial or worthwhile but at the same time looking
for a handout.
I'm not selling my stuff for cheap* because I don't think
it's good enough, I'm selling my songs at 50 cents each because I think it's a
pretty fair price. A dollar or $1.50 for
a three minute song is more than a little wrong and there's no reason people
should pay $10 - $14 for an mp3 "album" especially when there isn't
any artwork or credits.
But yes, the real problem is "artists" today think
they should get paid for a listen of their song. I still haven't heard a valid argument to
justify that. Actually, I haven't heard
any argument as to why that would be a good idea. If anyone reads this entry, please write me
back with a valid argument on the pro side of getting paid for streams.
Anyways, Taylor, you're not an artist. Since you're not really that involved with
anything but yourself, the 3 month trial is called "promotion"
(pronounced: pruh-moh-shun) to hopefully get more people on the service to
maybe buy more of your lackluster albums. It actually works in your favour if you'd
settle down and think for a second.
Also, if you're really the talent you think you are, you wouldn't have
to rely on writers and producers. Jay-Z
has this problem too. Try being an
"artist" and make something yourself.
Try it. It's actually more
rewarding. Unfortunately, it seems the
only thing you're capable of making is a baby.
And complaining.
Sorry, folks. I get tired hearing people bitch that are
actually part of the problem and not the solution. And thanks to Eddy Cue from Apple for his
Grade 5 Tweets and for again being part of the problem by caving into to a
child. He just made Taylor Swift a true
inspiration to whiners all around the world.
Here's her letter to Crapple:
To Apple, Love Taylor
I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album,
1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an
explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best
partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I
respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy
based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a
free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you
know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for
those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely
unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and
can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live
shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first
single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter
who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that
would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to
innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are
pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth
of plays on his or her songs.
These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child.
These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my
social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and
respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.
I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid
streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful
Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay
artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free
for the fans trying it out. Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is
unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and
admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them
in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who
create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late
to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who
will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones.
Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Taylor
Comments on the Letter
- Well, getting through this open letter without getting shit on my own nose was a challenge. There's so much.
- Oh no, you're holding back your album. It doesn't deserve an explanation, but if it makes your swelled head feel better than by all means.
- So exactly, how many up and coming artists are going to be putting their hits out in the next 3 months? All of them?
- Streaming isn't beautiful progress. I'm not sure how many 3-4 syllable adjectives you need to use after every noun. Who writes her blurbs, George Howard from Forbes? And if Apple is working towards streaming and not sales, I would be super pissed if I owned a record company. Apple certainly isn't capable of being a record label, especially after doing an about-face because of a single complaint from a current celebrity.
- How one can compare iPhones with music just plain doesn't make sense. She may as well said, we don't ask you for forks, please don't take our tents.
*Bright Ideas - Volume 2 is out now. Please have a listen using the player. And no, I'm not looking for a royalty.
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