THE DEATH OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY aka Where Did October Go?

You may have noticed that the posts for the Month Ahead for gigs in Manchester for BOTH October and November AND the review of Forever Heavenly with Edwyn Collins at the Deaf Institute are no longer on this blog.

They were removed, without any prior notice, by Blogger after they received a DMCA notice

The DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement. We are in the process of removing from our servers the links that allegedly infringe upon the copyrights of others. If we did not do so, we would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits. See http://www.educause.edu/Browse/645?PARENT_ID=254 for more information about the DMCA, and see http://www.google.com/dmca.html for the process that Blogger requires in order to make a DMCA complaint.

OK so if I was infringing someone's copyright what's my complaint?

Well, several really:
1. MY copyright has been infringed. It may not have been very good writing/reviewing but all the text and photographs taken by me (to which I own the copyright) have been deleted. Without notice.
2. I'm a fan. The purpose of writing here is to share my love of music. I have lost count of the number of times I have been turned on to new music, emerging bands and established artists by bloggers. What is particularlry galling is that some record labels will be PAYING people to do this work. And here is me doing this in my own time and at my own cost.
3. Ethical Posting. What I post is time-limited, low quality mp3s, always with a DIRECT link to buy the CD (I'm still old skool in this respect) from an internet seller like Amazon or the artist's record label direct. It takes time to put these links in; it would be so easy not to bother. And this site carries a disclaimer but more importantly ENCOURAGEMENT to buy the song/album/gig ticket.

So what's my recourse?

Well none. Blogger gives a blanket statement about their helplessness (although they don't seem to be that helpless about allowing bigotry, hate, fundamentalism and pornography on blogs). There is a suggested counter-claim route but (and this is the sinister part) that will have to wait several weeks before it can be initiated because YOU ARE NOT TOLD who is issuing these DCMA notices. They will eventually be published on Chilling Effects but to date I am still in the dark as to who complained, who issued these notices.

So to repeat some comments on this site: if anyone believes their copyright is being infringed PLEASE CONTACT ME and I will rememdy the situation.

I'm not a crusader but frankly I'm pissed off. When I find out which (I'm assuming) major record label has done this it's a safe bet to say I will not be buying any music from them ever again nor will I ever write about their artists. Now it might be a bit extreme to suggest this is THE DEATH OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY but when the majors start to alienate fans in a climate where their revenues are falling already and they don't know how to respond (see here) ... well let's see what happens next.

In the meantime, I received this email from Jack at Alcopop Records:

Hiya
Hope all's well. Noticed your post reffing Stars and Sons, so I thought I'd drop you a quick email to let you know that this Monday 17th November we're releasing the limited edition (to 500) 7" 'In the Ocean' from the awesome Stars & Sons - and wondered if you might be interested in posting a bit about them, or this MP3 piano version (please feel free to make downloadable if you like) of the A-side that will remain otherwise unreleased?

Below is the press release for the 7", and the MP3 and video link. Thanks lots – and take care!

Jack PoP

Myspace - www.myspace.com/starsandsonsuk
Alcopop website - www.ilovealcopop.co.uk
In the Ocean Piano version MP3 - http://www.bsmrocks.com/alcopop/starsandsons-intheocean-piano.mp3

Thank you Jack. This goes a long way to restore my faith in parts of the music industry. You may not realise it or you may not feel this, but to me and many other people you and similarly-minded labels are THE FUTURE OF THE RECORD INDUSTRY. More strength to your arm and long way you continue. I know what I will be buying this Monday coming...

More thoughts from David Byrne on the future of the music industry here. And some more links to other enlightened labels and artists making free MP3s available:

Domino Records: a remix of James Yorkston's Tortoise Regrets Hare here.

Anti Records: a ten artist sampler including songs from Nick Cave, Jolie Holland, Mavis Staples, Tim Fite, Man Man and Islands here.

Darren Hayman: three advance songs from his new album Pram Town here

Secretly Canadian: a six track EP of live songs from Danielson from 1999-2006 here