The Featured Artists Coalition campaigns for the protection of performers' and musicians' rights. We want all artists to have more control of their music and a much fairer share of the profits it generates in the digital age. We speak with one voice to help artists strike a new bargain with record companies, digital distributors and others, and are campaigning for specific changes.
Events
The Air Statement
25th September 2009Last night at a very special meeting took place at Air Studios in London. It was an unprecedented gathering of artists who all met in the spirit of collaboration and with the aim of discussing the very challenging issue of file-sharing and how it affects the lives of so many artists and all the people that support them in creating the music that we all know and love.
The statement below is the result of that meeting.
The Air Statement:
We the undersigned wish to express our support for Lily Allen in her campaign to alert music lovers to the threat that illegal downloading presents to our industry and to condemn the vitriol that has been directed at her in recent days.
Our meeting also voted overwhelmingly to support a three-strike sanction on those who persistently download illegal files, sanctions to consist of a warning letter, a stronger warning letter and a final sanction of the restriction of the infringer’s bandwidth to a level which would render file-sharing of media files impractical while leaving basic email and web access functional.
Signed:
Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane)
Jamie Turner
Adriano Buffone (Raygun)
Allan Bradbury
Helienne Lindvall
Tony Crean
Andrew Laidlaw (Luck Soul)
Isard Haasakker
Tony Morrelli (The Fire Escapes)
Jean-Baptiste Pilon (The Fire Escapes)
Mark Headley (The Fire Escapes)
Hal Ritson (The Young Punx)
Billy Bragg
Ben Ward
Karl Harrison
Howard Jones
Tjinder Singh (Cornershop)
Phil Simpson
Atheen
Steve Jones
John Reynolds
Sandie Shaw (via phone)
David Rowntree (Blur)
Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)
Alan Sharland (The Hoosiers)
Martin Skarendahl (The Hoosiers)
Steven Hogarth (Marillion)
Mark Kelly (Marillion)
Guy Chambers
Patrick Wolf
Sam Duckworth (Get Cape Wear Cape Fly)
Jamie Allen
Toby Sebastian
James Kelly
Beryl Marsden
George Jones
Ross Millard (The Futureheads)
Stax Dempsey
Rona Sentinar
Fran Healy (Travis)
Karl Addy
Nathan Taylor (The Young Punx)
Josh Allegro
Ali Howard (Lucky Soul)
David Arnold
Lucy Pullin (The Fire Escapes)
Annie Lennox (via phone)
Lily Allen (Not a Member of the FAC)
George Michael
Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
Signed After the meeting;
The Music Producers Guild
John B
Claudia Brucken (Propaganda)
Rick Wilde
Zita McHugh
M B Gordy
Mohammed Yahya
Jon Hopkins
Barry Coffing
Vinny Peculiar
David Ravden
Nik Ledgard (Dry Riser)
Matthew Lintott (Dry Riser)
Pete Bembridge (Dry Riser)
Jack Oram (Dry Riser)
Chad Mcloughlin
Gina Langton
Tony Christie
Sean Fitzgerald
Irving David (DWFM Beckman)
Julianne Reagan (All About Eve)
Stuart Ongley (SGO Publishing)
Judy Dyble
Jonas Kroon
Irwin Sparkes (The Hoosiers)
Robbie Williams
Robert Vale
Jerry Vale
David Cloyd
Rob Boyd (The Hillfields)
Sharon Corr
George Sarah
Bob Hansmann
Rich Wilde
Milinda Allen
Dr Robert (The Blow Monkeys)
Dirk Henry (The Kokoon)
Ben Beer (Sealife)
Chris White (Composer)
Producers Managers Group (PMG)
Marco Pirroni
Brian Campbell (Clinic)
Morty Buffham (Manager of UK Heights)
Andrew Kremer (Composer)
Sharon Dean (Respect Music)
Sarah McQuaid
Gary Clark (Artist, songwriter, producer)|
Marc Marot (Manager)
Keith A. Newstead
Blake Morgan (Engine company Records)
Tom Green ('Another Fine Day')
Neil Preston (MP Records)
John Verity
Bart Schram (Mindgames)
Koen Gisen (An Pierlé & White Velvet)
Darren Hayes (Savage Garden)
Scott Coe (The Haunted Aquarium)
Miranda Dickinson
Noora Noor
Ali Hakimi (Bush Studios)
Colin MacIntyre (Mull Historical Society)
Rik Hudson (Violet Bones)
David Blake (JFXmusic)
Jo Hilditch (Hilda)
Alastair Blackwood (Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Dobs Vye (Public Symphony)
James Blunt
Mark Muggeridge (Journalist and artist manager)
Russell Lewis Warby (William Morris Endeavor Entertainment)
David Gilmour
Jools Holland
Ken Andrew (Middle of the Road)
Joseph Mount (Metronomy)
Luke Soloman (Freaks)
Tom Shore (Britten Sinfonia)
Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys)
Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys)
Kirsty Hawkshaw
Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
Jayne Andrews (manager for Judas Priest)
Gill Vance (singer/songwriter)
Simon Reid & Louise Stanners (Reid & Stanners)
James Carrington
Tim McConway (Booger Red/The Lunar Society)
James Mathe (Monasteryo)John (JJ) Johnson
digg
del.icio.us
vox
facebookAdd a new comment
Back to blogs page
Comments
There are people who just don't get it, even musicians don't get it. You can digitally record anything from the net, if you have your best songs on My space or You tube, then I don't have to buy them - leaving you the musician to come up with other ways to make a living, until you burn out and don't make music anymore.
There's way too much music now, it's gotten to the point where you don't even know what or who you're listening to anymore. The majors will always get a revenue from the crap they put out, because they saturate media ( unless of course you believe, that the world was just waiting on the talent of Lady Ga Ga )
I remember back in the day before everybody and thier mother was in a band, or an artist - you could actually make a living in the music business. Well the wave of the future is upon us, Lady Ga Ga is just the beginning.
@ Red Sea
You said:
"No one could've predicted this 20 years ago."
Wrong, Frank Zappa predicted this back 1983 and he supported it. He even wanted people to have the best possible quality downloads so that they could make better cassette copies. As this blog doesn't allow links I can recommend you fire up your favourite search engine and enter this phrase into the search box:
"A Proposal For A System To Replace Ordinary Record Merchandising"
It's in his autobiography entitled The Real Frank Zappa Book. I can recommend it.
People really want to have their cake and eat it! It's a sad day and age that we're living in - we want it and we want it now - no matter what the cost!
There's been a flood of technology into the world over the last 15 years or so - and this flood has been accepted by the general public and the "powers that be" without a thought for the consequences both on society and the individual. We've become insatiable.
To quote a comment made above by Ola B
"Of course, I can see how file-sharing can be dangerous for many artists, but there's also the other side of this issue. This is really the best and the cheapest way for the musicians to get heard."
"best" and "cheapest" for who? The tight-hole consumer who wants it all and wants it now. Have people forgotten how to be patient and that you can't always get what you want. There's an excitement and desire that builds when waiting to get your hands on an album or song from a new or favourite artist. And this desire and excitement is what makes it all the more satisfying when you do finally get your copy (be it hard or digital). Also to pull another quote from Ola B: "Of course, I can see how file-sharing can be dangerous for many artists, but there's also the other side of this issue." - same might be said for neuclear energy. To acknowledge that something "can be dangerous" and in the same breath say that it's ok, because it's "best" and "cheapest". That really paints a true picture of this world we're living - convenience over consequence.
I accept that the technology is here to stay and that it's convenience is the over-riding attractive quality, but it still doesn't make it right to copy/share/steal somebody's songs/art without consent from the artist in question. Would "Dark Side Of The Moon", "A Night At The Opera", "Pet Sounds", "Revolver" or "Spilt Milk" have turned out as good if all band members in question had to get a day job to subsidise their desire to create and record music? The money has to come from somewhere. Call me simple or technologically retarded but what's wrong with listening to something on Myspace or Spotify and then if you like it, go and pay for it, on whatever format tickles your fancy. And if you can't afford to pay for a download, go back and listen to it on Myspace or Spotify again and again and again... Art, food, drink, clothes, cigarettes, DVDs, music, technology - you can't just take because you want/need it - that just isn't right!
So, Paul Collins, do you really think that everything in this world is black or white? Cause I really can't see your point when you are saying I'm completely wrong with my thoughts on file-sharing. I always try to find and understand both sides of every problem and I think you should try it too - checking different points of view, even if they differ from your opinion.
People of your kind always amaze me when it's about discussion. You've chosen from my comment only things you don't agree with. Don't you really believe in my words about finding different solutions? Don't you support my request to music fans not to act childish with the whole situation? The way you talk to me looks rather like an attack on me, like finding a way to argue, like forcing me to accept your opinion instead of finding consensus, which is getting us nowhere.
As for your comment: yes, I really liked what you said about "an excitement and desire that builds when waiting to get your hands on an album or song from a new or favourite artist. And this desire and excitement is what makes it all the more satisfying when you do finally get your copy". I got through it many times and it will happen many more times in the future, as like I said - I do pay for the music and I don't think it's not worth paying.
"Best" and "cheapest" are not the only pluses of file-sharing I wanted to note. I'll write it again, cause you seem to have missed my point: every album I bought and every gig I've been to are effects of file-sharing. So, I downloaded some, and I bought it, what could happen instead? I wouldn't use file-sharing to find new music -> I'd just listen to what TV and radio present me -> I'd buy the album of Lady GaGa, or Britney, or whatever, or nothing at all. Yes, there are new cool things like Myspace or Spotify, but please note that Myspace can work just like a radio - presenting you one decent track to make you buying a CD full of fillers. As for Spotify - I can't really tell what's it all about, I'd stand for this new initiative if it's a good alternative for file-sharing, just... make it available in my country...
And here I come to my point: Paul Collins, you're right about this convenience over consequence thing. You. Are. Right. But I strongly believe there are always more than one right. I don't believe that punishing anyone could do anything good with this certain issue. For me it's obvious that the problem are not the people who file-share but those who doesn't value music. Of course, there are many file-sharers which belong to this second group, but not everyone, not even a half in my opinion, most of them are devoted music enthusiasts which would spend the last penny to support artists. We have to make people to value music, not to stop them file-sharing, can you see the difference? File-sharing won't ever end, it's already happening, but when more people start to value music, file-sharing won't be a problem anymore.
But there're not only fans who should change, it has to work both sides. If music is to be paid for like any other thing, like food, and drink, and clothes, and technology, then music industry should be competitive like all of those branches. You criticized my "i want it now" attitude. Do you know why so many of us are so like "we want it now" when it's about music? Because right now we know that nothing's gonna change, it's not like the new Iphone, which you know you'll get in a few months when it gets cheaper, you know it will... We pay for food, but we try to choose those stores who are the cheapest, right? And those stores are not losing any money because they sell cheap food, the sellers know that selling much for a low price gives them more profit than selling few at big prices... Music industry doesn't seem to develop, doesn't seem to find new ways of making money, and that is the biggest problem, I think.
Paul Collins, I understand your opinion and agree with it to some extent. Thank you for commenting my words, for expanding my point of view. I just politely ask you for respect for me and other people who beg to differ with your opinion. Only respect and attempting to understand different points of view can get us somewhere... cause we all really want the same: we want artists to be financially honoured for their work and fans to have access to this work, we just think of different ways of making it come true.
And one more thing. Do you know why so many people love what Radiohead do right now? Cause most of us are really into paying the artists, yes, the artists, not record companies which take most of the money that musicians should get. So, the record companies take the money and spend it on what? Supporting art? Well, we can say so if art means the same as talentless people who are the majority of what we can see on the TV or hear on the radio... Consumers are not stupid and they are aware of what they pay for.
And something to think about for those who think file-sharing is stealing... What do you think about selling used CDs on ebay? There are hundreds, thousands of them. Well, if file-sharing is a theft, than reselling CDs is much worse - the seller is getting money for the CD, while file-sharing makes no file-sharer getting paid. Nice idea - buying CD -> ripping the tracks to mp3 -> selling the CD (to someone who's actually willing to pay and could pay the artist instead!)
So maybe file-sharing is not as big problem as reselling CDs, as in both cases an artist doesn't get any money but CD reselling makes profit to the seller? And also file-sharers are more likely to buy the CD than those who already have it without supporting the artists, don't they?
Can you see the irony?
Money money money.. these corporate egos and logos are just greedy .. how much are they collectivly worth.? File sharing is spreading music, if it's good enough people will buy it and/or go to the concerts to buy the 30 quid t-shirt made in china for 50p. I can't believe between them all none of them have the cop on or skills to come up with a way to to use file sharing or digital media? How long has home taping / blank CDs been around? 20/30 years? Only now as music has become so stagnant and not selling as a result, has this become a big issue. What about the New artist? yeah right.. whats new about the same product type rebadged as new? . music needs a kick in the arse something to piss on this old style of selling the product. Cripes the beatles, have managed to put a game out to milk the digital angle.
ola B - re-elected by me - - - - - i am not trying to make a competition - i truly think she has huge big things we should think about [ not only about this issue ]
now . . . ola B . please, don t comment back and back again if someone is against you - if you really think you are right just leave it there . . . I am telling you this because i really feel you are right, and you shouldn t care if someone else think different - you can be sure of course the people from FAC already read your point - and trust me . . . they have to know you are right - they are smart people - very smart people that are really confuse this time, i am sure about that - but they are smart just because if not they wouldn t be able to make for example the music they make - and you are sure as well about this -- as u said we all have rights and wrongs, then, don t waste your time with people like collins [ he also has great points ] - they [ FAC ] read your notes and i know they think you are right - give them at least time to re-consider their position -
if you keep answering people like collins [ who also said very important and right things on his comment as well ] the people from FAC might really missed the best things you did say - and that was written on your first post
i am just working as a mediator [ who do i think i am to be a mediator right ? specially with my english , but i think it is necesary ]. if people start [ kind of ] fighting each other, FAC will laugh at us instead of re-considering
ps : i hope all this and the enfasis on this issue would be being done about more important things in this world - but sadly if about file - sharing-
ps: i wrote my opinions before [ i think actually 2nd or 3rd comment ] if you are interested
pantrus
wow - my comment appeirs under the name of ANON - very weird - i don t understand what happened
not ANON . . .
i am pantrus [ the guy with bad english ] he
Working in the industry I have seen everything tried. Subscription, variable price, all of it. None of it works. People now expect media to be free, and it cant be, because it costs money to make. Simple. Go intern at a small label and see what goes on. Unfortunately, in this world, we need laws. Theres more security on this web comment form than on download apps. Throttle 'em.
Apparently, most people are not taking into consideration that today we enjoy such MARVELOUS BANDS as THE BEATLES, LED ZEPPELIN, DEPECHE MODE, THE SMITHS and RADIOHEAD thanks to the fact that the music industry has always been as a food chain; a cycle:
1) THE RECORD LABEL funds a project (recording/marketing of an album etc.)
2) THE BAND records the album
3) CONSUMERS purchase the album
4) Thanks to sales, INCOME is generated for the bands and record labels; money with which they can make a living and also start another project, which takes the cycle back to its beginning. (Many consider labels greedy for not paying the artists what they deserve, and many consider album prices too high, but those are other subjects to tackle!)
Well, the cycle has been corrupted. Profit is not being seen and artists are finding the urge to get a day-job, which is drifting them from making music. Professional recording studios are being closed, sold and turned into apartment complexes. Producers, audio engineers, and A&R representatives are looking for other jobs because there is no business. More recordings are being done cheaply, at home, which is great because artists are still putting their music out there, but if the mentioned cycle hadn't been broken, they would be recording with professional audio engineers, using state-of-the-art amazing audio equipment, in studios with treated rooms that have beautiful acoustics. Additionally, their music would be getting proper marketing and distribution, and with the income of sales they would be going on tour to treat us with their magic.
---
Some people say "Well, what can you do? technology advances- you can't blame us for downloading music for free. You guys should adapt to modern times and find a new method to do your business." Come on- you can't play innocent and blame others when you ARE AWARE that what you're downloading is a product in which thousands of pounds/dollars were invested. Don't you have any morals? Don't you realize that you are killing artists as you continue downloading their music for free? What's next, going into a record store, walking out with two CDs and saying that you didn't do wrong because you were not being watched, just as nobody watches you when you download albums?
It is not easy to come up with a solution, and you will understand why when you read these basic facts about recording (I know that many of you know this already):
There are two formats in which audio (music) can be recorded- Analog and Digital:
Nowadays, nearly 100% of artists record their music in Digital. Digital audio is what is stored in CDs and hard drives; it is a numerical code that cannot be touched or seen; it is the audio form that you download from the internet and put in your iPod. Analog audio is physically printed onto a surface (vinyl/cassette); it cannot be "copied" to your computer with a few mouse-clicks, unlike digital audio.
As long as artists record music in digital audio (WAV files that can be converted to MP3 to be easily shared) AND as long as the internet exists, it will be ULTRA-EASY to "steal" music.
So should artists stop recording in digital and go back to analog? For one thing, recording in analog is much more expensive than recording in digital in this day and age, but most importantly, it would be a waste of money to do so because the vinyl or cassette would eventually be converted to digital (this can be done) by someone who will want to listen to the album on his iPod, eventually sharing it online. Also, it would be a mess to go backwards, considering that today the entertainment/media industry is 100% digital and nearly every consumers lacks a cassette or vinyl player.
So then what? Should the existence of the internet be terminated to prevent file-sharing? ... Obvious answer on that one.
---
The idea of reducing the bandwidth of internet users who download music illegally sounds interesting, although I wonder how internet service providers will monitor this accurately.
Do they have a way of viewing the type or name of files that one downloads? If that is the case, how would they determine whether the user is downloading free MP3s, copyrighted MP3s, or MP3s at all, since the song could be disguised under another name?
Also, how would they identify what is in a RAR file or ZIP file? Are they capable of reviewing what sites or peer folders led you to that file?
I am assuming that the ISP's will not care to determine what the user is downloading and they will simply proceed to reduce the bandwidth if they see large amounts of data-transfer, which would not be a righteous procedure. I have not found details regarding this. Does anyone have a link?
---
It takes time and money to build a house; when completed, should it be given away for free? Of course not. Same with music.
People have always paid to watch a movie at the theater; they still do. People have always paid for cable TV; they still do. People have always paid for a candy bar; they still do. People have always paid for a caribbean vacation; they still do. Of course all these business have their ups and downs economically, but the fact that the products/services offered are not free hasn't caused chaos and destruction in the world, has it? Bringing the music business back to normal won't either.