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British uber-producer Ewan Pearson published a track by track guide to his latest mix compilation (Fabric 35) on his website this week and concluded his report with a pointed attack at people who download for free.
“This information is for those of you who’ve decided that people who have chosen to make music for a living – rather than making cakes or shoes or selling weapons or teaching joga – are still entitled to some kind of financial reward for what they do. And so haven’t already downloaded it from some Russian bloodsucker or collector nerd with a blog masquerading as a ‘fan who’s just helping to promote the music they love, man’,” the Brit in Berlin producer/ DJ declared.
“Your reward is a lovely tin box with my name on it (ie Ewan’s Fabric CD) and the ability to sleep at night. I, and much more importantly all the producers and labels included who struggle to survive in what are frankly difficult times, salute you!” Ewan saluted.
Fellow Berlin expat music producer Oliver ‘The Horrorist’ Chesler was more ambiguous about the issue this week, telling Skrufff he recently landed a Russian tour off the back of people downloading his new album there before it was even released.
“A Ukrainian promoter called Sergej emailed me and told me every Russian music forum is chatting about my new album, he mentioned some popular Russian download site has my album featured,” said Oliver.
“I’m enthusiastic so many people like my music but it’s a little f**ked to think about. In reality no one there buys any music at all so I don’t think it’s taking too much out of my pocket. In fact, four to five live shows pays more than royalties these days. As long as I make it through these Russian gigs alive it will be worth it,” he laughed.
He also recognised the role of ‘collector nerd’ bloggers though added ‘MP3 blog sites would be great if they showed me what’s hot with a 30 second clip and a little text but when they put the entire song on it just feels dirty.’
“Free downloading is definitely making me more famous, I have people emailing me everyday from places where I know they don’t sell my records or CDs. So overall it’s a trade-off between less music sales and more live shows. Though people are coming around to the idea of paying for music online and that copyrights mean something.”
“People should honour copyrights; buy the music you listen to; buy the software you use,” he urged.
“Just because something is easy to steal doesn’t mean you should. I understand money is tight for most of the world but digital distribution has brought the price of music way down,” said Oliver.
ijed says...
It's a bit of a double edged sword. I love Ewan's remixes and production but I find the whole mix cd idea very sus as you're trying to make money from other people's work. I'd rather see a dj play the tracks live or buy the tracks unmixed so I could listen to them in the order I want...
Kota says...
You would think that the artist's that he plays would get most of the royalties though.
austrance says...
there was an article on itm recently about a similar thing basically it stated that production work is used now as more of a leverage to make money rather than selling the music itself by getting booked for dj gigs. I know not all producers are dj's but that's the world now and people should adapt because the liberty's of the internet are not going away any time soon.
Pigman says...
Is he related to Ewan McGregor?