If the problem is not piracy then what is the problem. To me it’s a misunderstanding of nature of our industry with independent & major labels being consider the same for some things like legislation, policies and trade practices by groups that are supposed to represent the industry when in fact these position more often are the total opposite of what us mere tax paying non-multinational corporations “MNC” desire.
When it comes to SOPA or PIPA, the supporters if you look at it from the Indie perspective are just tying to keep their nearly cold dead corporate hands around something that is so basic to human nature ~arts & music~ that if they succeed they will alter the very nature and structure of humanity. Which to me is sharing a creation amongst ourselves that has meaning because it springs from works what have already rooted themselves within the fabric of our society.
In order for us to move forward in an age of digital and technological progress, we must be able to act impartial and realize that both sides have needs – not just wants. Big corporations, Indie representatives, politicians and most importantly, you the people, all have differing opinions on what is best. Everyone must voice their concerns, but must also wait their turn and listen to the others. The time is now to add our voice…
By blacking out our own site, we are adding our voice to this very important conversation. The compensation of creators is something that we hold dear to our heart and our jobs since without content our hearts are heavy and we as a industry lose this awesome new creative outlet, that is really just in it’s late teens. While we know piracy is an issue, we disagree that SOPA or PIPA is the way to deal with it for the Independents. Finding an agreement to avoid problems and potential revolutions that emerge from denying a populations freedom start with individuals like us that choose to blackout our own site as an act of protest.
With names like this headlining a post, Adele, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver Among U.K.’s Independent Music Award Nominees | Billboard.biz.
One doesn’t have to guess at the state of independent music since everyone one of these names are mainstream and have supportive fans around the globe.
IMHO other indies need to get back to releasing physical music; Since it’s the ability of fans to get these bands releases (whether in vinyl or compact disk formats) that has given them this acclaim outside of their own countries.
Considering that 20 straight weeks of Album sales increasing over last years sales figures(1). And, that every major recording artist offers their fans a choice digital or physical it just makes sense that Indie’s would need to release both to remain viable in marketplaces where fans still gather to talk and consumer music.
BTW without physical releases there is nothing to export and it should be noted that Music used to be the largest export of the US by far (2) and without the indie’s exporting and majors haliburtionizing the US is left exporting arms and drugs.