REFLECTIONS – LAST ONE PAYS!

LAST ONE TO PAY! 
He who pays, grants, and he who doesn't pay?

It's true, music evokes emotions, and no one can be moved without a minimum of sensitivity. However, it seems we're becoming insensitive to the value of musical creation itself, when many boast about having all the music they want without paying a penny for it. We pay for everything, and yet we don't want to pay for music?

(Article published in the July 2010 issue – no. 150)

Of course, I've realized it now, even though it's obvious… - and I try to be on top of everything. At the beginning of May, I wrote the article for June, and now at the beginning of June, I'm already writing the one for July. And I wanted to open up a deep "debate" about the SGAE (Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers) in the middle of summer? As I often say, nothing and nobody is perfect, and certainly not me, so I think I made a mistake in approaching the issue that way. Summer isn't the time for "these things" (generally speaking, of course…). Instead, it's the perfect time to enjoy clubbing and see your favorite artists perform, whether in Ibiza, in the many clubs that open their doors during the season, or at the various festivals scheduled around the world during the summer. While we wait for autumn, I'd like to ask you to continue the thread I started in the previous issue, where I discussed the arrests of DJs for playing music recorded on CDs, even if it was legally purchased or received specifically from a producer or record label as a promotional item. Following the anecdote about the "lack of recognition" between a CD recorded with legally purchased music and one bought in a record store, I was pleased that "real" measures were finally being taken, that the authorities were no longer just searching for drugs in raids, but were also concerned with finding out if the DJ, the one who earns a living playing, buys the music they use, or, on the contrary, downloads it illegally. Unfortunately, it seems that everything remains the same, and since I want to talk at length about the SGAE (Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers), I wanted to know what you think about the now perennial question of…: Free music, yes or no? As of today, I have received three comments, each one better than the last, and that is why, since I don't have space for all of them, I will continue analyzing and publishing these great contributions—and any others that may come—on this same topic in a new and unique EDITORIAL, which this time is YOURS, but with some comments between the lines from me… Thank you all!

MY / YOUR (SUTIL) EDITORIAL

The truth is, I'm running out of ideas for Sutil's editorial. It started as mine, continued as yours, and now, if you're up for it, I'll do a mix and we'll get down to business...

I'll start with the second of the three comments, since, honestly, I expected someone to bring it up, but I couldn't have imagined it would be in such a clear and sensible way.

Oscar Martin:
‘'I am a consumer of electronic music, whether via Beatport or other legal channels, and I have even argued with people about them buying my tracks, which I find completely absurd and highlights that culturally
This society has a problem. It's not just that the phrase 'intellectual property' or 'copyright' means very little to certain people; it's also that it gives them a pleasant feeling, and that's worrying. The question is, how do you educate a society on this? It's something where the State should be actively involved; that's what a Ministry of Culture is for, or at least it exists. Ultimately, and given what we've seen, condemnations are of little use, and I don't think making them harsher will help improve the situation. The root of the problem is much deeper, as I mentioned before. And those 'professionals' who download illegally have no respect for themselves or their fellow professionals. It's a shame, and let's face it, it makes your blood boil. As for the SGAE (Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers), there's much to discuss about it; suffice it to say that in some areas of its operations, it oversteps the bounds of what we can consider logical.

In any case, I personally oppose illegal downloads and I will continue to buy music because I love music, especially electronic dance music.’

First of all, Oscar, thank you so much for your comment and opinions. It makes me VERY happy that there are sensible people in a world that is sometimes so insensitive, especially towards others… This is the real problem, and that's why this topic is so delicate, since, at its core, it's a matter of RESPECT. And RESPECT is understood or perceived in very different ways, depending on who is showing it or not. Let me give you a personal example. I know several close relatives who download music illegally and recklessly, and I don't get angry or judge them for it, but I do try to explain my negative opinion about their actions, trying to make them understand what they would think if they were working for a record label or distributor and were fired because nobody wants to spend a penny on work that isn't valued, even if it's just to enjoy it however and wherever they can. So, this is what needs to be considered: behind every €1.50 (on average, and that's being generous…) paid for a download, there are MANY people earning a living, besides the Artist, the Performer, the Author, the Record Label, or the Publishers. Everyone needs to be able to make a living from this, from the Composer, the Lyricist, or the Sound Engineer, to the designer who creates the artwork for an album, concert, or piece of merchandise. And I'm not going to focus on the stereotypical image of the wealthy, usurious businessman whose face is obscured by the smoke of his designer cigar. Instead, I prefer to think of the small group of music lovers who decide to set up what we know as a 'record label,' which isn't a 100-story building full of people working, but a small office set up in the home of one of its members, who struggle mightily to carve out a niche in the market, releasing decent material. That record label needs to invest its limited resources in good promotion, which will allow it to have a significant presence in the media and on platforms in general. Of the thousands of decent labels that exist, I can assure you that most have to put money from their live performances (gigs) into the mix to stay afloat. Those who hesitate because they download music for free don't think about them, my friend Oscar. I assure you. But anyway, I'm just saying what I think I should say, so that young people who want to dedicate themselves to music—or related fields—can actually do so, and so that my colleagues who currently work in the industry—who don't perform live, and therefore can't make a living from it, but are sound professionals—can continue working.

I don't think I need to add anything to what you've said, thanks again Oscar!

I thank Hashattack, David DP and Víctor de Lomana for their comments, which I will try to analyze in future issues.
I hope that, like them, we can continue to create an interesting debate. Are you up for it?
Leave your comment in the 'REFLECTIONS' section at davidgausa.com
Cheer up!!

These
Articles are published monthly in the Spanish magazine Deejay.
I invite you to get it at the newsstand of your choice or its edition
digital if you click here

Here is the website: www.dancepress.es

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