PRICELESS COMMENTS – Part Two –
We closed the deal with four convinced buyers
All is not lost. Some say they don't mind paying for a quality product. In conclusion: Either quality isn't readily available, or most people simply don't want to pay for it.
I'll start by announcing how this article will end: I promise to settle the piracy issue with this final 'mix' between yours/my Subtle Editorial. Just as I did with the Deejaymags, I think dedicating three issues to this topic has been good for letting our REFLECTIONS hang in the air. These reflections began last June, recalling the arrests of those DJs who were reported in a raid for using burned CDs. I love it when people are honest and admit to downloading music illegally. More and more people, when they see me—whether on the street, at one of my gigs, or at Deejaymags-type gatherings—tell me: 'David! I love your section in Deejay Magazine, you really speak the truth!' To that, I continue, and will continue, to reply: 'Well, go ahead and leave a comment!' because, thanks to those who do, I can write this section. And that's when some admit to me that they would do it, but that their 'position' doesn't allow it, as if I were free from the consequences of writing them... Anyway, let's get to it.
(Article published in the September 2010 issue – no. 152)
I'm going to start with one of the comments received during the month of June, which were left out due to space limitations:
David DP:
‘'(...) I'm also a DJ/Producer, but I'm in the phase of trying to do something different to carve out a niche for myself, (...) I experience all this piracy stuff differently. I don't agree with piracy at all, but what needs to be made clear is that what's illegal is profiting from a track (by playing it, for example) without having paid for it. That's what's a crime. Although, based on this reasoning, the promos that people like me send to top DJs in case they want to play them would also be a crime, because they haven't paid anything for that track, although, well, in this case, let's say "it's okay to cheat...". (...)
I should clarify that if someone plays music provided as a promotional tool, it's perfectly legitimate to claim this, and in that case, the venue, club, or event must pay these royalties to the corresponding entities, just as they pay for drinks to their supplier or paper to the printer for posters or flyers. It's that simple. The performer doesn't pay when they play, but when they buy the music, because if they buy a track from a legal store, that already includes a % fee for the PROs (Union of collecting societies – like SGAE in Spain – worldwide).
‘
(…) I download music from the internet, both purchased and free (from P2P and netlabels). And if we step back a bit and look at everything from an outside perspective, I personally see that we need to find another way, do things differently, so that people in Spain start to value music. However, what you said about there being more professionals with pirated music than amateurs… it's like our parents telling us to eat all our food, and then they're the ones who don't.’Yes, David, this happens, but when I say DJs, I mean ALL DJs who get paid to play, from the resident DJ at the smallest music bar to (perhaps) some 'Top DJs'. Those DJs, those who get paid to play even for very little money—say, €10 to €50 a night—or those who already earn between €50 and €150 a night—and even more, because there are some cases—are all included. The music industry lives in a paradox similar to those surveys about what people watch on TV. Everyone claims to watch documentaries on La 2, and in the end, it turns out that most people are watching 'Sálvame' and the 'fantastic' Belén Esteban. Well, in our case, it's the same.
Nobody admits to downloading free music, and yet, the figures show that Spain is the leading country in Europe, and one of the most prominent in the world, in music piracy. Clearly, something is going on here. At least you (like others) admit to downloading music illegally, although, as Victor de Lomana already mentioned in the previous issue, you probably only buy what truly resonates with you, and what you download for free is something you probably would never have taken home back in the days when you either bought vinyl or didn't buy anything at all.
Jose Bisbal Aguilar:
‘'I'm anti-piracy for everything: music, videos, etc. If you really like something, you want quality. In my case, I've sacrificed a lot to have what I have—treasures for many—and I'll always have that, 100% quality, with its covers, photos, etc. I use it to work at any party, and the sound is amazing, unlike some of my fellow DJs who download other DJs' music from the internet. Their sets sound terrible, and not because I'm a sound guru, but because regular people tell me: "Damn, man, your music sounds great," "Well, go to the store, pay, and you'll have it." That's how I see it. People pay crazy amounts for alcohol or tobacco, and you shouldn't pay more for something that will always give you a great memory when you listen to it at home. My bottom line is that whoever pirates music or videos doesn't really like it.'“
Thanks, Jose, for your comment. It's clear once again that those who love what they do are willing to pay for what it allows them to do. People like you keep the industry going, and the industry owes you a debt of gratitude. As a small part of that industry, I thank you and everyone who pays for what you value.
Alvaro RM:
‘'(...) First of all, I want to say that I'm a music consumer, both paying and free. (...) As you electronic music fans know, a few years ago acquiring certain tracks was practically impossible. What's more, many shops took advantage of this situation by selling vinyl records at exorbitant prices. There were others who also benefited, like the shop owner's friends, the DJ who had a set amount of money from the club where he worked to buy records, the shop owner himself who also DJed... Nowadays, music being accessible to everyone has normalized prices, and everyone can buy any title. Many labels and record companies used to overcharge for their work. Currently, we pay a fee when buying blank CDs, and entertainment venues have to pay royalties. Then there's the infamous SGAE, a company that doesn't manage the problem properly, trying to acquire funds at any time and under any circumstances (many of them illegal).' In short, pay for music YES, at a reasonable price, and NO while SGAE is still involved.’
You're absolutely right, Alvaro! Exorbitant prices have always existed (in every sector) and always will. Many record stores took us for a ride with the line, "There are only 5 copies of this, and my friend/buddy, or whoever spends a lot of money in my store, is going to buy them all." So, in this respect, things have definitely improved with downloads. I hope you'll continue to pay attention to what we're going to discuss here about SGAE, but please, let's be clear that, for the producer, recording royalties (those generated by the sale of music by any producer, musician, band, etc.) are one thing, and what SGAE intends to charge users/companies with its fees is something VERY different. They're often confused, but they shouldn't be.
Carlos Julian Martin:
‘'(...) I'm a music lover, electronic music in this case, and I pay for what I listen to. And I pay it gladly, because I know that in this way I'm doing my bit to ensure that the fantastic world of music doesn't disappear. In your June article, you state that there are many professional DJs who download music illegally, while many amateurs (like myself) buy it. And I ask myself, how is it possible that these people consider themselves DJs and music lovers? How is it possible that they get paid to play "stolen" music? I think that people like that don't deserve the slightest respect or recognition from others. (...). The real work is done by that enormous number of artists, producers, etc., who put their minds to creating a track and serving it up on a platter to the rest of us, those who pay for it and those who don't.' I will continue to spend a large part of my salary on buying music, and every time I look at the computer screen while it downloads after I've swiped my credit card, I feel immense pleasure and think: "time to enjoy myself and give pleasure to my ears.".
What a great quote, Carlos Julián! I never would have thought any of you would write something like that. Yes sir, paying willingly is a great pleasure! A pleasure that those who don't pay will never experience.
These are the last words dedicated to piracy in this section, as there are other topics to discuss, although I would love to continue receiving your comments on this or any of your/my other REFLECTIONS at www.davidgausa.com
Thank you all!!