MBW Views is a sequence of op/eds from eminent music trade folks… with one thing to say.
The next commentary comes from Kenny Gates, the CEO and co-founder of [PIAS], a powerhouse of impartial music that was established 43 years in the past. [PIAS] was absolutely acquired by Common Music Group final yr.
IMPALA represents the pursuits of a bunch of impartial music corporations in Europe. It’s at present lobbying in opposition to Common Music Group’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings within the EU.
Gates and his fellow [PIAS] co-founder, Michel Lambot, have been two of the unique founders of IMPALA 25 years in the past.
I just lately learn an opinion piece penned by Helen Smith, the Government Chair of IMPALA, relating to the proposed sale of Downtown to UMG.
I used to be astounded by the deceptive propaganda inside Helen’s feedback, and felt compelled to reply.
So, I spoke to my spouse, and she or he suggested: “Do nothing.” Then I spoke to my new colleagues at UMG, they usually stated: “We’re not getting concerned in that.”
Then I spoke to my PR guru and he stated, “Frankly mate, this isn’t your battle to combat.”
After that, I referred to as my long-time enterprise companion, and one among my oldest pals, Michel Lambot, who, like me, was a co-founder of IMPALA.
Michel stated, correctly: “It’s all going to blow again on you Kenny. You already know that, proper? They’re going to query your integrity and say you’re a Common stooge. Why hassle?”
However I’ve at all times spoken my thoughts, and the entire ethos of [PIAS] has at all times been to face up for what we imagine in.
I really respect the recommendation my family and friends have supplied me. However I’ve determined to deal with a few of Helen’s claims, as a result of I really feel I need to.
Additionally, as I’ve stated earlier than… fuck the haters.
I’ll begin with one thing that, as a long-standing advocate for the impartial music neighborhood, significantly infuriates me.
Helen factors to UMG’s bust-up with TikTok final yr to assist her claims of Common’s supposed market management.
On this, let me be very clear: no less than UMG had the heart to confront TikTok and attempt to resolve that problem. As a result of – shock, shock – IMPALA did subsequent to nothing.
So many impartial corporations and organisations publicly applauded UMG’s stance vs. TikTok. Together with, to call a number of: A2IM, NMPA, Artist Rights Alliance, Hipgnosis, Major Wave, The Affiliation of Unbiased Music Publishers (AIMP), and others.
However IMPALA? Crickets.
“On UMG vs. TikTok? IMPALA merely sat on the sidelines.”
UMG had the whole lot to lose taking up one of many world’s largest and strongest leisure tech corporations. They confronted immense strain from artists and their representatives throughout these negotiations, however determined it was value it within the title of copyright’s worth.
I keep in mind a time when IMPALA led the cost on points like this – as they did throughout the YouTube ‘worth hole’ negotiations a decade in the past.
However on UMG vs. TikTok? IMPALA merely sat on the sidelines.
Worse: As a substitute of becoming a member of forces with different corporations/organisations inside music to assist avert a disaster – that of music rightsholders being underpaid and exploited by ‘Huge Tech’ – IMPALA now decides to criticize an organization that really stood up for music.
The recorded music trade’s total annual turnover is equal to only one week’s turnover for GAFA (Google, Amazon, Fb, and Apple).
With that in thoughts, refresh my reminiscence: who’re the actual ‘huge canine’ of the music world once more?
The place is the actual case for ‘market dominance’?
It saddens me: IMPALA was as soon as a proudly pro-independent physique. In the present day, it sounds extra like an anti-major clique.
IMPALA needs to look virtuous whereas portray the majors as ‘dangerous actors’. This falsehood remembers the absurdity of Boris Johnson’s pro-Brexit London bus.
An enormous world neighborhood of profitable independents – together with IMPALA members – are already utilizing the distribution companies of main music corporations and associates akin to ADA, The Orchard, AWAL, and Virgin Music Group.
Helen’s factors concerning the majors’ distribution “management” being “dangerous for artists” should bewilder all these impartial acts (and labels) which are settled, profitable, and completely happy in these enterprise relationships. To not point out FREE TO LEAVE these enterprise relationships!
“This should bewilder all these impartial acts (and labels) which are settled, profitable, and completely happy in enterprise relationships with major-owned distributors.”
It’s naïve to fake that the main music companies haven’t been within the enterprise of impartial distribution for over a decade now. It’s disingenuous to recommend that there are longstanding and ongoing issues inside this market.
If supposed market abuses in impartial distribution exist, I’ve genuinely by no means seen them – or heard about them from anybody in music’s impartial neighborhood.
(Bear in mind: Common Music Group is a publicly listed firm. Any suggestion that it might ponder bending fiduciary/market legal guidelines for its personal achieve is ludicrous.)
One other declare from IMPALA: there’s a lack of “impartial choices” in distribution for artists and labels right now.
This too is a falsehood. Revered impartial music trade physique Merlin is completely happy to suggest 19 impartial distributors to its members.
Nineteen! Nananana nineteen (with apologies to Paul Hardcastle)!
Doesn’t nineteen distribution choices for contemporary independents – and these are simply those endorsed by Merlin – exhibit a good quantity of market selection?!
Maybe my largest problem right here? IMPALA’s declare to signify the impartial music neighborhood.
There are actually 1000’s of self-releasing artists, impartial labels, and entrepreneurs who’re not members of IMPALA.
In actuality, IMPALA’s mandate to function on behalf of ‘independents’ really comes from solely a tiny fraction of the sector.
I’ve at all times been a proud co-founder of IMPALA (there’s a motive it’s headquartered in Brussels). But it’s an ideal disgrace that it’s grow to be a small-minded, inward-looking group, extra involved with specializing in imaginary issues than contributing options that really assist the music trade.
The instances, they’re a-changing… and make no mistake: the instances have modified.
Unbiased music rightsholders – whether or not artists or labels – are thriving in a brand new ecosystem. The entire binary ‘indies vs. majors’ narrative is passé.
It’s time to maneuver on from this drained previous story and tackle the actual points, akin to: the ‘worth hole’ in short-form video; the rising affect of enterprise capital and personal fairness in music rights possession and music distribution; the ever-present threats to copyright; and, after all, the elephant within the room: A.I.
The independents’ actual enemy lies outdoors the main music corporations.
Open your eyes.
Let’s all focus collectively on the actual points – reasonably than a pointless fight d’arriere garde (i.e. rearguard motion) that solves nothing.Music Enterprise Worldwide
