MBW Views is a sequence of op/eds from eminent music trade individuals… 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 totally acquired by Common Music Group final 12 months.
IMPALA represents the pursuits of a bunch of impartial music corporations in Europe. It’s presently 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, had 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 Govt 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 he or she 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 struggle.”
After that, I known as my long-time enterprise associate, and one in all 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’ll query your integrity and say you’re a Common stooge. Why trouble?”
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 actually respect the recommendation my family and friends have provided me. However I’ve determined to deal with a few of Helen’s claims, as a result of I really feel I have 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 group, notably infuriates me.
Helen factors to UMG’s bust-up with TikTok final 12 months to assist her claims of Common’s supposed market management.
On this, let me be very clear: no less than UMG had the center to confront TikTok and attempt to resolve that situation. 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 just a few: A2IM, NMPA, Artist Rights Alliance, Hipgnosis, Main 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 every thing to lose taking up one of many world’s largest and strongest leisure tech corporations. They confronted immense stress from artists and their representatives throughout these negotiations, however determined it was value it within the identify of copyright’s worth.
I bear in mind a time when IMPALA led the cost on points like this – as they did in the course of 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 truly stood up for music.
The recorded music trade’s total annual turnover is equal to simply one week’s turnover for GAFA (Google, Amazon, Fb, and Apple).
With that in thoughts, refresh my reminiscence: who’re the actual ‘huge canines’ 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. Right this moment, it sounds extra like an anti-major clique.
IMPALA needs to seem virtuous whereas portray the majors as ‘dangerous actors’. This falsehood remembers the absurdity of Boris Johnson’s pro-Brexit London bus.
An enormous international group of profitable independents – together with IMPALA members – are already utilizing the distribution providers of main music corporations and associates comparable 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 blissful 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 blissful in enterprise relationships with major-owned distributors.”
It’s naïve to faux that the foremost 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 group.
(Bear in mind: Common Music Group is a publicly listed firm. Any suggestion that it will 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 at this time.
That is yet one more falsehood. Revered impartial music trade physique Merlin is blissful to suggest 19 impartial distributors.
Nineteen! Nananana nineteen (with apologies to Paul Hardcastle)!
Doesn’t nineteen distribution choices for contemporary independents – and these are simply those endorsed by Merlin – reveal a good quantity of market selection?!
Maybe my largest situation right here? IMPALA’s declare to symbolize the impartial music group.
There are actually hundreds 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’ truly comes from solely a tiny fraction of the sector.
I’ve at all times been a proud co-founder of IMPALA (there’s a purpose it’s headquartered in Brussels). But it’s an awesome disgrace that it’s develop into a small-minded, inward-looking group, extra involved with specializing in imaginary issues than contributing options that truly 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 outdated story and tackle the actual points, comparable 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 exterior the foremost music corporations.
Open your eyes.
Let’s all focus collectively on the actual points – slightly than a pointless fight d’arriere garde (i.e. rearguard motion) that solves nothing.Music Enterprise Worldwide
