Actually, this record label does seem to care about the dollars. The biggest challenge for music is to get listeners. Some percent of the listeners will be inclined to support the artists (and indirectly the record labels, that hopefully is providing the artists with some services of value). A way to maximize the number of listeners is to upload the music to as many places as possible.

and the “major” record companies..
no one really needs them anymore. the cost of producing and distributing records dropped significantly.
they should consider changing their business to something that is more profitable, like, uh….. prostitution?

A huge congratulations for the Canadian Pirate Party and Thorny Records for their initiative. Make sure you put the contents available in any digital music store so the people who like can show their support by paying for the best tracks!

Death to the majors!

This is exactly what many people wanted all along: to discover something new and great.

Terry T
http://www.total-privacy.net.tc

What’s all this talk of piracy? Thorny Bleeder chose to distribute this album via bittorrent. I think piracy is way off topic. Just like I said before the industry (represented by Reasoned Mind) is threatened by competition (represented by Thorny Bleeder). Your problem is you see piracy where there is none and argue to take away privacy so you can find what doesn’t exist.

And just who are you accusing? I accuse Time Warner of stifling the public domain. I accuse the RIAA of trying to keep Thorny Bleeder from having Bittorrent as a distribution method. People usually accuse people of doing things. Like,

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/cher-sues-universal-music-group-over-unpaid-royalties_100200336.html

Just who are you accusing? Who is pirating? I think you’er just making all of this up. You have no idea who’s licensed what for any type of distribution whatsoever. You never mention what is even being pirated, from where or by whom. Why should anyone believe your unsubstantiated claims?

You are an empty shirt.

Real fans put their money where their mouth is. Always have. Still do.

You are forcing creatives into the arms of industry because piracy, for them, is so much worse. Don’t believe me? Try this.

Here’s another 7000 artists signatures to suck on:

http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/

“Increasingly, creators are finding their work misappropriated, reproduced and distributed without their knowledge, consent or benefit by those who believe intellectual property should be free for the taking. It is important that creators speak up about how the principle of copyright empowers and provides incentive for creators.”

The announcement follows a rapid internal response to the letter, which within a few days of circulation among the Alliance’s grassroots network garnered nearly 7,000 electronic signatures. With artists encouraging participation within their personal networks on blogs and Twitter feeds, the letter already has been signed by creators in all 50 states and representing a full spectrum of creative disciplines.

Signers include authors, photographers, songwriters, graphic designers, filmmakers, musicians, publishers, jewelry designers, web designers, photojournalists, illustrators, video game developers, architects, cartoonists, composers, playwrights, voice actors, animators, sculptors, painters and videographers.”

To correct your misconceptions of me. I do buy what I download. I go and get off my not-so-fat-but-could-loose-a-couple-pounds ass and do something about it. And maybe read a little better into what I’m saying otherwise you would of realized a lot of what you said just comes off as rather childish insults.

It is true that neither of us can prove beyond a shadow of doubt our points because government and corporations do their dealings behind closed doors our of the view of the public. Does it make it right, of course not. Will it change because its not right, of course not cause the ones profiting from it don’t want to change it.

And as for your “my harming the artist” claptrap; you just said that artist rights are not the issue (or at least implied it). I support the artist quite well, the greedy self-serving SOB corporations not so much.

While do you might make some minor points that I might agree with in principle. I very sincerely doubt you would have the same open mind on this subject. Cause your words give me the impression that you have everyone who pirates pigeonholed into a narrow minded stereotype that has never been proven or deserved.

Nothing was ever free. Nothing, not ever. Nor will it ever be. You are going to have to get used to reality, or sputter to somebody who wants to hear it on the sidelines.

Whether the work is done by nature, organized labor, organized crime, the Pirates themselves or the artists who make what you copy illegally, the work gets done. Some one or something did it. That’s what gives it value. That’s reality, while you whine about “I want free” there are others working their asses off, some in corporations, many independent by the way, ALL putting their hard work into it while you sit with a mouse ethics-free “trying before you buy” and crying like a little girl about “fair use”, as if a free full copy totally unpaid is fair.You are drowning in your own sense of entitlement.

With no evidence you’ve ever purchased since Napster.
No evidence I work for a corporation.
(I don’t.)
No evidence my principles are compensated. (They’re not)
No evidence the FAC is doing as their “handlers” tell them. (That’s just vile. The FAC isn’t even an industry sanctioned organization. They are some of the finest recording artists on the planet, and you should be ashamed. But you are a pirate, you have none.)
No evidence “stars” are paid to say what they think and denounce about piracy.
No evidence lawyers manipulated any court, anywhere. You’d better back that one up.
No evidence of one single lobbyist payment.
You are bullshit.

Truth is, Trelew, you are spouting the same, empty pathetic “woe is me I’m poor and powerless and not rich or elite” and so I need my stuff for freeeeeee. Like all the other losers in life. Get off your fat entitled ass.

Get some pride. Do something to improve your sorry lot and make the world a better place for art and artists by PAYING for their stuff with money you EARN yourself. Or just do without it. You don’t even deserve it with a “poor me” attitude like that.

And don’t even try to kid me or yourself that piracy paying nothing gives the artist a better deal. Were that even close to true, they’d be with you in solidarity since 1999. Instead, they are in desperation that your ransacking stop, turning to their own industries and their own governments to stop your infringing and penalize you when caught.

When you get the artists organized in favor of infringement, Trelew, I’ll listen, because they see where their interests are respected and it’s never been with you. So until you bring a roster of a couple hundred of the very best like the FAC did last week, instead of your pathetic 2% EU thiefclub, you are bullshit with no evidence to back up one single thing you said here.

http://www.featuredartistscoalition.com/showscreen.php?site_id=161&screentype=site&screenid=161&loginreq=0&blogaction=showitem&bloginfo=800

You just want your free shit and that’s your “transparency” for all to see and your punishments for this thieving will be your “accountability”.

Put up or shut up. You’ve been harming artistic careers by taking without paying for far too long.

All you have done on here is spout the corporate line, which has never been proven, and sh!t on anyone that has spoken against you. Yes, looking back all your responses on this site, I do believe you are nothing more than someone paid to spout corporate propaganda.

“Instead, newcomers are starving on Facebook and Myspace empty promises while the FAC artists are finally giving up on your promises to pay them some way or other, because you don’t. And they see it. And they know it. And they see what you’ve done to their income and their careers. And they are sick and tired of it.”

Do you have any proof of this? Cause I’ve never seen anything unless it happens to be at a corporate press conference. With the musicians there spouting what their handlers tell them to say.

As for the big stars speaking out on internet piracy. I’m betting some backroom deal has been made for their endorsement.

As for not buying product, I’ve never said that. I still buy CDs, DVDs, and games. With piracy I have the opportunity to “try before you buy”.

The corporation has always had the high card even before internet piracy was just a gleam in some programmer’s eye. I didn’t need to “give” it to them (like I really would do something that stupid). Their collective egos got bitch slapped when Napster literally caught them with their pants down.

They responded in true draconic fashion. Instead of embracing the new technology and change they way they do business, they attacked both customer and pirate alike. Getting their lawyers to manipulate the courts, having their corporate lobbyist manipulate (re: bribe) politicians and high-level bureaucrats safely with the walls of government where there is no transparency or accountability.

When the corporation and their corrupted government lackeys change things we will see a change and it won’t be for the good of the people. The concept of “fair use” or “public domain” will be killed off. Can you imagine a user fee for every book you take out of a library? Use in school? An annual fee to use a radio or TV? I wouldn’t be surprised if they ask for a user fee to sing a national anthem. Cause nothing will be free anymore…unless you happen to be apart of the elite rich & powerful.

That’s never been the issue, and you must know that. Who cares? It’s irrelevant, and if piracy was so great we’d have seen artists FLOCK to it these past 10 years. (TEN, yes TEN)

Instead, newcomers are starving on Facebook and Myspace empty promises while the FAC artists are finally giving up on your promises to pay them some way or other, because you don’t. And they see it. And they know it. And they see what you’ve done to their income and their careers. And they are sick and tired of it.

And if you think artists like Billy Bragg or Elton John or Annie Lennox do what an industry tells them to do YOU are the delusioned sock puppet, not me. They made real money before your crap got started so don’t even try to tell me” industry doesn’t pay.” You (all by yourself) can probably name 100 artists the industry has enriched beyond their wildest hopes and dreams, like RadioHead and Reznor himself, so stuff it and do your homework.

Even if piracy could be shown to be a huge benefit it would be just as illegal. But then the artists would be BEHIND you, not standing in your way like they are now. Ever ask yourself why artists just might be pissed that you forcibly removed their income from their product using a computer? You need a serious wake-up call.

If the Pirate Party gathers votes and changes the laws, we’ll see the changes you want to see and believe me, I’ll be all in support of that. That’s how democracy works and I don’t give a shit about the labels.

You could have stopped buying and let the corporations whither, too, because all their work is “crap”. Right?

But oddly enough, you wanted (and took) a free copy if every bit of that “crap” and now you whine that government, industry and now even the artists themselves are sick and tired of your hypocritical bullshit. I don’t even work in digital industry, Trelew, your belief I must be a “stooge” to have principles different from your entitlement is one of your greatest ideological weaknesses. Piracy is lawbreaking and you’ve handed the high cards directly to the corporations and now they are using them. And they are FINALLY NOW just getting started. Hope you like what you’ve wrought.

So bend over, 2% stooge, and enjoy what’s coming. Maybe even listen to a little plifered music while it happens.

:-)

Spoken like a true corporate stooge. Speak the corporate line and don’t think for yourself. The truth is there if you care to see it.

The artist have never been harmed by internet piracy. Just like they never have been harmed back when you taped music off the radio with a cassette player. Corporations want to change the copyright rules so that can make more money, not protect artist’s rights. If you think it was about that give yourself a shake. Corporations don’t give a rat’s ass about the artists. They are nothing more than a commodity to be abused by the rich and powerful.

Unfortunately because of the corruption of government by corporations I think you get to see your wish of society run by corporations.

Such sophistry. Such bullshit. The corporations are crying foul because you are breaking the law and using technology to strip the rights and the purchase price from the work of the artist and the corporation with whom they made a deal.

Get over yourself, Trelew. If “this is not yours to share” is complicated and hard to understand for you, I’m certain the governments and law enforcement will explain it to you in the years ahead.

You seem to be buying into the stereotype of the pirate is a person that just takes and never buys anything and the corporations are the true victims here. While I agree that there are some pirates who do nothing but leech and don’t give anything back. They are the minority. There have several polls done that show the majority of pirates are of the “try before you buy” variety.

The corporations are only crying foul because something in challenging their power and greed. Even if its in a minor way. That is something their collective egos can not tolerate.

I personally feel the corporations have way too much power as it is. Through lawyers and corporate lobbyist they can manipulate any government to do what they want. This needs to change but unfortunately the corruption is way too deep for that to happen anytime soon.

That probably doesn’t gives me much “rights” to complain, but…

This idea/project is by now only embraced by the “not so well known” artists. This gives them an edge, and a way to look “cool”, that in my view is a bit “unfair”.

Unfair to ME.

Because by now I don’t have access to what I like to hear, watch, read.

Unless I choose the “tough” question, do I buy this, or do I dld it?

So… I’m concerned. I’m very concerned that we’ll be getting to a point were only a few “tastes” are served, pushing everyone else to that awfull decision.

Please, oh, please, don’t make me choose between buying or downloading. It’s not “FAIR”.

A Concerned User.

Says who? Generally most artists with major labels rely on music sales to repay the debt the record company has saddled them with to produce the songs in the first place. Perhaps you should read this article, about how artists are funded, and where music sales fit in with that.

And lesser known musicians have a lot to gain from free distribution and the exposure it can gain them.

But pirates don’t respect any of that. Pirates just take their booty copyrighted or not and move on because they don’t care. I think the rights holder should retain EVERY right to control their works as they see fit, to give it away if they want, to sell it if they prefer, whatever they want. They created it and I think that gives them rights, too. Even if they choose to sell those rights away for the benefits it brings them.

But to use technology to strip the rights and possible commercial gain from an artist as pirates routinely do is just shitty. And to use privacy laws to hide behind while doing it? So industry sues for their own rights and the government limits our privacy?

No one ever accused piracy of being classy. Or smart. But ThornyBleeder seems to be.

You’re acting like a spoilt brat. Be grateful this could be the start of something big

Just when things were looking ever more bleak, you guys come along and save the day. You are setting a great example here, now let’s hope the traditionalists are paying attention, and will finally start to realize that there’s no other way to go about this, if they and the artists they represent hope to have any kind of future in their respective lines of business.

—
@ 37 michael8124: LOL!

I thought he would be here by now telling us that using a distribution model that he (or she as it’s Lily Allen) doesn’t approve of is theft.

All the RIAA is trying to do is shut down forms of distribution which might put independent labels on even footing. Even if Thorny Bleeder is successful we’ll continue to hear the same tired arguments because piracy is not the problem to the RIAA, Thorny Bleeder is.

For smaller artists, this will be great and will open up a market where none had thought to exist. Thing I would like to see happen is artists embrace this technology ontop of the Creative Commons license. Getting rid of the morbid fair use BS and having a true standard on what media is allowed to be used and how, without having to go to court showing how you have the right to use portions for rating or educational purposes.

Everything boils down to money. Promotion alone can’t help someone making a living off anything. When it comes down it, you need profits.

So if you love any of the bands, buy their album on iTunes or order a t-shirt…or contact them directly for a donation.

Thanks again for all of the support and kind words everyone, you’re the reason why we’re doing this!

Free the music!

Brian
Thorny Bleeder Records
http://www.thornybleeder.com

Defendant: That isn’t a stripper pole. It’s a fire pole, so if my house catches on fire, the fire department can get there quicker.

Judge: Idiot. (throws gavel at defendant’s head)

The Turn and Burning Borders I’m definitely going to check out.

A.M. Glory, TV Heart Attack, Sweetheart, Southern Death Threat, and Yuca, probably check out.

Kill Rhythm… Maybe if I need filler in my play lists. They are very generic. Good, but nothing jumps out at me yet.

Also, the Drummer from Quartered is excellent. Would like to see him on other projects.