Unfortunately…
9 11 2006The last two mixes had to be removed because, when I asked if it was okay to use a song in the last mix, a particular record label didn’t appreciate having their tracks used. I’ve tried to convince them that it is good for their sales (after all, I’d never heard of the tracks in question before I saw them in other downloadable mixes and on mp3 blogs which subsequently led to me obtaining legit copies), but I’m not very hopeful.
This has however given me an idea to start a “Freedom to mix” organisation/website – which basically lists artists that will give permission to have their tracks used in mixes. The website could even keep record of exactly what permissions the artists give, like non-commercial mixes only, live mixes only, or complete freedom. I think I’ll follow this up early next year.
If any artists want to jump into this then send me your details and I’ll send an email out when a website is functional.
i know this is an older post, but it’s worth noting anyway. the notion of a label having a problem with a track being posted in a mix on a website is completely ridiculous. if i ever got a message from a label indicating they didn’t want their track used, i’d respect it, but i think i might lose respect for the label, or at least question their motives. if the fear is that someone might download the mix and be content with having the track in mixed form (likely in one long un-indexed file) then that’s just silly. if the fear is that a person might cut the track out of the mix and make an edit of it in order to play out, that’s even worse. i understand why a label might not want their tracks given out for free, and we always respect any requests we receive on our blog, but to proactively act against the creativity of the listener is kind of disturbing. maybe i’m just fundamentally misunderstanding the problem, but i can’t think of any other objection. this isn’t even an issue about business needing to adapt to the marketplace, this is an issue about how people ought to realign their thoughts about creating art in the digital age… anyway… nice mixes : )
Yeah, I was quite surprised and saddened by it. The label (Different Recordings) has some of my current (or used to be my current) favourite artists signed: MSTRKRFT, Tiga, Vitalic…
Thanks for the support
[...] Soulwax has an interesting section on getting permission from artists/labels for including tracks in mixes. As well as some explanation as to why some artists/labels are so tight-assed about it. [...]