Let me preface this by saying that I know even those of us that are diligent about supporting independent businesses and thought have a hard time escaping the clutches. My internet provider, your cell phone. You do the best that you can, and any movement in that direction is appreciated, truly.
Over the course of some thirty five years I have been supported by a $3 check in the PO Box here, a record store ordering direct from the label there, or by independent distributors that carry my records like Revolver and Grapefruit. I have been at odds with the big boxes, with Spotify paying peanuts to the peasants, with Bandcamp being owned by the largest licensing platform in the world. Artists, who own their masters and the rights to their music on Shrimper, sign no contract. They decide what and where their music will be sold and a lot of them are up against a brick wall built by bean counters and flight by night thieves. Artist who have to tour, sit captive at a merch table, suffer poor sleep, time away from their family to tour more and more in an attempt to make ends meet. So what are they to do when the rent is due? Neil Young? Taylor Swift? Bruce Springsteen? Snoop Dogg? You have done nothing with your megaphone but pose with it, preen, play it safe even as you meekly stand up here or there. Millionaires playing make up, putting on airs. If they cared about you baby, they would do something for their community that is in need. Enjoy the gala, the award show with your thighs on your hands. High school does not end for some.
I am thankful and so incredibly fortunate to be this deep into still running this little cottage bake sale after all of these years, all the inspiring artists whose records I have issued, played music with, corresponded with. The kind souls. This world is largely made up of that. I can afford not to have my music on Spotify, not to sign on with a publisher or BMI so that my music can be played in a coffee shop gratis (never Starbucks, they don’t want to drive anyone away with the din of Refrigerator). Musically and with the label, I am the smallest of ripples, inconsequential to the lip of 100% of the world. What freedom. In saying that, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the stand that we are taking in January is to truly think about where our time and our money goes? Sign off on Insta & X & Meta et al, we are all just aphids on their gilded roses. Picked up my soap from a place that makes it in Pasadena (I hope there aren’t any goat teeth or corn cobs in it). Went to a mom & pop restaurant down the street for breakfast, the crew there was braver than the major media/label shills, of course they were. They were me. They were you. Everything starts with a step, hoping you get a couple more between you and them and I send you all of my love. Fact check that shit Zuckerberg.
Signed, DC