Independant Piracy....

I am not one to really chronicle much outside of my personal journey on my blog. I rarely ever discuss religion, politics or my stances on certain topics of the world at large but i have been recently been readying a lot of debates on a particular subject that is so dear to my heart.

The topic that I have been thinking a lot about is Independent Music. I muct say I am and have always been a huge fan of artists that etch a mark and form molds that are unique to their own model.

Afew weeks ago I read an article on Lily Allen speaking about music piracy . She was very articulate in response to Nick Mason from Pink Floyd and Ed O’Brien from Radiohead speaking how they thought that filesharing wasn't an issue.

No better words were spoken than by Darren Hayes in his blog in response to the article. This sparked alot of debate but sadly I found so many poeple responding that disagreed with the Indie artist all seems to have the same opinion. Critics seem to think that as a public we are "owed" or "entitle" free music and that it should be available at no charge.

Personally I claim Bullshit on this. I know many poeple who also Pirate DVD's and Movies. I will be honest and say I have watched these with such frustration at the quality and the irritation of an exit sign or someones head on the screen. I wanted to see what was so amazing about this. Well truthfully NOTHING.

The major argument is that artist's make too much money on the albums/DVD's/single's etc. The truth is that if most poeple were actually to delve into what it takes to create. market, produce, and manufacture they may be shocked by how little artists actually take home at the end of the day.

Though this is the career of choice for an artist it would be disrespectful to state that this is a reason fro not paying someone what they are worth. You can not walk into an auto shop and expect to drive off and not pay for the work that was performed. You cant go to a restauraunt, feel so good about the food you ate and then walk away without paying the waiter and staff for the work they put into your meal. We pay for the services and entertainment that we want and desire.

Modern time have twisted and morphed the way we look at art and what we "deserve". being a child of the 80's it was not uncommon to make the famous "mix tapes" to show off our fave songs or to show a crush how much he like them in some kind of cheesy romantic touchy love songs. The big difference for many is that we would hear a song and rush out to find the albums the songs were on. It was an experience of listening to full albums. I would not have survived high school if it were not for the full albums "Disintegration", "The Queen Is Dead", "Violator" or "The Innocents".

Now poeple feel they can just rip songs from file sharing never pay for the work and then never buy an album. Major labels are not made these days for quality music and quality artists. Just take a look at artists like Casey Stratton, Eric Himan, Ryan Mintz, Christopher Dallman, Aiden James, et al. These artists live by either constant touring, merchandising, or continuously releasing new music so that they don't lose the beginning momentum they have started.

I am thankful to know one of the most outspoken advocates for independent music Casey Stratton. Just take a scratch into the his blog and you will see a true artist that is constantly finding his entire albums and catalog pirated on some filesharing site. That is unbeleivable when you consider that the only income he makes is his album sales.

Many artists have even turned to some amazing tactics to try and raise funds to continue even completing an EP much less a full length album. Not all artist can afford home studios or even have the skills to do it all on their own. Many start very simple Grassroots Campaigns to raise funds to just complete a quality product. This is a way to keep their integrity and be the artist that modern radio would not allow.

This is now coming attack and how ridiculous its is to attack the way anyone markets or targets thems selves. Amanda Palmers recent blog speaks directly to this exact attack to independent artist. I have to be honest when i was trying to kick start my musical career i started a paypal simply for the purpose of raising funds to get into a professional recording environment. Noone chose to donate to my musical endeavours and that was their choice. But to attack this is ridiculous. That would be similar as to say that a politician shouldnt raise funds for their campaign.

I make a conscience choice to pay for what I can and donate to artists I want to support. I actually choose in most cases to not even order the physical CD. I much woulr prefer to havethe digital dowload knowing that it is less expensive for an Independent artist.

What it really comes down to is we make choices how we spend our money. I feel like if I cant afford to go to a movie I dont need to see it at this time. I will wait til it comes out on DVD or Netflix. If I want an album I will buy it . If I cant afford to buy an album I wait until I can afford to buy it or buy a couple songs off an album. I go to artist and watch them play shows and support in all the ways I can. Given the fact that honestly you can purchase most albums off Itunes or artist websites for $10 or less that isnt too bad honestly. Especially when an Indie artist is getting a majority of the money back in order to fund a tour or new album.

The truth is that if many of the poeple who are intensely succesful and have been for the past couple decades were to release albums now in this day and age there is a good chance they would be unsuccesful. The support needed to start a career and maintain is so challenging given the way we have allowed our society to view ART as unimportant and something that is owed and not something that is a service that we pay for.

Enough of that soapbox... but i feel that it was worth sharing my thoughts as an avid music lover and indie artist fan... this one is for the artists I love.

Trilogy

The number 3 has always held a deep meaning and close to heart number for me. I have always had things in my life happen in 3's. The power of three is so powerful for so many reasons beyond what seems the most obvious.

There will always be the obvious religious aspect of (the father, son , holy ghost), there is always the saying "all bad things come in threes" (I am not sure bad things have come in three for me), and of course supposedly all deaths occur in three's as well. I have just personally found that the number three brings such good fortune to my life. It is almost a mystical number to my existance.

I have been thing about the 3's lately. It has been clearer as of late that I am starting in a third stage of some sort in my life. Returning home to witness my grandparents celebrating 60 years of marriage as well as seeing my freind Eric Himan (www.erichiman.com) put my mind into a tailspin. So many thoughts... mostly about stages.

STAGE 1: SPOKANE:

Being born and raised in a small minded place like Spokane was always a challenge for a guy like me. I never honestly felt that was where i was meant to stay, even at a young age. The first stage of mt development I feel was the flaundering stage. Spokane brought me the awareness that I was stronger than most. I would lean on this trait throughout the years but I felt so very confused by my own purpose. very lost and out of touch.

My time in Spokane saw me grow from the loss of my bio-parents, the blessing of my current parents and created family. Pain, loss, and heartache were not foreign to my soul or to my energy. I was married and lied about my true self and the fact that I was indeed GAY. eventually I would fall in love for the first time with a man that at the time was self destructive but necessary. I was green to the world and not sure I would survive the growing and changing that was necessary.

Months before I moved to Seattle I had felt a shift. I knew life wouldnt be the same. Angelo's health was suffereing and that meant a temporary move to Seattle for a stem-cell transplant. My freind Rose had told my mom before I moved "Do you think that he will be back", I was told my moms reply was "I dont think so". The move was very WIDE OPEN SPACES ( insert Dixie Chicks reference). Little did I know what the future would hold.

STAGE 2: SEATTLE:

Moving to Seattle ended up being permanent. Very early, within months my life changed very drastically. Angelo was healed but there was a shift that had set in by then and we no longer worked as a couple. But the adventure that Seattle was just beginning. I could not have been prepared if you had told me in advance. Thank goodness noone did though.

Seattle was my first chance at self reflection, truthful and honest encounters with gay culture. I started volunteering, learned about Gay prides, politics (both community and worldy), I learned all about all what the meaning behind each of the LGBT letters meant. I worked and lived, laughed and attempted love. I fell and picked myself back up.

Then the diagnosis 4 years ago which made me whip myself around and wake up to a whole new way of life. I learned to make myself priority #1. Not to be hurt both physically and mentally. I learned to not take any part of life for granted. I learned that I am worth more than I had ever given myself any credit for, I found something deep inside me that I didnt even know existed. I learned that i could write, i had a photograpghic eye, and a voice . It was very SILENT ALL THESE YEARS (insert Tori Amos reference).

I learned a whole different kind of heartbreak, I even became an entrepeneur shortly with Glass Phoenix as a local music promoter. That is where I realized I had many talents in my heart and soul. I understood songs and words that I never grasped before. I delved into my soul that was a KITTEN and pulled a very strong TIGER.

I learned the value of a true freind and someone who is an acquaintence. I learned so much from Seattle. Seattle brought me clarity of mind that I could never have had previously. The last thing Seattle changed about me was it led me to something that i struggled to find my whole life:

TRUE LOVE!!!!!!!

Yes i know all things happen for a reason and I know that I am finally open hearted and my soul is right where it is supposed to be. I finally feeled loved from the inside out. I have learned that the light that we create comes from inside first and that noone can make that happen for you. There is truly peace within my soul.

STAGE 3: PORTLAND:

With this enlightenment that I feel I am ready for the next adventure. Much like the feeling I had when leaving Spokane 8 years ago. I know that Seattle has been good to me but that I am ready for new energy. Seattle has taught me more in the past 8 years than Spokane did in the previous 27 years. I have thought about moving for a long time and then I received a surprise gift from the universe...

Jacob... he has entered my life at the perfect time and the perfect stage of my development. I know this is the third stage where I am read to be a grown up and be settled with the man I have dreamed about.

I am getting things set up... resumes written, jobs being searched, plans being made...

No I am not moving tomorrow or even next week... It will be a few months but I know it is the right move and that I am about to begin the best and most amazing journey of my whole life... I have been waiting to be in this place my whole life and I feel like the road ahead is clear and ready to move forward... this time though it will be with someone that I feel so complete with and loved by...

Here is to the best ...