It’s certainly a noble notion — and here’s to the success of the Featured Artists’ Coalition, even if it does appear to be a longshot.
Dozens of UK pop and rock stars, including Radiohead, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, Kate Nash, Gang of Four, and The Verve, are among the acts who have signed on to a new music-industry pressure group, the Featured Artists’ Coalition [via the BBC and others].
As the music industry continues to shuffle, kicking and screaming, into the digital age, the FAC seeks to protect the artists’ rights over their own music, in addition to having a greater say in how their songs are sold and getting a bigger slice of the profits.
“We want all artists to have more control of their music and a much fairer share of the profits it generates in the digital age,” the FAC said in a statement on its Website.
“We speak with one voice to help artists strike a new bargain with record companies, digital distributors and others, and are campaigning for specific changes.” [FAC charter]
It’s yet another example of a shift underway in the music industry, whether it acknowledges it’s happening or not. David may be taking on Goliath here, but Goliath has been fighting the likes of Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, and other big-name artists for more than a year now. To make matters worse, the music-buying public is tired of the industry’s antics, which is reflected on the continued drop in sales.
We hope that Goliath is tiring from constant battle with bands and fans and that significant change is coming, thanks to pressure from organizations like FAC.
We did say “hope.”
