Sunday, June 21, 2015

Taylor Swift strongest super hero
in universe
Demolishes world's largest corporation
Apple in 17 hours

Sure it took more time than Caitlyn Jenner to reach 1-million Twitter follower, but Taylor Swift brought the world's largest corporation, Apple, to its knees in 17 hours.

This from Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services (Swift's missive at 4 a.m., reply at 9 p.m.):
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic

Not addressed in the response is Swift's issue:
"This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs."

No one heard Taylor Swift
Only holding back one of six albums
Apple Music gets five

At 4 a.m., December 21, 2015, Tween Music was one of the first to post Taylor Swift's missive on Apple Music.

The world is raving for Ms. Swift and her stance. Wonder what they'd say if she said, "I'm giving five records to Apple Music, just not my new one?"

That's what she did.

She's given up her Christmas work, Sounds of the Season, her first self titled CD, Fearless, Speak Now and Red.

Read her missive - "I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service,"

Taylor Swift - the millenials' Oprah

Wish I was smart enough to come up with Taylor Swift, the millenials' Oprah.

But I sure as hell am copyrighting it right here, right now.

Taylor Swift pissed at Apple, but company could own her record label
Looks like she's going to Interscope

It appears Taylor Swift will be leaving Big Machine Records for Interscope after all.

Apple Corporation is negotiating to purchase Big Machine, but the understanding is Swift has to be included in the package.

June 21, 2015, Swift posted this message:

To Apple, Love Taylor

I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.

This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.
These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.
I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.
Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Taylor