Tag: music

YouTube and Facebook escape billions in copyright payouts after EU vote

I’m not here to support G or FB getting anymore breaks, because it always has to boil down to the people, to the users: these platforms, and all media and social media platforms are essential to creative freedom/expression/speech/assembly. Any means to curtail those freedoms (no, Axel Voss, not the end of the Internet – that is hyperbolic) by slapping copyright claims wherever a studio or producer can (and they will) threatens the shutdown of those platforms, affecting those who do not have the means to fight back, affecting their ability to communicate with others. 

Imagine if Tumblr were to be sued for all the ‘copyrighted’ material that is uploaded to its site, to the point where Tumblr has no choice but to completely eliminate those works or even the blogs connected with them, which would, ultimately force users off the site for good, thus ending Tumblr. No site wants to pay out millions just to protect a 15 year old’s fan account. 

Never mind that the fan’s account is free publicity for XYZ artist and whoever represents them. Never mind the use of hashtags is one of the most effective marketing tools there is, and memes are almost a form of social currency. 

The timing for all of this seemingly easily defeated brouhaha  – just as the US loses Net Neutrality, an issue that will help ISPs to further bleed their customers – ISPs that, if various mergers go forth, could mean that content creators OWN the ISP as well – and if they want further control of their content by slapping everyone with copyright notices, the capitalist writing is on the wall.

Greed is always guaranteed to go too far.  

YouTube and Facebook escape billions in copyright payouts after EU vote

YouTube faces paying billions to music stars after copyright vote

Say goodbye to Youtube, say hello – again – to another age of illegal uploads and downloads.

If it all goes sideways, the people are the biggest losers, especially the smaller content producers and those who follow them. Fan videos, reaction videos, even those allegedly protected under fair use, will likely be eliminated or challenged.

I think it’s important for users to know, however, that it is the services themselves being directly penalised – not the users.  So if you made a fan video of an Ed Sheeran song, you’re not going to be targeted, the service you uploaded it to is.  I’ve seen too many posts coming out of Europe stating they’ll delete their blogs for fear of being sued over the content. No. Tumblr could be sued, not you (and that could mean the end of Tumblr).  

This could get very ugly. Not that the Guardian or other UK papers give a shit. They keep burying it in their tech pages – if they discuss it at all.  And US media isn’t covering it at all from what I’ve seen, so if you’re angry that US users aren’t discussing it or the UK even, it’s because no one really knows about it.  

YouTube faces paying billions to music stars after copyright vote

This song reminds me of being young, of being smitten and thinking there would be better days ahead. It makes me think of a girl I knew who shared it with me and how lovely and strange it was to live in a bubble of summer and sunshine even in the cold of dreary Edinburgh in winter.  

Time keeps passing and I know nothing of her now but this song. 

Hi DoctorSmith i loved that video on John Williams i’m a music junkie film music espesh, and you talk about music sometimes. are you a musician? what’s your favorite film score? who is your favorite film composer?

That was a good video. I appreciate that there are so many that help breakdown orchestrations for students and for general interest.  I started piano when I was four, so that’s my instrument (I’ve tried others, but I’m not very proficient).  I have loads of favourites, too many to list here, but I’ll recommend you a few and see if you like.  

  • George Fenton’s score for Shadowlands – I didn’t like the film much (the original teleplay was better). It’s one of the few scores you could listen to without the film. Feels complete and pastoral, a bit RVW, relaxing and lovely, some very nice choral pieces (you can find some of it on YT).
  • Nino Rota’s score for the 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet – really evocative of the Elizabethan era, full of nuance and longing and while it might be considered a little trite now thanks to so many ‘modernised’ versions of the main theme, it holds up.  
  • Philip Glass’ The Hours – you’d have to appreciate his minimalist style, but here it perfectly underlines the thoughtful cadences of this film. Glass’ music is the perfect background for the inner workings of troubled minds and repressed emotions.  
  • Ennio Morricone – The Mission.  Look up his live performances of this score on YT, it’s worth it. He’s written some of the greatest themes and I think Gabriel’s Oboe is his finest.  
  • John Barry – Out of Africa.  The score just sings, beautifully over this gorgeous-looking film (which is about all I can say for it).  
  • I’m bothered that the last two films I’ve selected have troubling colonialist/white hero themes.  My enjoyment of the music in no way marks a preference for the films themselves.  
  • Rachel Portman, Chocolat – evokes the dark, fairytale quality of this story, being swept along by a strange wind.  Portman deserves more work and better recognition.  
  • Terence Blanchard – Malcolm X – Blanchard is a jazz musician and his score is filled with references of the time periods that cover Malcolm’s life, but it builds on its own to something almost ethereal and funereal – this doesn’t get much mention anywhere, so I hope you look it up.

As for favourite composers – I just can’t go there.  I love all sorts of music and it would take me too long to list as I need to organise them appropriately.  

Thanks for writing and for the good questions.  

**SHAMELESS SELF-PROMO**

weasal:

gramjams:

As you may or may not know, I’m a DJ. I’ve been playing other people’s records for a loooong time: 16 years to be precise, and music is my greatest passion (yes I have a passion greater than Clexa….shock horror!)

A couple of months ago I started a music blog called @aurallylikethatsong which has been a brilliant musical brain dump for me, and I hope people have been enjoying the stuff I post there. Through this I’ve been asked a few times if I have any DJ mixes up online that people can listen to….well the answer is YES!

I’ve spent this afternoon updating my SOUNDCLOUD page, and it now contains my entire mix back catalogue (well the ones I can find…there are probably another 10 in existence somewhere) Some I’m immensely proud of, some make me cringe a little when I listen back, but each one has been a labour of love and literally taken my blood, sweat and tears to record.

@weasal can vouch 100% for that last statement

**SHAMELESS SMUG POST**

MY WIFE’S A HOT DJ. 

No but really, her mixes are so so good. Do yourself a favour and go and enjoy a whole lot of proper tunage. 

Always ready for music.