Another Indie Label Pulls From Spotify
A third independent metal label Prosthetic Records has pulled it's content from Spotify. "There [does] not appear to be an upside," Prosthetic co-owner E.J. Johantgen told the L.A. Weekly. The income from the streaming music service is just "fractions of pennies," according to the label head. Prosthetic joins Century Media and Metal Blade, two other Los Angeles-area metal labels who recently pulled out of Spotify.
A few small labels pulling material off Spotify, does not leave significant holes in the music streamers catalog – unless perhaps if you're a fan of indie LA metal. But it is symptomatic of what appears to be a bigger problem brewing for Spotify within the independent and d.i.y. music community.
Spotify & Hypebot Readers React
Reaction to our post yesterday "Spotify Responds To Artist Payments Controversy" has been strong and negative. "My beef is that they treat indie artists like second class citizens: they pay different rates for different artists, based on the secretive deals that no one is allowed to talk about," wrote successful indie artist Zoe Keating. "While the basic idea of Spotify is better than piracy, the pay for indie artists is about the same…," wrote commenter ictus75.
We've asked Spotify for reaction. Until then get involved in the discussion here.
MORE:
- "Spotify Responds To Artist Payments Controversy"
- Jay Frank: It's Not Spotify's Fault That You Make So Little Money
Are these labels pissed cuz they don’t make any money from Spotify or because no one likes their music?
Labels like Century Media and Metal Blade are not really obscure metal labels. Century media has names that are quite bit in the metal scene, not just “indie LA metal” but bands like Celtic Frost, Arch Enemy and in Flames and hardcore powerhouse Ignite. Metal Blade has As I Lay Dying, Gwar and Cannibal Corpse among the bigger names. Prostethic, a smaller label, adds Skeletonwitch and Testament..
If this means that all this music is no longer on Spotify, this does make quite a dent for the metal scene, I think.
This is the most press any of these labels have gotten in forever. They must feel really great right now for being recognized for their inability to do math.
For everyone keeping score, its now 3 off, 35,000 on. If I were one of the three labels I’d be wondering what the 35,000 know that they don’t.
If you think nobody likes Century Media’s music you really have no idea what you’re talking about.
Being on Spotify under such unfavorable terms is the equivalent to selling out. On a planet where almost everyone is a corporate whore, it’s nice to see a few keep their dignity.
I have to agree with this post because of my own frustrations with Spotify. My experiences with its system have been rather disappointing and to learn that they are unfairly treating bands and labels in the market gives me even more of a reason for being unsatisfied.
Zoe Keating said, “they pay different rates for different artists, based on the secretive deals that no one is allowed to talk about.” I am no metal fan either, but I find this absolutely unethical that they would classify their bands and price them at wavering values. It’s understandable that Spotify would have listeners prone to more popular music; however, there are still bands out there that work hard to be in a position to be on Spotify and the fact that they’re playing favorites and mishandling artists relations would make me want to leave too. No hard feelings with the Prosthetic Records, Century Media, and Metal Blade, I understand.
our label SA2 Records is also pulling its material from Spotify…..
Ricky. I think it’s that most of the other labels haven’t really thought it through.