Earlier this week the reformed again Van Halen’s new single ‘Tattoo’ appeared on Spotify. If you’re in the UK, it’s up there right now. Go and listen if you want, I’ll wait. Oh, you’re still here. Well, anyway, any US readers who rushed off will by now be realising that it’s not available for them to hear. Seemingly this is because Universal/Interscope signed a deal giving iTunes exclusivity on the track for its first week of release, but then accidentally distributed it to both services.
It’s a simple mistake, I guess. And it’s certainly not the first time such a thing has happened. The situation was rectified fairly quickly and everyone’s happy. Well, everyone except music business blogger Bob Lefsetz, who last night fired off a rant under the assumption that the band were joining the line of artists who want to pretend that streaming services are merely a distraction, rather than a significant part of their future. And while that may not really be the case for Van Halen, it’s a fine rant that makes some very good points.
“I’m sick and tired of these acts putting money first”, writes Lefsetz. “Refusing to be on the bleeding edge but insisting on pulling up the rear, screaming, kicking and crying all the way that they just can’t make the kind of money they used to. Meanwhile, they kick us in the balls by charging in excess of $100 for a concert ticket … If these acts were in a burning building they wouldn’t turn around and save their co-workers, they’d rush out, putting chairs under doors so no one could impede their descent”.
Read more here.
Sections: And Finally - Beef Of The Week - by Andy Malt | Tags: Bob Lefsetz, Spotify, Van Halen
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