Low have criticised their file label, Common Music Group, for not returning their rights to their again catalogue.
The band revealed the complete extent of their battle to get the rights again in a sequence of tweets, the primary of which was posted after a fan requested if they may someday repress their 1994 debut album ‘I Might Stay In Hope’.
“UMG gained’t give the rights again. We’ve requested. Unique advance was tiny, did 3 1/2 information with them that they gained’t give again to us after 25+ years now,” they wrote. “They maintain licensing to crappy reissue firms and we see nothing.”
Final yr, Low vocalist and drummer Mimi Parker handed away after being identified with ovarian most cancers in 2020.
“We will’t tour anymore,” continued the band, earlier than explaining how taking part in dwell exhibits was their solely supply of revenue.
When a fan recommended the band might ask UMG to renegotiate their contract, particularly in regard to licensing income, Low replied saying that that they had “been doing that for a number of years now”.
“We get the run-around and find yourself nowhere,” they mentioned.
Been doing that for a number of years now. We get the run-around and find yourself nowhere. https://t.co/HUFXbILMfi
— LOW (@lowtheband) January 4, 2023
One other fan seen that they had retweeted posts from Numero Group a couple of instances, who had lately started producing a Blondie field set that UMG presumably licensed. They recommended this might be a approach for Low to get their albums reissued.
“They’re doing nice work. Blondie is larger. Smaller teams like us don’t have the pull to renegotiate. We’re hardly value sending the intern to the warehouse for. Perhaps slightly public strain with change their thoughts. We don’t know what else to do,” they replied.
Love them. They’re doing nice work. Blondie is larger. Smaller teams like us don’t have the pull to renegotiate. We’re hardly value sending the intern to the warehouse for. Perhaps slightly public strain with change their thoughts. We don’t know what else to do. https://t.co/6ztUqEB9i7
— LOW (@lowtheband) January 4, 2023
Low later thanked the followers who had proven help. Thanks, buddies. If this doesn’t work, it’s secure to say we’ll know the place UMG stands. The system will crumble – they’ve an opportunity right here to regulate and be helpful to the longer term or fade to mud, clinging to their items of silver. Love you all. Peace on earth.”
Thanks, buddies. If this doesn’t work, it’s secure to say we’ll know the place @umg stands. The system will crumble – they’ve an opportunity right here to regulate and be helpful to the longer term or fade to mud, clinging to their items of silver.
Love you all. Peace on earth.
❤️🥁❤️
— LOW (@lowtheband) January 5, 2023
Tim Burgess of The Charlatans additionally took to Twitter to indicate his help for the band. The 2021 income for Common Music Group was over $10bn (yep that’s 10 BILLION {dollars}). @lowtheband are unable to tour, so their revenue is solely from their recorded music. This simply doesn’t appear honest in any respect.”
The 2021 income for Common Music Group (@umg) was over $10bn (yep that’s 10
BILLION {dollars}). @lowtheband are unable to tour, so their revenue is solely from their recorded music. This simply doesn’t appear honest in any respect https://t.co/liamxc3Lgg— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) January 5, 2023
NME has contacted UMG for remark.
UMG can also be going through a category motion lawsuit from the hip hop duo Black Sheep, who declare the music big owes them and different artists roughly $750million in unpaid royalties.