A take on the new paid streaming service by Apple from Taylor Swift.
http://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/1...le-love-taylor
Now let me just say, I think Taylor Swift is one of the more talented of her ilk (popstars) as she writes her own songs and isn't machined. But I'm NOT a fan, and I don't like the way she comes across or the fact she writes songs about everyone who wrongs her (in her mind, at least.)
Now onto the issue at hand (I just have to rant about her sometimes
)
Ultimately I DO agree with Taylor. For those three months, Apple will be giving
0 royalties for the three month trial. At least Spotify pays something to them, and Spotify is free to use. FYI, Taylor pulled ALL of her music from Spotify last year I believe, and a couple of people followed suit (Jason Aldean, to name one).
I think paid streaming is a good move (as does Taylor, apparently). But I have to say, three months without even a penny is an awfully long time. Apple shouldn't get rid of a free trial, but at least pay the artists SOMETHING. If they can't afford it for three months, then maybe a 1 month trial. But give the artists something. Otherwise, you're worse than Spotify and absolutely a step in the wrong direction.
On an unrelated-but-related note, I was not pleased with what I saw from Apple Music (formerly Beats with Dr. Dre and his pal, Jimmy Iovine). To me it's poorly executed and I'm not a fan. I'll be sticking to Spotify.
If in the future a paid streaming (meaning more features for ME AND more money to ARTISTS) comes along that I like, I will definitely sign up.
Right now if you buy Spotify Premium, that ISN'T paying artists more. It's just getting rid of ads on Spotify, so Spotify themselves have more money.
So really Apple Music is a one step forward, two steps back kind of launch and I don't think it'll go over big. Independent artists that are relatively unknown are being told Apple will remove their music from the iTunes store if they don't allow the free 3 months for their streaming service. Pretty crappy if you ask me. As of right now, Apple is denying such move, but it's all over Twitter.
I have to say, this is all coming from a normally otherwise Apple-biased individual. It's all I use (other than a HP Stream 11 for some networking tools). Macs, iPads, and an iPhone. That's what I use day in and out. But even I can admit what a poor choice Apple has made on how to handle their royalties.
A lot of my musician friends both known and unknown on social media have posted to support this open letter and Taylor's move. And I do as well.