This Just Makes Me Angry

[@MarySpender]

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[@keithedmond3905]

Not a rant, just an honest opinion and very well made. If anyone ever uses the term 'dovetail' regarding your skills, run away. These people do not deserve your time or talent.

[@edwardruiz5515]

Take advantage of ur youth cause ur only young at a special time in your life

[@Anon54387]

Even a 13 year old should have enough sense not to sign such a contract.

[@classicalteacher]

I would like to know how much recording labels lose from artists that don't "make it" and compare that to an artist that does. I wonder if 90% of the artists lost money for the label and only 10% made massive gains to offset the loses? Even with forcing artists to repay the labels initial investment it's possible that the artists declare bankruptcy to get out of their debt. I don't know. I'm just thankful my band broke up before we signed a deal with a producer decades ago after hearing these repeated horror stories.

[@kbb149]

There's no doubt that the music industry is one of the most exploitative, but signing a recording contract isn't comparable to starting a business in any normal/traditional sense. Consider the terms: They're loaning you a large sum of money that they can't legally/enforceably collect (provided you've separated yourself legally from the business). They don't check your credit or require a business plan. There are no required payments on the loan. They can't legally collect/garnish any money you earn through live performance (at least in the USA) or that you make from a part-time job. They can't take your publishing advance. So, compared to starting a laundromat, it's essentially risk free for an artist. Ironically, it is for the label, too. if you recoup, they profit wildly. If you don't, they can probably still write your debt off against taxes on the profits of their successful artists - they can't lose. Labels aren't cultural philanthropists - they're commercial art speculators. If dreams, emotions, vanity, etc. blind you to what that means, it's truly heartbreaking, but the same thing happens in casinos all day and night everyday.

[@andrewweatherhead4127]

The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men and women die like dogs. There's also a negative side. Hunter S. Thompson 🙄

[@crunchysteve]

Hunter S. for the win!

[@Grock66]

Pretty sure he said the movie industry

[@karlmacrae4878]

@@Grock66 It was the music industry.

[@ryanchrisxp]

Whatever Hunter S was referring to - movie or music industries - same difference. They both exist to exploit artists.

[@ralfklonowski3740]

@@andrewweatherhead4127 Exactly what crossed my mind while watching the video.

[@Lexy-O]

Another reason I support artists with CD 💿. We were way too quick and naive to abandon physical media. You cannot own a stream…

[@Diptera_Larvae]

Yep, I still buy all my music. It’s just typical Apple decided to ditch the cd drive and force the consumer to buy it as additional item.

[@bullseyecanada]

The music INDUSTRY abandoned physical media. As they did with vinyl before it.

[@TheNudeBrewer]

I still buy CDs because I love the art, liner notes, etc.

[@carpediemarts705]

Its hard to find a CD player now.

[@Lexy-O]

@ all blu ray and 4K blu ray players play CDs

[@BigBandelero]

It’s disgusting. Go completely independent, stay creative, and live a regular life.

[@williamlangeii4012]

Yep. Everyone thinks you write and song and a Brinks truck shows up.

[@marcusdavey9747]

You can’t be independent from your potential customer’s wallets and still live! If you mean micro-marketing, that’s hard work too.

[@bigseanprice]

like the white stripes and tech n9ne! they in the millions! rain down!

[@ASTROMEGA]

That's exactly what I do!

[@eyesuckle]

By which you mean a regular impoverished life.

[@thisisaviva]

Not just a $500,000 advance it’s at an 80-85% interest rate, to recoup she needs to make over $2million dollars just to break even and only then she might get her 20% 🤯😱 but to stop the artists getting paid any royalties they keep adding expenses to their initial advance. I have said NO to multi million dollar deals over the past 8 years, I kept all of my masters and released completely independently and make 100% of my royalties paid directly into my account weekly, with billions of streams now under my belt, if I can do it anyone can!!! Focus on your fans not the industry x

[@michaelmusterer7066]

How do you know that the interest rate is that much

[@DavidHarry]

There is no interest rate, it's not a loan, it's an advance in lieu of future earnings. If the artist did not make any money at all from the releases during the contract period, they don't have to give it back and the artist is then released from the contract. Unless they are re-signed with a new advance for a new recording commitment or they dropped from their contract and free to find a new deal or self release. This does not mean that a typical major recording contract isn't horrendous, it absolutely is and is one of the most biased and one sided legal contracts any individual or group of individuals can enter into. However, and to be clear, there is no loan or interest being paid by the artist.

[@ericshell1195]

You don't know what interest is.

[@mistersniffer6838]

@@DavidHarry - It is def a repayable debt, but, what the terms are, average Joe doesnt know. Seems to be a non-disclosure contract involved on top of it.

[@Arkansya]

​@@DavidHarryan advance is absolutely the core definition of a loan.

[@SighDown]

I worked at a major record label where I became aware of these onerous contracts, and eventually, I was offered a record deal at this label. Unfortunately for them, because of what I’d learned, there was no way I was ever gonna sign that deal.

[@cliffberry]

This is not just music. I worked on a passion project with a few friends in the film world and we made a 90 minute drama that was picked up by a film distributor for a 50/50 deal straight to DVD. However, our 50% also covered P&E (basically DVD physical copies and advertising) which was advanced and have to be paid back. We made this film out of our pocket and prepped it for DVD release. They just made the copies and they did only one thing which was edit a trailer for 'marketing'. They I totally understand that this costs money but after 10 years, we made them over million dollars in physical copies and they added, without permission, our film to their streaming service and we received $0 toward our 50%. They claimed they were constantly marketing the film and never did but billed us for it. Hollywood math was built by the same people that came up with music math. Self release, self promote is the only option these days.

[@yarbgreat1]

Doordash be having ppl delivering food for $3 while they take another 3 for themselves😂. Ppl out here ruining their cars, paying insurance, and risking their lives while an app ran by A.I takes 50%.

[@MrRFasters]

SEW them! Judges can help you out here. it's entirely logical a new media format, which DID nOT exist when you signed, CAN NOT EVER be considered part of the contract. Any good lawyer should be able to get you at least 50% of those millions in the aftermath. I think laywers will accept this on a healthy no-cure-no=pay basis.

[@cliffberry]

@@MrRFasters The director and producer signed the contract so I don't have a standing to file the suit. They were hopeful that our second/ third film would be picked up by them with an upfront payment so they tried to stay on good terms. Unfortunately, they passed on our second film and we never were able to finance the 3rd. By that time it was already a sunk cost and I don't really think it made money streaming because there platform is not big. We found out later that the company had done this to many indie films and used the money they made to release their own projects. In the end, it was lesson in hard knocks but at least I didn't quit my day job to work on these projects... so I am only out time and some money that I put up for the first film.

[@MrRFasters]

@@cliffberry Your standing to file the suit is to illustrate that you have been misguided in the initial deal and they are making money out of it in ways you did not agree upon nor give your consent for. The rules of copyright do apply here. It s valid if you did not sell your ipo. And you can make a fair claim on the value being made stems from your intellectual property and thus remains yours, so the original deal made (50/50) also holds for other channels to foster.

[@cliffberry]

@@MrRFasters Its about 10 years too late at this point. We have the rights back at this point.

[@SherryCothran]

I was on Mercury Records, NY, back in the late 90's, and it was the same way then. We exchanged a very lucrative and successful cottage industry as indie artists, with a #1 single on rock radio that we had secured with all of our hard work for a major label deal that ripped us of our touring and sales income while crippling us with debt. I ended up leaving the music industry altogether never to look back.

[@Varonno]

Spotify is cancer to music. All the big streamers. The >3000 seat venues are all locked up by the conglomerates. Most big big artists have sold their catalogs. Sell your own music and don’t give up any publishing

[@alexanderbreeding1830]

I recorded with several groups in the late 90's and early 2000s. We were good, but not great; good enough that we started getting sniffed about a bit. We were in the "Christian contemporary" space and so thought we would be spared the "normal" bad for artists business model. Best I can tell, there's very little difference and what makes it worse is that they all claim to be Christians. Nope, we all quit. Not one of the people I worked with then has anything to do with the "music business". A friend of mine and I still write, and that's the only thing I can imagine doing for "music" again. I write because I have to, not for anyone else.

[@WhiteCamry]

What was your #1 single?

[@SteveConkie-t6r]

And it was allowed to happen. This is the point. It is allowed to happen. Musicians are treated like serfs and it is totally legal.

[@ghostnote-6]

​@@WhiteCamrylooking up her name, it was probably "Drive Me Home" by The Evinrudes. Great song and great voice! I'll be checking out more of her music 🎶

[@gdn101]

Music-making is the best of us. The music industry is the worst of us. All inequity festers in silence and grows in the dark. Thank you, Mary, for adding your voice and shining your light.

[@mrstumpyninja]

A friend of mine was hired by a label to help an up-and-coming indie band with their 'image'. After they played their first gig for the big boys in the industry she went backstage to see the band. She couldn't get past security. Turns out that the label hadn't any use for her anymore, so summarily, and without notice banned her from seeing them. A photographer she knew offered her services to the same label, did the shoot, and was then told that she wasn't getting paid, but in lieu of payment they would give her a credit instead. That is common practice across all creative industries and it's wholly repulsive. Unfortunately, the people at the top only care about money. They buy art because it's an investment, not for it's beauty. They probably don't even listen to music. They see artists as dispensable commodities.

[@freesk8]

Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far...

[@preachercaine]

by the way, which one's Pink?

[@freesk8]

@@preachercaine But if we tell you the name of the game, boys... we call it riding the gravy train...

[@sabrinamariamusic]

It’s called child abuse! Thank you for raising this issue Mary!

[@Haroun-El-Poussah]

And also slavery !!

[@edgarwalk5637]

@@Haroun-El-Poussah Specifically indentured servitude. There is a case to be had.

[@kbb149]

@@Haroun-El-Poussah voluntary $500k recording artist contracts are comparable to being held captive and branded under thread of hanging and/or lynching should you miraculously escape?

[@Haroun-El-Poussah]

@@kbb149 If I had have $500k a few months ago (now the place has been sold), I'd have bought the St.Thérèse church in St.Quentin, Yvelines, and built my recording facility inside. BTW, the place compares with AIR/Lyndhurst Hall building. A few years ago, Brendan Perry sold the Quivvy church for a mere €190,000... Even with all his gear out, by buying 2nd hand equipment, you don't need $300k to restart the place which has a highly gorgeous acoustics and improve the living space so settle in and permanently live in. The way to go is to be your own producer or you'll always get screwed. A way to get out of toxic contracts is to deliver live albums... Thus, I wasn't even willing to engage into a Fender or Ibanez [low level] endorsement when it was "offered" to me : these are the same kind of traps for suckers, although with lesser money involved... In the case of Mahalia, I'd scrutinize her parents lifestyle too! It happened to a baby-star in my country: actually, his parents stole all the money he made when he was 4-7yo... And it was very very big money...

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

Child like Michael Jackson is the prime example as victim. He spoke of evil record labels

[@101oldstuff]

Lots of empathy and compassion in this video, along with some reasoned anger. Great video.

[@vman1217]

Such an important video. The bakery analogy is so good because it really highlights just how ridiculous the industry is and how ludicrous the expectations that are placed on artists that get signed are. I think the DIY approach is the way to go nowadays and you're a perfect example of that! Keep up the amazing work Mary! 👌

[@KaukaKanakaMaoli]

Hi Mary! Glad to hear your "rant." I heard a slightly different one this past Sunday night, at the close of a live performance by the Mel Brown B3 Group, an incredible jazz ensemble based in Portland, OR. During their set, they went on a bit of a rant while introducing their CDs. They pointed out that the "younger generation" doesn’t know what a CD is, but emphasized that buying a CD is one way to directly support live music, rather than lining the pockets of big corporations who are screwing over musicians. They had four different CDs for sale, and I ended up buying one of each. I make it a point to buy CDs directly from musicians whenever I see them selling their work, and I attend live performances as often as possible. Earlier in life, I was a professional musician, doing session work by day and performing four-hour gigs six nights a week for two years during a break from college. Though I’m a physician now, my experience as a musician has given me a deep appreciation for the unwavering devotion and sacrifices that true artists make in their craft.

[@StaceJohnson]

Mary, this problem is not only in the music industry. It's endemic throughout the creative industry. Big publishing contracts in the writing world are just as unfair and predatory. The only path forward that is fair to artists, musicians, and writers is the independent path, or working with small independent presses, labels, or galleries that offer fair contracts.

[@guesswhosbackg6616]

I agree😢

[@stuartd9741]

Trevor Baylis The designer of the wind up radio in the 90s, signed a contract with investors to allow his design to go commercial. (After his wind up radio appeared in tomorrow's world). It did, but he claims he only received 250,000.. ... The investors took the rest.

[@Arkansya]

it happens in any field with a big power imbalance

[@Arkansya]

what labels do to artists with production fees and hidden loans is what crop and tractor corporations do to farmers in the US, UK and EU

[@thecatofnineswords]

Writers today on average receive the same dollar value per word as writers of 100 years ago. This is outside of inflation, literally the same dollars-per-word as authors of the early 20th century. That breaks my brain.

[@maramé.r]

Well said. A justified rant. This is quite despicable and really amounts to exploitation and abuse. A similar situation appears to exist for K-Pop and J-Pop artists. Their lives are run by their managers/labels and the suicide rate and mental health impact on young musicians is scandalous and lamentable

[@bullseyecanada]

The entertainment industry is the business of exploitation. Turning a human commodity into cash. The labels are the pimps. The singers/musicians, their prostitutes.

[@frankthebaldguy9819]

Major labels are the devil

[@patrick5301]

They can't be the devil. It is up to the artist to reject those means of growth. As soon as the artist ascribes value to growth through throwing money at music and is willing to gift away parts of their music to said label in return, there isn't much to complain about. Remember: Growth can only be a means to an end, not the end in of itself

[@ccrider8483]

Yeah, checkout John Fogerty from CCR. He got screwed big time.

[@HighlightsVideoBlog]

@@ccrider8483 Then he screwed his band mates out of any royalties.

[@george.vasilev.reyner1916]

@@patrick5301 did you watch the video?

[@patrick5301]

@@george.vasilev.reyner1916 i sure did

[@davidsant5729]

Brilliant, and as always...Spot On.

[@MangoldProject]

Children cannot sign agreements, parents can. The loan is not given to the child, it is given to the parents. The parents in fact should be at partial blame here, for signing away their child's future. One wonders whether a parent should even be able to legally do so.

[@perezfecto]

We're all monday morning quaterbacks. It's easy. Truth is most adults don't know what they're signing up for either, because legal jargon is so arcane. Anyone would sign a contract with a major label because it sounds big, life-changing and we assume it's necessary to take a career to the next level: "after all, every major pop star did it".

[@MangoldProject]

@@perezfecto No, sane parents who look after their child don't sign multi-year contracts with large companies on their behalf without consulting a lawyer first. Regardless, as I've said, there should likely be a time limit on this and any such contract should likely be void at 18 when the child enters adulthood and should be able to make their own decisions.

[@DaveTheRave-sd9yc]

On the same theme "If you don't own your masters, your master owns you. The industry is like a delivery man-they shouldn't have control of the package once they've delivered it." - Prince

[@robertmyers6518]

Definitely keep up the pressure on this issue. Absolutely. Especially salient is how expensive lawyers are and how necessary they are to understanding contract law, and having someone on your side who can figure out if you've been forked or not.

[@hershellumiere]

This isn’t weird at all, this is cold blooded predation of a child.

[@TartempionLampion]

It's called capitalism. Human/child exploitation to get revenue for shareholders.

[@StonerWatchproductions]

No it's not, it's just the music business, this happens to almost all new artists. Which is a result of iTunes, Spotify n other online services. I totally agree it's not right n needs to be changed

[@RCAvhstape]

Show business has always been seedy and filthy. The current story with Diddy is just another in a long line of stories.

[@jmeakin4]

​@StonerWatchproductions - These issues with the hot mess that's what remains of the music industry existed well before iTunes, Spotify, or even Napster. Musicians without an agent like Peter Grant have been shafted by many (most?) people filling non-creative roles in the industry since the first recordings. While making a decent income as any musician is a ridiculous challenge because of the regularly underhanded ways of this dysfunctional industry, the fact a kid's the one getting the shaft this time makes it even worse. With the effects of streaming now adding to those of the industry's self-destructive old ways of doing business, success being a professional musician nowadays becomes even more unlikely. With advances like ProTools and social media, many middle-men now can be cut out of the picture, which can help, but how to effectively monetize musical efforts now has yet to be figured out.

[@BertieOtto]

Thanks

[@eternalcustomchannel]

I session with a band who wanted to release their first single. I suggested going independent, they seemed fixated on a label. Anyway, they got a GOOD deal. They paid the label 5000 South African Rands to publish the song for them...which the label did. And then sent the guys a login to Vidia's dashboard so they can manage their own release etc etc. ... So the label took R5k from some struggling musicians, and did the exact same thing I do for my few hundred bucks a year through DistroKid, and did NOTHING else for the band. They didn't sign the guys as the production wasn't to their liking, and now the label is telling them in order to keep all your eggs in the basket you must continue releasing through the same channels, which they want R1000 a pop for...when I can publish as much as I like through DistroKid for instance...So even when it's a good deal, it's bad deal to get suits involved. That band now needs to earn an extra few grand more than me of their releases before they can actually start counting a profit, and it takes them the exact same amount of work because the label has offered them no help at all.

[@StudioLodge]

I begrudge no one making a profit. That being said; The current music industry business profit model is based on greed. It's not a handshake. It's a choke-hold.

[@SynnUnsworth]

this is definitely something i've always tried to make sure my daughter understands, after seeing X-factor contracts when I was in college and seeing things along the lines of "if you perform an original song during auditions *insert company name* now owns the song", "never allowed to perform it anywhere in the universe" (memory is fuzzy on actual wording but it was disgustingly worded) it really put how predatory the big companies actually are, I had already decided at the time I'd prefer to try and do things on my own but that really cemented it, so I always tell my daughter to be extra cautious and to use that old phrase "if something seems too good to be true it probably is" check everything twice and then twice more before signing anything, and absolutely never do business if you've had anything alcoholic to drink... ever... if they don't want to talk to you about it when you're sober, it's probably not going in your favour

[@dewardroy6531]

I agree except for your use of the word “probably.”

[@chuckschillingvideos]

If you can't afford an attorney to do your negotiations for you, then you have no business signing anything. It really isn't complicated.

[@SynnUnsworth]

@chuckschillingvideos not sure I agree with that.... If I can afford one? sure, but if I can't I don't deserve the opportunity?? That makes it seem a very "if you're rich you can play" type deal. there are many reasons people can't afford an attorney, that shouldn't outright eliminate them from signing a contract if they want to, I agree that they should be even more cautious, and to pedantic levels, question everything you aren't sure of type thing, but not being able to afford the attorney to negotiate on your behalf shouldn't be the reason.

[@AndrewMilnerMusic]

Wow, that bakery analogy was incredible. I was never interested in getting signed to a label for all the reasons you mentioned and more, but I absolutely adored how you put that into words.

[@TinLeadHammer]

Baker sells pastries, customers pay for each pastry. Baker does not collect royalties for his pastries if past customers liked them, he needs to make more pastries. So the analogy is bad. Music industry wants to collect money indefinitely for something made just once. To me, it is not fair.

[@neuronist]

Thank you for bringing this up. What labels do is the worst kind of criminal activity. I still don’t understand how this is legal. I‘ve seen already in the 90s how this works because how such a major label **** up my sister. It’s just horrible how this works. Don’t sign with them ever for any reason whatsoever.

[@joaocalladomusico]

Very important issues. Thanks for speaking up!

[@christopherhealey8807]

Love the anger. You are right this is wrong and they know it.

[@FrankD-t5i]

So well spoken and talented. You rock Mary.

[@thestevenjaywaymusic7775]

Let’s be honest here. The whole thing is about corporate greed. It is so prevalent in the music industry, but in the world. Sometimes, I am ashamed to be a human being….oh, wait, I mean, I am always ashamed to be a human being! Do it yourself and f..k the record industry. Making less money, is better than making no money!

[@MayaSalila]

Yes!

[@lipsterman1]

Or in the cases mentioned, LOSING money.

[@treetopjones737]

@@lipsterman1 Just the other year John Fogerty FINALLY got ownership of his own songs he created decades ago.

[@TroyNaumu808]

Yeet!

[@SeekerGoOn2013]

Greed has no borders. People sign these contracts because they want to be rich and famous. Ca-ching $$!

[@carolynshulman]

Thank you so much for bringing attention to this very important issue. The vast majority of people have no idea what happens in the music industry or how difficult labels, streaming platforms, etc make it for songwriters and artists to make a living with their music. And, your points regarding how under-age artists, especially girls, get manipulated and taken advantage of are really crucial.

[@nicolasalizadeh1313]

Bedankt

[@andygrant8915]

Fantastic video Mary! May this be the go to resource for all young aspiring talent. If artists stop signing these crazy deals, then the deals will inevitably improve.

[@andrelacourse]

I would hope big artists like Ed Sheeran or Elton John come out publicly and support your rant and raise awareness of this child abuse.

[@stuartd9741]

It is interesting that this artist was mentioned by ED Sheeran , and If by magic, a label offers a contract.. .. Maybe Ed should have guided her a little better through the record industry? Being so young.

[@GM-qz9fo]

Mr Sheeran is not who you think he is. Do not be fooled. Sharks out here!!! Be aware.

[@ArifGhostwriter]

​@@stuartd9741Or maybe we live long enough to see that ES was what those exploitative monsters look like in their youth, in their making.

[@KiddiAgnars]

your best video yet. Having been in this industry for over 24 years now, touring the world and working with artists of all ages and success, I 100% agree with everything you say here. It's a predatory business for the most part.

[@Broadsword999]

Which is one of the points Prince made by changing his name and sacking his label.

[@JamiePayne28]

Great video, well said. Its absolutely horrific how artists are treated by the industry in general...but underage artists being completely robbed is just unforgivable.

[@DavidMelton2532]

Your perspectives are always well thought out and very illuminating as well as from the heart. Keep it up!

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

True dat, Miss Spender! Thats why we love you the way we do!

[@crunchysteve]

Yep, I'll second that motion ❤

[@MotifMusicStudios]

You are raising ESSENTIAL awareness for this malpractice. Appreciate your research and thoughts on this topic.

[@MotifMusicStudios]

"no mics were harmed in the making of this video."

[@kellykent131]

Mary Great video. I’ve been aware for a long time that the record industry screws over their artists. But the way you just explained it makes it crystal clear to me in a way that I’ve never understood before. I watched the documentary on Chuck Berry called hail hail, rock ‘n’ roll. Check was talking with little Richard and Bo Diddley were one of them said they had to sell two records just to make a penny. The dead that modern artist take on by these crappy contracts makes Bo Chuck and Richard seem like they were swimming and money. I think Congress should get involved with us or at least the state legislature from the states that these companies run their business. There needs to be some serious accountability..

[@alexberloffe]

Glad to get to know you and your channel, Mary. I feel sad knowing about this story. Learned a lot from your video. Thanks 🙏

[@xraycreative741]

You know, it everything i already knew, but to hear your straight truth output - wow. Just wow. Great stuff, Mary. Thank you.

[@alanpettibone]

It’s not “weird”… it is criminal.

[@robertjary2470]

And sadly typical

[@jsharp3165]

She can't say that without hearing from their lawyers.

[@leftwrite]

Great rant! This proves the point that in today's "music industry" you are better off being independent. The number of artists big enough to get any benefit from a major label is miniscule. I know it is extremely hard, what you are currently doing and sustain your career, but at least you are in control of your art and your decisions. This seems a much healthier way to pursue your music career.

[@givingin2G4Courtz]

The other side of this problem is the fact that the owners of these labels also own the ticketing, venues, and most of the rest of what is needed to go on tour of the big venues. For an indie rock band to make income, they must be heard and they must get paid more than their costs to make and share their music.

[@TheStuport]

The "reasons and excuses" that the Music Label Big Wigs give in response to these "Contracts" are absolutely bullchit. This type of business literally makes the Artists Hostages to the Music Companies. I'm not the least surprised either.

[@helmutb.2700]

Brilliant analytical skills. Thank you for your very clear words which hopefully create a better awareness of these issues

[@southernflight1]

Mary you are the best. I never tire of seeing your recent videos. Take Care and Happy Holidays!! Thanks, DS

[@chambre466]

Good thing you re talking about this. Things must change

[@RobertSmith-dz4kr]

I grew up in a musical family - four generations of musicians. As a singer and a prodigy particularly on stringed instruments my mother toured with Bing Crtosby and others as a teenager. She had an agent in Hollywood at 13 managed a career even as a headliner in Vegas without drugs, alcohol etc. Part of her infrastructure was a family of musicians each dealing with varied aspects of being in the business, which alas included poverty, suicide, abandonment of music and the lessons learned beyond playing with Any Williams, Glen Campbell, Wayne Newton and so on. But my youth was 'on tour', i went to 15 schools and left home at 15 to get out of that environment, because the industry you describe affects a lot of other things like relationships with family, friends and so on. This story is sad, but as an industry goes beyond the incandescence of shooting stars flaming out. My mother was proud not so much of her musicianship, but of being an entertainer. Shre was proud she made a living in music her entire life, sometimes a pretty good living other times not. She is now 95 and last time I checked was still in the Musicians Union. The point is that the system you describe is one which has systematically dismantled all the forms of infrastructure that allowed my mother to grow as a person, musician and entertainer. They prey on not only the artists, but the gullible nature of their fan's idolotry. I've watched your thoughtful passage as you've grown on your channel, especially liked the behind the scenes stuff, and pieces like analysing 'Operator' with Rick Beato. Well done. But I like your advocacy role even more. Bob👍

[@williamlangeii4012]

Love The Cure, Robert!! 😅😅

[@chrismay9030]

“You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. At Peter don’t you call me, cause I can’t go. I sold my soul to the company store” When the company sets the prices for everything they charge you for to make a living, you will never exit your indentured servitude

[@edryba4867]

Frank Zappa was once on a pair of record labels he ostensibly owned, but were distributed by Warner Bros. Records. There’s a photo of Frank wearing a T-shirt with the WB “shield” logo (the one at the beginnings of “Looney Tunes” & “Merrie Melodies” cartoons, and the word “SUCKS” directly below it.

[@SaamanSei]

Damn! Thanks for speaking out! Your point of view is so right!

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Beautifully spoken.

[@johnymodem1326]

Who said slavery was dead? "If you cannot mine the Gold, then you mine the miners!". Shell only charges Nigeria 15% of profit for getting them their oil!

[@mangiblotarinawabag4964]

I guess you think it costs nothing to mine resources and provide expertise.

[@johnymodem1326]

Not what was said. During the gold rush the people that made the most were not the miners but the people selling to the miners. Hence... If you can't mine the gold you mine the miners!

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

Shouldn't it be illegal to make such contracts, especially with children artists or their caretakers.

[@hammill444]

We’re they forced to sign on the dotted line?

[@MeriaDuck]

​@@hammill444why does that matter

[@Kit2Canada]

Swimming with sharks

[@hammill444]

@@MeriaDuck Uh, what? Of course it matters.

[@Esus4]

The rule is that a minor may just void the contract. But apparently there is an exception: "The first rule concerns contracts relating to entertainment or sports. If a minor enters into an entertainment or sports contract, this would not be voidable at will. Any contracts for necessities, such as services and goods that are necessary to the safety and health of minors, can't be voided at will. Examples of necessities include shelter or lodging, clothing, and food. In some cases, a motorcycle or automobile could be classified as a necessity."

[@tony.worswick]

I thought everyone knew how major labels work when they sign an artist ...obviously not

[@Rick_Cleland]

They're the Devil! *THE DEVIL!!*

[@parallelworldsguy]

I had no idea about this. I knew the labels were exploitative but not on this level.

[@Greg-v9p]

The record companies exchangible commodity is fame and status. Who expects to step into any situation and be handed the keys to the kingdom. Perhaps Mary does...

[@1funkyangel]

Tell it like it is Mary !! Thank you for speaking out !

[@roymckown7763]

Bravo Mary! Thank you for speaking out, speaking your mind & speaking the TRUTH!

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

I agree completely.... Thank you for speaking out. I release my own music on my own label... I release thru #tunecore and we dont make a thing... maybe someday long after I am gone.. my family will make something from my creation. Its the best I can hope for. If you are near Seattle and need a keyboard on your next record... let me know..

[@blah1632]

a contract signed by a 13-year-old should not be legally enforceable.

[@marcusdavey9747]

I’m sure the contract was approved by a parent/guardian, but how would they know what was a good deal? A lot of successful acts had family/friends/connections in the entertainment business, it’s not just coincidence!

[@aireoteddy]

@@marcusdavey9747 Both sides of the contract act with greed. The artists (in this case, her parents on her behalf) only cared about the money they thought she could make and willingly accepted the horrible terms of the contract.

[@69spook]

It's not. Her guardian or parents must have signed.

[@albaker2780]

Very valuable - thank you for the rant. Well stated.

[@wernertschan320]

Interesting information. Thank you Mary!❤

[@creature_nz]

Thanks Mary, not a rant! A really insightful and thoughtful commentary. Powerful and empathic. Thank you for your wise words. Keep the magic.

[@joshellyson]

So very, very glad you are angry. We all should be. This kind of greed kills not only a musician's career, but for many, could squash their very souls. Thank you for calling out this tragedy.

[@ApolloSuns]

You nailed it! I think the slow burn of growing consistently over many years is beneficial. The major label industry is so predatory.....

[@bradleyolinger1691]

Back in the 80s and 90s(yep, dating myself), the industry might have been worth working with a label, but in modern times, the old model is outdated. The old rules, including ageism, no longer apply, and labels need to change. They offer little that artists can’t do for themselves.

[@guesswhosbackg6616]

George micheal wanted to leave sony but lost😢 artists need to be careful signing these devil contracts. The only smart ones are the olsen twins. Damn those young women knew the business❤

[@bradleyolinger1691]

@@guesswhosbackg6616, actors actually have a lot more protections than musicians. Up until the early 2000s, you couldn’t really get widespread exposure as an indie artist because the labels were the gatekeepers for the most part. The digital revolution flipped everything on its head to where now pretty much most artists shy of the Taylor Swifts and Beyonces of the world are on a relatively equal footing. I just do my acting and weird rock thing and hope people like what my soul has to offer.

[@stuartd9741]

​@@guesswhosbackg6616 I was going to mention George Michael. .. He refused to do a music video for the song _Freedom_ While in dispute with his label...

[@antoniodalfonso]

brilliant and honest, Ms Spender! Auguri! Bravo!

[@bryanedington5968]

Thank you Mary for this eye opening video. It makes me feel good about the choices I've made instead of chasing a dream that turns into a nightmare for many who supposedly "Make It".

[@KevinDavyWhite]

Mic drop was definitely the case. So true. After X-Factor, I decided to move at my own pace. No big contracts or crazy money-I knew I’d lose myself in all of that. I prefer the long ride with people who truly care about me.

[@stuartd9741]

A mate of mine's cousin. Won stars in their eyes in the mid 90s.. .. he did quite well out of it for about 3/4 years..

[@MarySpender]

Excellent decision.

[@RocketKirchner]

“ and they devil tempted Jesus in the desert but he resisted “. Resist ! Refuse ! Don’t get anywhere near the music big boys . I started my label in 1983 with a small loan and perform to this day with 41 records out of my stuff . At age 70 I still make a living as a musician .

[@colinmendelowitz249]

Brilliant commentary as always. Keep on trucking. ☺️

[@glimpsesoftexas3955]

Good for you Mary !!!

[@auslanderbassmusic]

In '97 we were first time in a studio. Unfortunately, we've recorded only one song (label was paying), but then they gave me a paper to sign - "everything is nice and great, but the recording and all after releasing it in public and any earnings are their and if we want to play it live or something, we need to ask, etc" I was shocked. I mean, I was 18 and first time had an opportunity for such thing, but it was a major downer. It passed years till I got money to go into a studio and do it on my own - and that was a big turn around. That studio was working with totally different equipment. It turned out - I have almost the same equipment at home, but never knew how to use it in that way. That's when I started my bedroom studio and made over 200 songs over the years. I made very little money, but it got me places, it got me jobs, it got me friendships and most important - it kept my inspiration!

[@ptsoren42]

Great post. Really terrible business practices.

[@Dave_Mayberry]

Labels are venture (vulture?) capitalists now. In 1980, Warners signed my band to a 3 album, $900+K deal…After 2 years, we were sold to A & M, who dropped us on the road the day the contract expired, almost a h@LF million in debt. They released all but the lead singer, and the lead guitarist (me), from the contract. After a few sessions and auditions, I went back to a proper job…Ending my “career” in “show business”. P.S. NONE of our masters were ever released. Our lawyer said it’s commonly known as a front load contract, and warned us that this would probably happen. We were so sure our music was so good, they’d want to release it. Nope, they put us on the road as an opening act, and wrote off our entire contract (plus tour costs), on their taxes…They had two places at the feed trough (Us)…🙄🤬

[@Paul_Wetor]

That's heartbreaking. Bad enough to be signed and have an album fail, but even worse to not have it released at all.

[@artisans8521]

Happend to Raye....here carreer was on hold for 10 years.

[@rudel1950]

Thank you Mary,... a real eyeopener and an area that is greatly overlooked by both parents and society in general.

[@pikeyMcBarkin]

Thanks for sharing this Mary, bringing much needed light to this predatory industry.

[@mw21ray]

Glad to hear that the mic was not harmed. I feel that you shedding light on this subject is important. I am someone who plays locally and solo but have seen my own bit of local fame. Ive been a needy and overly sharing fan, Ive been on the receiving end of that to an extent. Ive pondered the ins and outs of the music industry and I hate how scummy it is but I also love the passion of the artist that feels the need to share and express. What a double-edged sword it can be. My old band had an A&R guy talk to us, he said "lets make some money" We didn't go for it. We thought about it and wanted to do things our way and we through his card in the trash. I still wonder about the door that we closed maybe a little too soon but "Lets make some money" was never our mantra nor our goal. We loved playing live and being creative the rest was just what it was.

[@-KingOfKhaos]

Major labels obviously rob from their artists, that’s well known. But in the case of a 13 year old, we have to ask where the parents were in all of this? Example: I have a few family members in a film industry, and two are under age 18. We scrutinize their contracts thoroughly and have turned down roles where the production company seeks to limit earnings from social media or future placements. There is nothing wrong with turning away from a contract that is bad.

[@noahhuerta8744]

THIS is why I'm subscribed to you, Mary. You're spreading important information that young people like me need to know, musicians or not. I'm also sick of this abuse happening to older artists too. Exposing the music industry and the labels is the first step. THANK YOU

[@MotoMarios]

Investment means taking risks. If the risk is moved on to someone else but the profits are always there, it's got a name and it's called blackmail.

[@thecatofnineswords]

Or extortion. Or slavery. but because it's wrapped up in a contract, it's legalised slavery.

[@flickwtchr]

You are a very good communicator, and I really appreciate your expression of indignation at the injustices you cite.

[@just-groove-it-records]

Thank you, finally some common sense...it's rare these days...live long and prosper!

[@allenshively6374]

Someone like you needs to form a music company that shows that you can be profitable and still treat the artists fairly !

[@patrick5301]

Fairness outside of what both parties agreed upon definitonally can't exist. You go wrong when you suggest another company, just a bit different, ideologically driven, acting outside their best interest, seeking profits through ownership as well for but a short time period, before it then either fails or gets handed over to other people eventually. The responsibility is with the artist to reject growth through financial means. You'd otherwise be doing the exact same as the label.

[@jamesdragonforce]

Good luck doing that under capitalism.

[@unaperrson]

How could she agree to sign a record deal at thirteen - still a minor - that is child labour, and totally unacceptable. Did her parents agree to it know the terms of the agreement?

[@MattSwain1]

There’s a big difference between seeing the terms of a contract and understanding what it will mean in the future. I have to assume that her parents were dazzled by big numbers and signed - as most people probably would. I’m sure they were told it was standard and that there was nothing to worry about rather than being told here is a crippling debt for the rest of your life. It would be interesting if some lawyers followed this up in the same way they pursued the banks for mis-selling loans and bank accounts

[@MaxWeninger]

ofc her parents had to agree - she is not a legal person at this age

[@jbramblett]

I'm sure there was a lawyer involved somewhere too that they gave power of attorney to

[@markhammer643]

NOT a rant, but a rational and compassionate argument for change. I don't say this to "blame the victim", but I don't think it is any secret that the entertainment industry (and this is essentially all performing arts including acting as well as music, ) thrives on attracting (and misusing) people who may have impulse-control issues. It's why so many can have rocky personal lives, failed marriages, substance abuse issues, suicide attempts, "freak-offs", and more. Certainly not ALL performers fall into that category, but the performing arts hold a disproportionately higher share, compared to say, library science, biomedical research, and accounting. The industry's treatment of those it promotes CAN, in fact, exacerbate any risk their artists are predisposed to. All the more reason for the industry to be ashamed.

[@Greg-v9p]

Thankyou good sir for this alternate perspective. Oftentimes Mary falls too easily for the young helpless victim position. What percentage of aspiring artists do people actually believe fall into this trap? Live by the sword...

[@zephyrkhambatta]

2:51 we wouldn't. That's why we're independent (many of us even IF major labels have approached us).

[@kentandersonrocks]

Tom Petty was in a similar situation, and wanted to break the contract, so he declared bankruptcy based on the fact that he was in debt, and that allowed him to shed the contract and sign a new one.

[@timjohnson3877]

Love the bakery analogy. Truly disgusting, egregious practices that would never fly in other business contexts. These labels seem completely comfortable distancing themselves from even the most basic ethical considerations. DEFINITELY worth a mic drop

[@jaspermcjasper3672]

For a long time now there have been laws preventing juvenile actors from being signed into such share-cropping/"Company Store" systems. Why isn't this true of juvenile musicians? (I know why: because movie-companies just lost their battle against such laws being enacted, while record-companies studied those defeats and honed their strategies to keep law-makers in their hip pockets and scuttle such laws before they're even drafted.)

[@keithdukavicius7626]

So well put. Thank you.

[@dougmiller9567]

Excellent advice Mary...keep up the fight.

[@TroyNaumu808]

The worst part of the music industry is the industry part of it which is greedy, evil and corrupt.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

You can't have an industry without it being an industry.

[@pcread]

The excellent Scottish TV series The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star (1998) pretty much showed the con that is the record industry. It's actually here on YT. Hilarious and sobering.

[@fakshen1973]

Who the hell takes out a half million pound advance? When you say that you haven't made a dime yet they've cut you a check upfront for that amount. No... you went all payday loan from the get-go and now complaining that you're broke? The best I would do for her in a court is to terminate the contract. She is relieved of all debt and the label keeps all future revenue from all of her existing catalog recorded. Straddling a 13 year old with that amount of debt is wrong and I blame her parents or guardians on that. It's exploitative to sign children up for that level of debt.

[@davidwestonline]

You just write something here to vent, right? You didn't watch the video, aren't you? LOL

[@Dead_Posey]

And if an artist does eventually repay their advance etc they have to be on top of receiving their payments from a label or publisher that usually only do payouts every 3 to 6 months. In our case we’ve been paid late multiple times by our previous label who only pays us every 6 months. Now our pub company is late on our payments that we get paid every 3 months. Artists need a union to hold these companies accountable 💀

[@millman1991]

Mary, thank you for bringing this up. People need to be aware. 👍

[@thetexasbeachbum9929]

No way a 13 year old could sign that contract and it be enforceable. If in fact she was the only signature, now, she needs a lawyer and plans on what to do when she owns the company.

[@digitalslw]

Maybe UK laws are different, but that was my first thought. Another factor, is it can be enforceable if she doesn't decline the contract within a set time frame of turning 18.

[@vicpnut1]

Seems obvious to me her parents signed for her

[@guesswhosbackg6616]

Omg the parents should have hired a lawyer💔

[@gustavogutierrez5482]

This needs to be thoroughly investigated by government agencies that deal with child abuse, and also fiscal and commerce authorities. I also think she would have merits for suing the label. This is atrocious!

[@stuartd9741]

​@@gustavogutierrez5482this is. Nothing new. Remember the Beatles first record deal..90% to the label the rest to the band?