July 6th, 2009

Another day, another copyright infringment

There are few things we at Heist Or Hit dislike more than sending out email’s asking blogs/torrents/dodgy Russian sites to stop leaking our music. I have spent a good amount of time today doing a sweep to see what I could find and basically it’s people who don’t understand how releasing music works. Or more so think they have a right to take something for nothing. Let’s be totally honest with you, from time to time we download albums for free but our moral compass means we will go out and buy the album afterwards. Here’s a good example, I gave the new Horrors album a listen after all the praise it has been receiving. Fair enough, it’s great so I’m going to buy it soon, plus my brother will be getting it as a birthday present. Just because we can take something for nothing, does not mean we should. You can give it all the ‘major labels are scum of the earth’ spin as you like. Ultimately taking someones hard work for nothing is illegal and wrong. More so, what does it say of your appreciation of this art form. I know that LoveLikeFire and The Answering Machine have spent years learning their instruments, practicing, writing songs, channeling all their efforts into their music. Not only has money gone into recording these albums but hours of hard work.  But hey, if you can download the results in 10 minutes for free why shouldn’t you?! If anything we are getting less out of the music by having too much of a good thing. Remember when you had to save up for an album and it meant so much more to you? When you didn’t have a computer with a hundred new releases you can maybe give half a listen to as you are too busy? When you persisted with something and realised how great it was because you had spent time and energy and money buying it? Would I enjoy Neutral Milk Hotel as much as I do now had I just given it a casual download listen? No fucking way. Are they one of my favourite bands in the world as a result of the work I put into their music? 100% yes. Falco from Future Of The Left is a great man and put his point across well in this blog which is well worth reading. The Heist Or Hit Honesty Box is open now to help people put right their wrongs. Thanks a lot Heist Or Hit