Anarchist Musicians

[pm77]

How would a libertarian socialist record label be ran. What would be the stance on artist's rights vs. technicians rights.

[thelastindividual]

How would a libertarian socialist record label be ran. What would be the stance on artist's rights vs. technicians rights.

Why would we need record labels? I'd prefer if each artist managed their own affairs

[pm77]

Yeah, but each band would still set up a label in order to distribute their albums. So, the label would be directly owned by the band. However, you would still need at least a recording engineer. Then, of course, you have to design and produce album art. And, finally, you would have to embed the recorded music onto discs.

[thelastindividual]

Yeah, but each band would still set up a label in order to distribute their albums. So, the label would be directly owned by the band. However, you would still need at least a recording engineer. Then, of course, you have to design and produce album art. And, finally, you would have to embed the recorded music onto discs.

Interesting you should say that actually. I think Album art and physical medium might become redundant in the digital world. Who knows though? Vinyl's still clinging onto life

In any case advances in recording technology will certainly make the art of record making much easier. About 50 years ago you had to be signed with a huge corporation to cut a single. Now a garage band with a mic and some software can produce a half-decent demo for practically nothing

[Zazaban]

Album art will probably stay in quite a few cases, like with concept albums. Progressive rock was always big on using album artwork in innovative ways. I believe in a couple of Pink Floyd albums, there were puzzles hidden in the booklets. The first ARG was started by Pink Floyd in this way.

[pm77]

You know, I've been wondering whether or not it is even ethical to profit off of music. I mean in terms of libertarian socialism, at least. I'm sure more individualistic anarchists see no problem in it. However, I'm not quite sure it stands up to more collectivist forms (anarcho-syndicalism, anarcho-communism, libertarian municipalism.) If we were to measure a products worth based upon the amount of labor it took to produce, how would art in general be measured. It doesn't always require manual labor, and it really serves no practical purpose. In a collectivist anarchist society, whatever form it takes, would being an artist even be a viable career choice? Or, would it just become a hobby for those who hold "real" jobs?

[Zazaban]

So, in an anarchist society I'd be forced to do something I hate, and thus be miserable all my life? I'd rather live in a statist society where I'm allowed to be an artist than an anarchist one where I'm forced at gunpoint to preform 'real work'.

[pm77]

Well, I'm not really saying that. I'm just posing a question. I'm just curious as to where the artist fits into a libertarian socialist society. I'm not trying to criticize anything. It would help if someone who really understands libertarian socialism more would expound upon this issue. As a musician, I'm just curious. After all, we're not talking about top-down Marxist state socialism here.

[Zazaban]

Ah, then I apologize for reacting so strongly.

I tend to view art is more or less the most important part of human existence. It's what makes life interesting, it's what gives it meaning. A work centered around work would be inherently dull and boring. In what you proposed, for example, creativity would have very little worth, as opposed to blank utilitarianism. Not to mention the large amount of people, myself included, that would be forced to live out their lives in misery. I'd probably be driven to suicide.

I'm sorry, this isn't a very coherent post, but I find it hard to put into words. Creative pursuits are the only things I really would consider doing in life as a career (for lack of a better word), and to have it shoved aside as a 'hobby' offends the very core of my being.

[thelastindividual]

Ah, then I apologize for reacting so strongly.

I tend to view art is more or less the most important part of human existence. It's what makes life interesting, it's what gives it meaning. A work centered around work would be inherently dull and boring. In what you proposed, for example, creativity would have very little worth, as opposed to blank utilitarianism. Not to mention the large amount of people, myself included, that would be forced to live out their lives in misery. I'd probably be driven to suicide.

I'm sorry, this isn't a very coherent post, but I find it hard to put into words. Creative pursuits are the only things I really would consider doing in life as a career (for lack of a better word), and to have it shoved aside as a 'hobby' offends the very core of my being.

I once heard it said that art is any form of expression of emotion. So sure take away all the art if you like. Have fun living in a society full of mindless drones

[pm77]

My question is simply this: Where and how does the artist fit into a libertarian socialist society? Additionally, would an artist be able to financially support his/her self with their art? I'm only interested in answers that directly pertain to the specific anarchist strains of libertarian socialism, that is, anarcho-syndicalicm, anarcho-communism, and libertarian municipalism.

[Zazaban]

Most of those forms of anarchism tend not to support the existence of money. Finance does not really apply in such society.

[jack]

What would be the need for a stamping on artists rights and the like if there is no economic incentive to?

[FirePirate]

Profit off music is a big no-no for me. If I ever came to producing a record I would try and do it by myself and if necessary use professional freelance help and pay everyone depending on album sales, I think that's fair. Equal cuts don't sound too bad, I'm not greedy.

[Maggot]

Profit off music is a big no-no for me. If I ever came to producing a record I would try and do it by myself and if necessary use professional freelance help and pay everyone depending on album sales, I think that's fair. Equal cuts don't sound too bad, I'm not greedy.

If it were up to me, I'd give my music away for free. Just so long as nobody plagarises my work.