KVR Artist Appreciation Thread

[wagtunes]

Short and to the point.

The purpose of this thread is to showcase your favorite artists here at KVR.

Here are the rules.

1. List your favorite artists that post their music here. Try not to make the list too long unless you really have to. I think somewhere between 10 and 20 should be more than enough. Say a little something about each artist as to why you like them. It doesn't have to be long winded.

2. Each day (or whenever you feel like it) post ONE song of one of those artists. I'm sure they won't mind you linking to their work if they've already posted it here anyway. This will maybe give them more exposure and get their songs heard by most people.

********************************************************
Having said all that, here is my list.

Frank1985 - Does some really cool surf rock stuff. He is very meticulous with his arrangements, which are very interesting.

ChameleonMusic - If I'm not mistaken, he's either a music professor or teaches music or something. It shows. His stuff is so technically amazing. I'd love to take a music composition course with him.

Recursive One - Specializes in forms of Trance. Doesn't like when I brag about him but I love his stuff. I think his mixes are awesome. I know he works very hard on what he does and it shows.

Bansaw - Has got the Depeche Mode sound down cold. One of the better writers here as far as 80s pop goes. Wish he'd post more often.

Vurt - Doesn't compose conventional music but his modular stuff is fascinating to listen to. Never know what he's going to do next.

Frantz - Has that Human League sound down cold. His songs are super catchy and he has a female backup singer who is amazing. I feel like I'm back in the 80s listening to his stuff.

Allomerus - More progressive and unusual rock sounds. He brings me back to the 70s whenever I listen to his stuff. Always a treat.

Layzer - What this guy does with free synths is amazing. His mixes are clean and spacious. Would love to take a mixing course with him.

Aaron Aardvark - Reminds me of Joe Walsh vocally. Love his songs ranging from rock to synth pop. Too bad he only posts once a month.

Donkey Tugger - The Who, Pete Townsend. Need I say more? One of the best songwriters on this forum hands down. Hardly posts anything, which is a shame because he is truly special to listen to.

JonSolo - Quite literally changed my life when he taught me about arrangement. Doesn't post often but he is a master craftsman. Reminds me of the Beatles and Badfinger. How he's not a big star boggles my mind.

I decided to post this track by Frantz. Human League, eat your heart out.

https://soundcloud.com/fragilegods/fade-like-the-night

Okay folks, your turn. Let's make this the best thread in the KVR Music Cafe.

[wagtunes]

Today I'm posting something by JonSolo.

https://soundcloud.com/jonsolo/elephant-in-the-room

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
Just noticed this. Thank you for the positive words, I appreciate it! You are one of my favorites around here also. Over time on this forum, you have posted an incredible amount of high quality songs. Would be difficult to pick a favorite of yours. Cheers!

[Frantz]

Thanks for the recognition Wags.

Here are two more that haven't been mentioned yet:

htcnext2 - Posts a lot of varied material often with unexpected twists. Here's one from his Firn project:
https://soundcloud.com/user-604301675/firn-cold-soul

] Peter:H [ - Participates in a lot One Synth Challenges. An expert synth programmer who makes an enjoyable music. Here is a trance-y track he did using only Vital:
https://soundcloud.com/p-e-t-e-r-h/its- ... -signs-mix

[wagtunes]

wagtunes,
Just noticed this. Thank you for the positive words, I appreciate it! You are one of my favorites around here also. Over time on this forum, you have posted an incredible amount of high quality songs. Would be difficult to pick a favorite of yours. Cheers!

And it would be impossible to pick a favorite of yours. What have you got like 350 songs on Soundclick?

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
Thank you. I currently have 395 complete original song recordings (not as many as you, as you know); many of which I have not gone public with yet. I don't go public with songs anymore unless I have a formal U.S. copyright (I started that when Tom Robinson told me he was going to play one of my songs on the Radio BBC). I have yet to make any money with music that I have written (not that I have made much of an effort to do so), but I don't want to be kicking myself for the rest of my life if someone successfully rips off one of my tunes, even if that is unlikely.

[wagtunes]

wagtunes,
Thank you. I currently have 395 complete original song recordings (not as many as you, as you know); many of which I have not gone public with yet. I don't go public with songs anymore unless I have a formal U.S. copyright (I started that when Tom Robinson told me he was going to play one of my songs on the Radio BBC). I have yet to make any money with music that I have written (not that I have made much of an effort to do so), but I don't want to be kicking myself for the rest of my life if someone successfully rips off one of my tunes, even if that is unlikely.

I understand how you feel. Fortunately, I don't concern myself with people ripping off my work. Not that anyone has tried.

[ChameleonMusic]

wagtunes,
Thank you. I currently have 395 complete original song recordings (not as many as you, as you know); many of which I have not gone public with yet. I don't go public with songs anymore unless I have a formal U.S. copyright (I started that when Tom Robinson told me he was going to play one of my songs on the Radio BBC). I have yet to make any money with music that I have written (not that I have made much of an effort to do so), but I don't want to be kicking myself for the rest of my life if someone successfully rips off one of my tunes, even if that is unlikely.

Hi Aaron, I get your point here but I'm not sure I agree with it as someone who has made a steady, little trickle of money from my music across some 30+ countries now for over 25+ years.

I don't go public with songs anymore unless I have a formal U.S. copyright

There is no legal registration procedure for copyright in either the USA or UK; as long as your work qualifies for copyright by being original, it obtains protection as soon as it is in a permanent or fixed form...

For example - uploading it to Soundcloud, Spotify or a similar site where it will be date stamped is legally binding. Also - your DAW files showing that you created 'the piece' are compelling evidence of intellectual ownership.

NOTE: I have used the above defence on two occasions to get payments from media companies who used my music without permission...

I had date stamped uploads of the wav file on my storage drive + SC etc and also submitted examples of the ongoing DAW files for the pieces in question...they paid up almost immediately in each case without any need for court.

Of course you CAN register works for copyright purposes...most of my pieces (those specifically written for clients) I have done just that for 25 years now as a member of the PRS and MCPS in the UK, but I didn't have to do that...it's entirely voluntary.

Truth is if you 'put your music out in the world', someone is gonna use it inappropriately at some point...they can burn from my SC now if they want to at anytime...doesn't really bother me too much! I'm making money elsewhere from it and I would have to stop doing that and remove all my online content (some 1500 pieces) to make it entirely 'safe' offline as such.

I started that when Tom Robinson told me he was going to play one of my songs on the Radio BB

You could, of course, have claimed royalties on the performance or charged him a one - off fee!

[ChameleonMusic]

ChameleonMusic - If I'm not mistaken, he's either a music professor or teaches music or something. It shows. His stuff is so technically amazing. I'd love to take a music composition course with him.

I genuinely appreciate the kind words about my music, but I do need to put the record straight - rumours of my 'Music Professor' status need to be squashed!

Music / Music Technology Teacher (retired) (apart from slightly excessive advice on KVR) is fine!

[vurt]

appreciate the appreciation

ill throw a couple of old names in the mix.
normal
opia dream
jack dark.

current posters who are making interesting stuff to me would be
kenflo
jancivil
tomtom
eassae
opaque.

and you know i like your stuff too, is it always great, no, nor should it be. especially given how much you do
but i also enjoy watching the processes you've gone through, for the various albums, seeking out relevant techniques
i wish i was as organised and tenacious as you, id be the king of ambienta, which is what id name my kingdom

[wagtunes]

ChameleonMusic - If I'm not mistaken, he's either a music professor or teaches music or something. It shows. His stuff is so technically amazing. I'd love to take a music composition course with him.

I genuinely appreciate the kind words about my music, but I do need to put the record straight - rumours of my 'Music Professor' status need to be squashed!

Music / Music Technology Teacher (retired) (apart from slightly excessive advice on KVR) is fine!

Thank you for correcting me. Like I said, I wasn't sure. I knew you did something.

[wagtunes]

appreciate the appreciation

ill throw a couple of old names in the mix.
normal
opia dream
jack dark.

current posters who are making interesting stuff to me would be
kenflo
jancivil
tomtom
eassae
opaque.

and you know i like your stuff too, is it always great, no, nor should it be. especially given how much you do
but i also enjoy watching the processes you've gone through, for the various albums, seeking out relevant techniques
i wish i was as organised and tenacious as you, id be the king of ambienta, which is what id name my kingdom

Organized and tenacious is pretty much most of what I've got going for me. Talent is the one thing I could probably use a lot more of.

[aaron aardvark]

ChameleonMusic,
I hope you are correct. I am certainly not an expert on the topic, though I have heard the laws in the U.K. are different than the USA. For a long time, I did a "Poorman's Copyright" by sending myself a package (registered mail) with a sound recording (tape or CD) and copy of the lyrics. The last I heard, this stands up in court in the U.K., and not the USA. I have heard the argument before that as soon as you go public with a song on a website it is in effect "copyrighted". Though here is what the USA government copyright office has to say about that:

"Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works."

Tom Robinson emailed me for permission to play my song "Black and White" before he played it. What that means legally, I am not sure. If that meant I gave him legal permission to play my song without any monetary compensation, I don't know. It probably wouldn't be much money if they only played it once. I am not registered with BMI or ASCAP as far as making sure I get whatever royalties are owed to me. I don't get enough radio play to make that worth while. I have heard it is very common for radio stations to not pay royalties for music they play. The radio stations know you are just happy to get your music played on the radio. It sounds like if a person makes a big stink about not getting the royalties from the radio station, that station will just say, fine, we won't play your music anymore on the radio.

Here is a link to the topic of radio play royalties in the USA:

https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying ... over-radio

[melomood]

appreciate the appreciation

ill throw a couple of old names in the mix.
normal
opia dream
jack dark.

current posters who are making interesting stuff to me would be
kenflo
jancivil
tomtom
eassae
opaque.

and you know i like your stuff too, is it always great, no, nor should it be. especially given how much you do
but i also enjoy watching the processes you've gone through, for the various albums, seeking out relevant techniques
i wish i was as organised and tenacious as you, id be the king of ambienta, which is what id name my kingdom

Correction
opiadream

[ChameleonMusic]

I have heard the laws in the U.K. are different than the USA.

USA and UK have strong copyright law liaison. VERY similar in many ways, but quite different in one or two core issues...(Over the years, I've sold more music in the US than in the UK...even have a bloomin' US tax code so that I don't pay twice)!

In the USA if you want to formally litigate and go to court for mis-use of your 'work', it has to be registered with the US Copyright Office. Of course what they fail to tell you is that most copyright issues are solved outside of the court and never get as far as formal litigation.

Copyright is not formally registrable in the UK, and therefore there is obviously no requirement of registration before a legal action can be commenced. (You can use a PRS here for extra cover, but there is no copyright office as such for central registration).

US COPYRIGHT OFFICE(2021):
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. Registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?
The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection.

This used to be done a lot pre-digital age (including me). had no resonance in the US and only a little bit here. Nowadays, it's 100% irrelevant as a time-stamped upload is legally much more powerful as a copyright statement.

Is my copyright good in other countries?
The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honour each other's citizens' copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. For a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, see Circular 38a, International Copyright Relations of the United States.

Tom Robinson emailed me for permission to play my song "Black and White" before he played it. What that means legally, I am not sure.

It means he was legally covering his back and getting your permission, I suspect! All very normal and above board...

Similar circumstances.. I either give them permission without a fee; give them permission on receipt of an upfront fee; give them permission and let them know that the 'play' / 'plays' will be registered with my PRS for royalties.

It probably wouldn't be much money if they only played it once.

Probably just a few cents!

Had a piece on Bulgarian TV last year - played 2x 30 seconds...total earnings 75p.

It can run sometimes though...Irish radio used a 30 second piece of mine once each day for 18 months...that brought in £100s.

Royalties is NOT a perfect system and will always be abused by some, but it does work - at least to some extent!

My weirdest one: little café in Panama City a few years ago - don't know how they got to my music, but they used various tracks as background for a few years (must've killed the customer base) But I got the royalties twice a year...just a few pounds each time, but it all goes into the echo chamber that is my central money pot!

NOTE: I only ever licence my music:
1) for specific public broadcasts / events
2) for specific mechanical usage

I never sell it, as that usually involves handing control of the copyright to someone else!