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PO Now - Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version)


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The latest band to pull a Taylor Swift and completely re-record a hallmark record rather than try to repress the OG due to the publishing being locked up by a major label. Looks like it' s a great package with a triple gatefold and all: https://switchfoot.com/products/the-beautiful-letdown-switchfoot-version-vinyl?fbclid=IwAR0IAxZ632RZ9LCZ2woiJX_va0h7juCm-YbqZriI6wgmN2lGOmuAOt_2skE

 

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21 hours ago, famousdrumer said:

not the publishing rights. those aren't owned/controlled by the label. the master rights are locked up as they don't want license those out. publishing is underlying composition, so they are able to re-record and release under a simple mechanical license obtained through HFA. 

Ahh right, I get you. Appreciate the clarity :)

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22 hours ago, famousdrumer said:

not the publishing rights. those aren't owned/controlled by the label. the master rights are locked up as they don't want license those out. publishing is underlying composition, so they are able to re-record and release under a simple mechanical license obtained through HFA. 

so does the band own their songs (music + lyrics) but the label own the recordings?

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On 5/5/2023 at 7:42 PM, gutterball1 said:

so does the band own their songs (music + lyrics) but the label own the recordings?

technically yes and no. If the songwriters signed a publishing deal with a publisher, they could have assigned a percentage of those rights. really depends on the specifics of their deal. the underlying rights for a composition are also split 50% Writers Shares and 50% publishing. Even if a song writers deal includes 50% of the publishing rights, they really are only signing away 25% of every dollar that comes in on the pub side. Rights can also revert depending on the specifics of the deal. 

 

For the master rights (ie recording), it depends on the deal with the label, but usually the label will own the rights and after so many years (by law) the artist can re-record, which you are seeing with a lot of older artists. This too also depends on the deal signed.

 

Record and publishing deals are become more and more favorable to the artists due to the access and ability to record/release music independently. However, having the backing of label/publisher can really help your career as they will typically spend money on marketing, since its an investment.  For every 10 artists that are signed to a big label, typically on 1-2 really see profit for the labels/publishers. 

 

Unfortunately a lot of bands from the 90s/2000s only saw $$ when signing their deals and signed away their rights. Shady from the labels, but that's why its important to have a entertainment/contracts lawyer and not your best friend from high school managing/advising you. 

 

I work for a major Music Publisher, so this is my wheelhouse. 

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