I’m the type of person who holds on to ticket stubs and photos and presses flowers but never puts them into a scrapbook I just have them scattered everywhere which brilliantly illustrates how I’m a sentimental piece of shit who can’t put their life together
I HAVE COMPLETED THE JOEY CHALLENGE, I HAVE BEATEN TEAM ROCKET, COLLECTED 16 BADGES, BEATEN THE LEAGUE TWICE, AND HAVE DEFEATED RED, I HAVE COMPLETED THE ENTIRE GAME USING ONLY A TOP PERCENTAGE RATTATA, I HAVE NOT FAINTED ONCE, TOP % TOP % TOP %
I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.
These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.
I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.
Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
(Please forgive the absolutely terrible quality of the photo - my phone is half-broken and giving me issues. Hopefully you’ll overlook that when you see what we’re giving away!)
Everyone knows Amiibos have been suffering from Supply and Demand issues (thanks, Nintendo). Well, we’ve been lucky to get our hands on an extra Robin, Marth, and even a Lucina – and we’d love to pass them along to you! Yep, that’s right - it’s a Fire Emblem Amiibo Giveaway!
(PLEASE NOTE: We have been unable to get our hands on an extra Ike as of posting this, but if we are able to aquire one by the end of the Giveaway, he will be added as well)
Extra Nintendo swag will be thrown in as well, but what will it be? Who knows. You’ll have to wait and see!
Likes and Reblogs all count as an entry - ONLY ONE REBLOG WILL COUNT. Please do not spam your friends’ dashboards, that’s rude :( Following either myself or haganeart is not required but is always appreciated :)
WE WILL SHIP INTERNATIONALLY – However, please note some of the products we get may only work in the US/Canada (for example, Nintendo e-shop cards), so please keep that in mind!
The giveaway will run from today, May 31st, until Sunday, June 21st. Hopefully in that time my phone will be cooperating and I can get some non-terrible pictures for you all. HAVE FUN!
