Second Dead Meadow MP3: I'm Gone

[Patrick]

The second Dead Meadow MP3 has been posted - it's entitled I'm Gone:

http://www.matadorrecords.com/mpeg/dead_meadow/dead_meadow_im_gone.mp3

[Fiona]

I like this, but "What Needs Must Be" has the edge, if only because of the guitar solo.

Now I don't wish to contradict Monday's post on the blog regarding release dates, but several shops here and in the UK are expecting to have the album in next week.
Before I get my shout in, can you please tell me if European vinyl releases now come with mp3 coupons??

[Patrick]

Hi Fiona,

They don't. The problem is mechanical royalties in Europe. In the US and Canada, artists can sign a waiver so that they don't get paid twice for mechanicals - once for the LP and once for the MP3 downloads. In your European countries, they're not allowed to do that - the law insists that the national collection societies collect for every copy of the album that's distributed. Since we're not getting paid twice for the two versions of the album (vinyl and MP3s), we can't afford to pay out two sets of mechanicals. Hence no MP3 coupons.

Sorry it's taken so long to get an answer on this. We've been researching ways to do this with our European partners, and have ended up being completely stymied.

Patrick

[Fiona]

Thanks Patrick, appreciate the response. I am guessing that because releases here are through the European division/office these are subject to local legislation, and that other companies who are including d/l coupons in vinyl releases here don't have entities outside of the US and hence releases are treated as imports, technically, for legal purposes in this regard.

[Patrick]

Hi Fiona,

Ah, now that's interesting. What are the other labels who are offering MP3 coupons? It may be that they are simply hoping to fly beneath the radar. Or, alternatively, that they are willing to pay double mechanicals and take the hit.

[Fiona]

Patrick, that I can of off the top of my head - Merge, Sub Pop, JagJaguwar, Touch and Go, Saddle Creek and Thrill Jockey are including coupons in vinyl releases in the UK and Ireland.

[Patrick]

Thanks, Fiona - so all US labels - let me follow up on our end. Can you tell from the record covers and/or the labels whether these were manufactured in the US and exported to Europe?

[Fiona]

Yep, all US labels, with no European base. There's no indication on the packaging etc. of what I have here as to where they were manufactured. Next time I'm out shopping I'll take a look at some recs from other labels and see if there's anything.

[Patrick]

My guess is that they are imports, and these labels' European operations (if any), when questioned by the MCPS and other mechanical collection societies, can say the publishing royalties were paid in the US.

I've also enquired of our UK office though.