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LA ROUX



Last Updated: 2/9/2010

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Status: Single
State: London and South East
Country: UK
Signup Date: 5/5/2007
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 

Category: Jobs, Work, Careers
Lily has written a blog on file sharing and I'd really like you to 
take a look at it: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=36707169&blogId=510114316 It's about how piracy is having an adverse 
affect on the music industry and making it difficult for new, emerging 
artists to build a career.

Her blog is a reaction to an article in The Times you can read here:http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6828262.ece  In the article, Musicians from the Featured Artists Coalition, 
including members of Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Blur, have all spoken 
out and said that file sharing is fine. But they would say that 
because they are millionaires, already having made a fortune from an 
era when people paid for music.

As a new artist myself I am acutely aware of this. I'm not sure that 
many people understand that when you sign a record deal, you are 
effectively in debt to your record company for that amount. It all has 
to be paid back. As the artist, you also pay for all overheads out of 
your own pocket. That includes all tour costs, recording costs, 
marketing costs and the wages of any musicians and crew you employ. 
Not cheap. The idea is that over time, you will make enough money in 
record and ticket sales to do this. But it is becoming more and more 
difficult for new artists to get out of debt when people think that 
stealing their music is ok.

The music industry itself is suffering because record companies are 
less willing to take a risk on artists they fear might not make a 
profit straight away. So you end up with safe, bland, bankable acts. 
Many artists in the past didn't make it big until maybe their third 
album, but record companies were willing to invest in them and help 
them develop because they thought they had potential. No one can 
afford to do that now.

The industry had been careless in allowing file sharing to go this 
far. Young people can't download music legally because they don't have 
credit cards and can't create online accounts. It is naive to think 
that in the digital age they will go to HMV and buy the CD instead. We 
need to think about file sharing in a different way, a way that allows 
new, smaller acts to make a living from their chosen career.

Me? I'm going down to HMV to nick all of Radiohead's albums.

What do you lot think?

LA ROUX x x xx
5:37 PM
 
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Tanner
Tanner Heick

 
I think your fab La Roux and you're new album is fantastic!! Consumers need more bang for there buck though. Not just 11 tracks on a disc. DVD, stickers, patches, remixes, etc. Like the old days of vinyl. And Lily Allen fuckings sucks by the way so I wouldn't be listening to her or you'll stay in the UK.

 
Posted by Tanner on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 6:11 PM
[Reply to this] 
RJWeir
Rebecca Weir

 
i discovered this whole artists are in debt to their labels thing a while ago when i was reading a book about the record industry and since then have been trying to stop friends illegal downloading ive always thought it wrong its really kust the same as stealing if you think about it. seriously massive sympathy 
 
Posted by RJWeir on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 6:12 PM
[Reply to this] 
Liisa Lagoun

 
I couldn't agree more!
 The situation in my country is even worse. Everybody in the business cares only for their profit and it's been a long time since a true artist emerged here and not some slutty chick that mimics Britney Spears but a person with character and talent.
Some years ago I released my album on a major but inspite of great feedback and thousands of people in the fan base I sold no more that a 1000 copies.
maybe my label lied to me about the numbers. how can i be sure?
so I wasn't even paid a penny for that thousand cd's since my contract had that nasty bracket of 1000cd's and only after selling more than that number of copies I will be paid.
anyway...

I think that this file sharing went so far that no one has the strength to stop it
I believe that as labels' profits slack day by day, somehow someone will invent something, I am sure of it.
 This won't last forever or soon we'll have to say "hello" to music degeneration.



 
Posted by Liisa Lagoun on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 7:43 PM
[Reply to this] 
Roux
Chloe Levi Joyce

 
You pay for all the costs out of your own pocket? Elly, everyday you impress me and inspire me! I learn something new from you everyday :) I hope your tour goes amazing!

xxxx
 
Posted by Roux on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 7:43 PM
[Reply to this] 
Lilly [Perry]
Lilly Wesc

 
... yes you are right, i agree
La Roux you are great in every aspect



 
Posted by Lilly [Perry] on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:44 AM
[Reply to this] 
An American Werewolf

 
I know this all to well. I completely agree with you.

 
Posted by An American Werewolf on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:45 AM
[Reply to this] 
Velvet Gunpowder™
Phoenix Loomis

 
"Lily Allen fuckings sucks by the way so I wouldn't be listening to her or you'll stay in the UK."
Opinions aside (I personally adore Lily Allen) I don't see the logic of that statement. Lily Allen hasn't stayed in the UK has she? More of my friends here in the US have listened to her over other UK acts I listen to.

Ah well, I second all that was said in this entry and it is a shame indeed what is now happening with the music market on top of the shady past of the music industry as a whole.
 
Posted by Velvet Gunpowder™ on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:51 AM
[Reply to this] 
Balkan Ghost
Marc AF.

 
Hey LR.
Check it out. After reading all the (justified) hype that is surrounding you guys, I decided I needed to hear for myself, and downloaded your record for free, off a torrent site I won't name here. I listened to it - and I thought it was amazing. So I deleted the download, and went and bought the actual CD.

I cannot speak for whoever is considered a "music thief" because I do not understand the purpose of their practice, but my point is that filesharing cannot be completely eradicated, but instead should be used responsibly. A few times too many in the past have I felt completely ripped off by some of my favorite artists after buying their newest record only to realize that it was terribly bad. Filesharing/download has the advantage for me that I can use it to decide whether I like the record enough to go buy it. Yeah OK, the artist doesn't make money when I download the album, but @ the same time the artist doesn't steal my money had I bought their album and it was bad as hell. It's a two-way relationship. If all the music in the world was worth listening to forever, there would be absolutely no point in filesharing and it wouldn't have a reason to exist. But not the way it is now. If I download your record and I think it's dope, I will make it a priority for me to go buy the actual thing so that I can show some support & appreciation. If however I download it & I think it's horrible, I don't think you deserve my money for it - and I will delete it from my hard drive to make room for the next great record that I rip after buying it.

It's all about responsibility, and the love of music. True melomaniacs will buy your record if they like it, no matter why. People who don't like music are the ones hurting its industry, but 6-million dollar fines for downloading 30 songs is not the solution, that's just ridiculous.

On a final note, next week I am getting my ticket for your upcoming show here on October 24. I know it will be amazing and I am looking forward to it. See what my initial download of your album has generated? ;)

Cheers-
Marc

 
Posted by Balkan Ghost on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:53 AM
[Reply to this] 
tony

 
I think you've pinched Lily Allen's argument ... that's as bad as  stealing her music man.
 
Posted by tony on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:53 AM
[Reply to this] 
RGP
Richard Parish

 
I'm sorry but i totally agree with the Featured Artists Coalition on this. I am a very big fan of yours, i think u r the best artist to come along in a very long time, but without file sharing I probably wouldn't be a fan of you, or most of the other artists I listen to now. I honestly believe that the vast majority of people who use file sharing websites are doing so because traditional ways of hearing new music, such as radio and tv, have become so commercialised and out of touch that file sharing has replaced them as the main source for hearing new music. This is no more stealing than listening to the radio is stealing, i buy all the music that i like enough to include on my iPod; i own ur CD, hav all the singles on vinyl, i was also at ur album launch and have tickets to ur Birmingham gig on 18th November.
Obviously I am aware that there are a few bad eggs who do really steal the music and have no intention of buying it, but this is no reason to demonise the majority who are genuine fans of music and artists. The music industry should focus on promoting and expanding legal, free services, such as Spotify, and stop criminalising consumers in an attempt to cling on to it's ancient and out-dated business model. I am surprised that Lily Alen hasn't realised this as she owes most of her success to the internet.
Anyway, i hope that we can soon get back to focusing on the most important thing - the music.

 
Posted by RGP on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:55 AM
[Reply to this] 
♥Raffi♥ ☆ラフィー☆ ‴PAФФИ‴

 
Word! Why should we steal music when we can get it for a low price anyway? The other day I bought The Saturdays' "Chasing Lights" for just £3.98 @ amazon. I'm into physical releases and very happy about the possibility to buy limited editions. Digital music is good for my iPod, but I want to have the real thing!

 
Posted by ♥Raffi♥ ☆ラフィー☆ ‴PAФФИ‴ on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:55 AM
[Reply to this] 
‡‡††† depechebrode

 
Well said. Also I will go down to HMV and do the same.. and i will sell them and send you a check.. :) Luv ya Xxx
 
Posted by ‡‡††† depechebrode on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:56 AM
[Reply to this] 
Joaquim

 
I'm sorry guys, but I cannot agree with you!!

I know that you all live with the money of the cds,
but If we all have to buy cds, a lot of people would not listen to the music, because they don't have money to buy!!!



 
Posted by Joaquim on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:56 AM
[Reply to this] 
에밀리

 
i love lily allen and i dont like limewire i know how that effects artist plus f your a fan you SHOULD pay for it i only used limewire for songs not availible on itunes or in my country or songs that are demos and maybe for artist im not to crazy for like miley cyrus and i want like one song ill used limewire of course for people that are worth buying and talented like you guys ill buy but i buy most of my music i hate that feeling of limewire i feel so dirty. yeah people think artist are suposed to be stinkin rich or something i guess thats why they do it cos not all the time is they dont have na account or credit card they just think its not worth it but i veiw it as stealing something important but i admit i used it before for like song covers which arent on itunes of course not thats about it am i doing wrong?
 
Posted by 에밀리 on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:57 AM
[Reply to this] 
Different By Nature

 
(The industry had been careless in allowing file sharing to go this 
far.)  You are correct about this.  The Industry knew this was coming in advance and they still chose to do nothing. Now that the damage is done they are trying to do something about it.  I work for a company that sells Music CD's, and DVD's. The Music CD sales have been droping for about 4 years at my store. They are still droping.  The Industry needs to come up with something FAST. Perhaps a Kiosk or a machine of such that you put in stores where the shopper can come in and purchase/burn the songs that they want legally. Better yet shut down those sites that are allowing the music to be shared/stolen etc.  I buy all my music at iTunes. (Legally) Besides young people can download music Legally because they can buy a iTunes pre-paid gift card at almost any store. Most online sites require you to be at least 13 years of age to create an account. That is here in the USA. I am not sure about the laws overseas.  Thank you for sharing this info and allowing me to share my thoughts.  I dig your music. I listen to it everyday on my way to work.  Peace, DBN :-)
 
Posted by Different By Nature on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:57 AM
[Reply to this] 
Deborah
Deborah Charnley

 
I've never in my life downloaded music illegally. It's just wrong! In fact it's only recently I've started using Amazon and itunes. The first thing I ever downloaded was you, back in December when I downloaded Quicksand! I'm an old fashioned girl, I like the CD in my hand and like to read through the album insert.

No one has an excuse for downloading illegally, even under 18's can get the pay as you go master card type cards from the local shops and they can be used on line!

I agree the music industry has been careless, as has TV and film. I think people who do download illegally are just naive and ignorant, as are those who sell pirate DVDs and those upload films and TV shows to sharing sites. It's just as frustrating for TV/film producers and actors. People just don't seam to get that when you buy something you're helping to pay the production cost. As an actor I know people who have had in their contracts repeat fees and they live on those royalties, as do musicians. At the moment if a TV show is uploaded by a third party the actors don't get paid unless they choice to dig out their contract and wave it at a lawyer and so on. 

A useful website from my union. Even useful for singers as they can be members! ;)

http://www.tvischanging.com/index.html

And as for those artist moaning in that Times article, FAC off!

 
Posted by Deborah on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:58 AM
[Reply to this] 
CharlottesWeb

 
I absolutely agree, eventhough I'm one of these people who actually GO to the store and BUY the CD (in fact, I bought your album today! And I love it! I'm listening to it on repeat, I can't get enough of it!! It's the best album I've heard in a long time! When is the next one coming out?). So I don't know, if I like an artist or a band I'm willing to support them by buying the CD, eventhough it's more expensive, but I know that is the only way to support them...besides going to the concerts and what not...
....So please keep up the good work and remember, we love you!!!....Your album is amazing!....
....Charlotte....xxx..
 
Posted by CharlottesWeb on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:58 AM
[Reply to this] 
Liisa Lagoun

 
I couldn't agree more!
 The situation in my country is even worse. Everybody in the business cares only for their profit and it's been a long time since a true artist emerged here and not some slutty chick that mimics Britney Spears but a person with character and talent.
Some years ago I released my album on a major but inspite of great feedback and thousands of people in the fan base I sold no more that  1000 copies.
maybe my label lied to me about the numbers. but how can i be sure?
so I wasn't even paid a penny for that thousand cd's since my contract had that nasty bracket of 1000cd's and only after selling more than that number of copies I will be paid.
anyway...

I think that this file sharing went so far that no one has the strength to stop it
I believe that as labels' profits slack day by day, somehow someone will invent something, I am sure of it.
This won't last forever or soon we'll have to say "hello" to music degeneration.







 
Posted by Liisa Lagoun on Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 10:58 AM
[Reply to this] 
rosie.

 
I know what you mean, it's so easy to get free music online at the moment - whole albums are on the internet for no cost and they take literally 5 seconds to download. It devalues music and artists, and i only ever use iTunes or independent record stores...I paid £9.99 for La Roux (and most of my music) and think that's totally reasonable considering the amount of work put into each album.....Anyway, see you in November, SO excited it's a bit embarrassing. Rosie X..
 
Posted by rosie. on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 8:20 PM
[Reply to this] 
Iris
Iris Filson

 
I kind of understand how you feel because one of my best friend from uni became a pop singer in Taiwan. She is very well-known in Asia at the moment but she is still poor.... Ok, she is not that poor but she is not as rich as most people think she is , especially that she likes to keep her clothes on. Sometimes I do feel that it's so much eaiser to be a writer or a computer geek. But if nobody bothers to make music anymore, our lives will be so boring like a movie without any soundtracks.

As for me, I am very old fashioned and I like to " feel" the things that I bought. I still buy books, DVDs, CDs (I will buy yinyl LPs if record companies still bother to make them because the sound on yinyl sounds so much warmer).

Anyway, I think kids these days should be taught to show their respect and support to the artists they admire.  If you can't effort to pay for the music, go find a part time job in McDonald's or buy less shoes instead.
 
Posted by Iris on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 8:21 PM
[Reply to this] 
Zoe
Zoe Nash

 
Your so right, I only ever buy from itunes or HMV because I know the artists will get money for there work, however I sadly know loads of people who illegally buy (mainly from limewire) just because prices are alot higher now, but I do try and stop them.

I think the only way to get people buying music is to stop the illegal sites and lower prices on itunes, because lots of my friends avoid it now.

Lastly i think your music is amazing, you have the best voice I have ever heard and having watched a few backstage videos on youtube think all the band members look like really nice people. I now really want to see you live, but the next time your in london is on my mums birthday and a school day which means i cant go :( I wish you the best of luck and support you all the way.

Seriously i havent stopped listening to your album in ages now and I really look forward to more in the future.
Good luck :)

Zoe x x xx


 
Posted by Zoe on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 8:21 PM
[Reply to this] 
Miss Cherry

 
..record execs are probably jumping up and down with glee at lily allen as she's doing all their dirty work for them and taking loads of flak in the process - ok so if filesharing stops and legitimate sales go up, who's to say that execs will plough more cash into new artists?? Only winners here are the execs and anyone who thinks otherwise is overly optimistic or foolish.

i don't agree with filesharing tho and para 3 of your post suprised me as i didn't have a clue as to how the finances were worked out and i can imagine the expense omg - total respect to you.  ..
 
Posted by Miss Cherry on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 8:22 PM
[Reply to this] 
'tinka

 
..You know, Lily Allen came to Eastern Europe within her tour. Well, she would have never came if there were no filesharing. Because we have no hmv’s, frankly i don’t even know where should i go to buy a cd. Especially your album, its not that mainstream yet, people here are pretty conformist, something that alters is not that welcome. We live on mtv, that’s all! So at last via filesharing Lily Allen became popular also in the Eastern Block, and at least she could get some money from us by having gigs here. So, i see your point and you’re absolutely right, but its not just about attitude and playing fair. I’m also stuck on your music, and I promised myself to buy your cd if I hit it somewhere, cause I really like it, though I buy cd’s once in a blue moon. :) And of course, I’m looking forward to next year’s festival season, cause I truly hope you’re coming somewhere near. For instance Exit Festival in Serbia. It’s rather open for artists like you, and like 50% of the visitors are British, so you’d feel like at home. :D Keep up the good work, you’re amazing! Quicksand is so perfect that there are no words to describe it! Love you Elly! xoxo..
 
Posted by 'tinka on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 7:11 PM
[Reply to this] 
Sophie loves you
Sophie Bella Chandler

 
..I completley agree.....Seeing as I don't even know how to dowload stuff from Itunes it rules me out as an illegal down loader. Everyone should by CD's especally singles becuase you get exta tracks which are usally better then the singles them selves :) Bless Lily Allans cotton socks and Long live La Roux........Although with the creation of garage band it makes everything a lot easier for us youg aspring artists xx..
 
Posted by Sophie loves you on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 7:13 PM
[Reply to this] 
Sunshine May (New Track Up!)

 
You think people used to pay for money? Oh come off it! So many people I know owned copied versions of cassettes from before the digital age. Most people had a bootleg first before buying their own record. CDs are so... Valueless. They're expensive and they're a piece of plastic. The box falls apart after opening about five times and you just stick it into your computer and listen to the first ten seconds before deciding whether you like it or not. Records are so much better - everything from the sleeve to the artwork - that's something you'd WANT to own. A CD? Pointless and overly expensive. On top of that, the artist gets paid next to nothing per album sold. And La Roux, if it weren't for file sharing, a damn lot of people wouldn't have heard from you...
....Just think about it like this; a CD is expensive and will have perhaps five out of eleven tracks that you'll enjoy. So, your mate has the CD and you decide which tracks you like; why would you pay £13 or £14 for FIVE songs? That's ridiculous! I'll be honest, I think most bands these days SHIT their music from their arses and occasionally shit a golden turd. ONE good song. I'm NOT buying a full album for ONE song - and quite often, that song isn't a single, so I can't buy it like that, either. ....
....The MySpace method of exclusively releasing the whole of an artists album to listen to before the album is released is brilliant. EVERY artist should do it and there should be a list down at the bottom of the page of all the artists releasing a new album. If people got to listen to the songs before the albums even released, then I think they're more likely to buy the album when it comes out because they will have listened and heard what's on it.....
....Ehhn, I dunno - I just don't understand why artists are feeling so hard done by, then copying and bootlegging had ALWAYS been in affect - and yes; even on this level...
 
Posted by Sunshine May (New Track Up!) on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 5:22 PM
[Reply to this] 
Becky Prince
Becky Prince

 
..I don't get why people don't get the CD, I'm 15 but I'd hate not having the hardback of it, people shouldn't be able to do the whole music share thing illegally, it's not fair.
You're amazing, I reaaallly want you to tour at Manchester Academy or somewhere like that cuz I'm too young to get in Warehouse =[  XX..
 
Posted by Becky Prince on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 5:25 PM
[Reply to this] 
Gabbi

 
..I am so glad that artists are speaking up about this. I have heard so many people argue that it's ok to have illegal downloads because 'artists make no money from record sales' and 'it must be ok because radiohead can give their album away for free'.

Hopefully more people will see this and start thinking about the people they're stealing from.

And people say they got into bands through illegal downloads, but that is so unnecessary now when there are websites like myspace.

Thanks for posting this! :) xx


'Me? I'm going down to HMV to nick all of Radiohead's albums.'
-love this :D
..
 
Posted by Gabbi on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 10:25 PM
[Reply to this] 
WoW

 
gotta agree w yu..up n comers r th market n like 'IDOL', music companies only bank on da ones thy see as best,,leaving thousands of straight from th heart musicians stranded to make their own way..as a programmer/promoter of music i believe i have th perfect way 2 beat th system set up by th big musik companies n bringing communication accross all genres 2 get a way 2b heard..any interest contact me..mkEmk
 
Posted by WoW on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 11:08 AM
[Reply to this] 
Im better than normal im abnormal
Hailey Francis

 
......it’s not right to download music illegally but a lot of things are illegal like drugs but people are all ways gone find a way to download music illegally as one web site shuts down another will open up and so on its the sad truth that all these fresh new artist like yourself won’t make enough money as you should and deserve to have but because of ppl that do download music illegally me might not get to see all the amazing songs you’re bound to make ,but maybe we should let kids have credit cards?................
 
Posted by Im better than normal im abnormal on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 11:09 AM
[Reply to this] 
Roland and the lost Octopus

 
I've bought your album twice and singles - so that's my first honest statement...
....I have file nicked - as a way of previewing.....
....The WAV format is so much better than say this website and files that are shared.....
....
..
 
Posted by Roland and the lost Octopus on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 10:36 PM
[Reply to this] 
L▲CHY
Lachy Gittins

 
Bought your new album, legally from the shop. I like the Idea of acutally being able to physically hold the music in your hands but when you download it, legally or illegally you never actually get to fully experience it.  Best Album I have bought in my 14 years of life on this earth. You should do a full tour of Australia but I suppose you can only do that if people start buying not downloading. :)
Best of luck,
Lachy
 
Posted by L▲CHY on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 1:08 AM
[Reply to this]