22 August 2009 No Comment by Ines

Guest Blog: The internet does me more good than bad

If you look up “Roses Kings Castles” on ThePirateBay it only suggests an odd Top Tunes Karaoke Disc set. To be fair, it’s got a whole lot of Beatles and Bon Jovi in it, also a couple of Christmas hits and “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People which I loved when I was younger. I even knew the whole choreography by heart. “Y.M.C.A. is a song I wouldn’t choose to be played at my funeral.” says Adam Ficek. “But I would like to learn the moves as I always feel left out at weddings!” The Babyshambles drummer just released his new folky EP as Roses Kings Castles and he told me what making music in times of internet piracy is about.

Did you ever download anything, legally or illegally?
I have done recently, it was an old record I couldn’t find and I often use it for mash ups and rare remixes.

Good news first, did you know that your music isn’t on ThePirateBay?
Yes it is, I have checked although I requested for it to be taken down, my album cost me personally 25000 pounds and I am no way near recouping so I do try and politely ask these sites if they can help me out. I don’t mind if people give something back but I can see a time in the future where I can’t afford to release music because there is no money coming back form sales.

Let’s say I downloaded your music illegally – what would you tell me?
I’m glad you took an interest, do you like it, did you get anything from it? If yes then put your hand in your pocket and give something back to me so I can continue giving to you. It’s a give and take situation, if not the big corporates will run the music industry, they already are in control, it’ll be like the mercury awards on a global grand scale.

So if we all have to pay for music, it’s a luxury good, right? Does that leave any space for all that romantic “faith in love and music” idea?
To an extent! There’s a lot of shit out there, big PR companies can sell the worst product to the richest of people, it’s their job, so not all is quality luxury. I don’t make music as a luxury, it is part of me, a need, as for the romantic notion of ‘faith in love and music’, well, it’s a nice concept.

What’s the problem with the music industry and the internet?
The main problem with the music industry is, there is not enough money coming in anymore, they have been used to vast amounts from record sales, that has now dried up, and they have been too slow jumping into the online music community. So they’re panic panic panic, most artists are taken on now with a view to a quick turnover, if they don’t make big profit in a few years, they’re out.

This major can work in certain situations due to the influence that majors hold over commercial radio, unfortunately, commercial radio is a very important part of breaking a band. In this country a label will influence producers to play certain tracks and therefore the majority of middle England will absorb and buy. So the major labels are struggling but still hold much weight, it’ll take a while for the revolution I’m afraid.

Regarding the internet, it’s much more of a positive one, although there are loads of illegal torrent sites, I can use the online networking sites and independant radios/blogs to get my music out there as I can’t afford the paid advertising of the main radio stations. So although the internet is causing problems, it does me personally more good than bad.

You’ve just released you new EP and an album is coming soon. What can we expect of it?
My new EP is out next week from my site www.roseskingscastles.com, it’s slightly more produced than the last album and it uses bigger instrumentation, bass drums, horns etc. There’s also an electro remix type affair on the EP. Yes my album is now finished, I just need a title and the artwork, I listened to the first mixes last night, it’s sounding ace. It’s sincere and warm. There’s bullshit on it.