if you want to do covers, you would have to contact Harry Fox Agency, in NYC, request forms to fill up for your covers, and PAY depending on which artist you are covering top $$$$.
not doing so, you would get yourself in trouble, not to mention all those nice folks in the WIRE
sucks, but that's how it works...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
reverendrat
User Expert Boarder
Posts: 33
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/24 21:49Unless, of course, you want to cover a traditional song in the public domain or something with a Creative Commons licence.
I think the idea is to stick with original material, though.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
imnotfromtexas1
User Fresh Boarder
Posts: 1
Karma: 0
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/24 21:55what i was going to do is do 10 original songs plus a cover or two, so its still 10 original songs
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
if you want to do covers, you would have to contact Harry Fox Agency, in NYC, request forms to fill up for your covers, and PAY depending on which artist you are covering top $$$$.
not doing so, you would get yourself in trouble, not to mention all those nice folks in the WIRE
sucks, but that's how it works...
You only have to top $$$ if the song in question is to be distributed in mass quantities. If I legally produce one record and send it in and the wire accepts it, they own that copy and it's at their discretion if they want to duplicate it digitally or not, which they would then be liable for. It seems like all the risk is carried by the wire unless I agree that I'm responsible for my work and give the wire rights to duplicate. I don't want to be a hard on or steal anyone's work. I have a seperate career and I have never cared to make a dime off of my recordings. That's part of why the idea of producing in one month is exciting, I'm doing it just for the sake of what new creative juicies could flow within that limitation. In fact I thought I could decide whether my songs were private or public. So it seems I could freely secure my own license for a private recording as long as I state clearly that the recording is not to be duplicated by the wire, does that work?
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
ROMAN[US]
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 88
Karma: 0
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/24 22:41You only have to top $$$ if the song in question is to be distributed in mass quantities
yes, but regardless if it is mass consumed or not, is somebody else's work. Ethics would make you tell whomever author that you're using their work. at any rate is better to avoid a legal mess
I legally produce one record and send it in and the wire accepts it, they own that copy and it's at their discretion if they want to duplicate it digitally or not, which they would then be liable for. It seems like all the risk is carried by the wire
since we're submitting the work and it will be displayed for all to hear on the web, it's already digitally out there. granted there is no distribution and there is no profit being made from them.
but if a over jealous artist hears hi/her song on the web and it was recorded by somebody who didn't bother to contact the artist or its management....legal crap would follow if the artist is lawsuit trigger happy.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
maxwellneon
User Junior Boarder
Posts: 5
Karma: 0
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/24 22:54Great songs last year ROMAN[US]. Legality aside, I think that cover songs would kind of ruin the spirit of the project. Good luck!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
ROMAN[US]
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 88
Karma: 0
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/24 23:10thanks for your words maxwell. We hope to do another batch of great tunes this year.. someday we'll perform them live
yes indeed cover song would defeat the purpose of the event..
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
danduran
User Junior Boarder
Posts: 8
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/25 07:15I've done covers in the past distributed through my website, and never had a problem. I think first thing is I don't charge for them, secondly I don't live in the US and don't have the RIAA to worry about. I mean, who's going to sue some broke bedroom-artist for a few covers of Pink Floyd, Human League and Judy Garland songs done in an indie-new wave style?
Nobody here, that's who.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Ethiks Committee
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 113
Karma: 2
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/25 09:32Yeah mang. I would say that you should make your own stuff. I, for one, love listening to original material and not cover after cover of "Creep". Do something that no other artist has done before. Otherwise, I don't really see any reason for doing it.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Actually, the song I want to record is by a friend, so there wouldn't be any copyright issues. He's recorded the song, but I've never performed or recorded a version of it before.
But would this fall within the guidelines then?
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Actually, the song I want to record is by a friend, so there wouldn't be any copyright issues. He's recorded the song, but I've never performed or recorded a version of it before.
But would this fall within the guidelines then?
The way I read them it would. What else are friends for but to give you material? As long as you do the recording...and assuming your friend isn't Britney Spears...go for it.
Opinions may vary.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
The Digbees
User Expert Boarder
Posts: 21
Karma: 2
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/25 12:02yes, but regardless if it is mass consumed or not, is somebody else's work. Ethics would make you tell whomever author that you're using their work. at any rate is better to avoid a legal mess
I for one would be flattered if someone chose to cover my work, whether they informed me ahead of time or not. From a legal standpoint, however, if there were any monies made, I would hope to be paid my share. From flattery or potential income standpoints, I don't think anyone would ever deny you permission to cover their song. I mean, if it sucks, no one will listen to it anyway!
I legally produce one record and send it in and the wire accepts it, they own that copy and it's at their discretion if they want to duplicate it digitally or not, which they would then be liable for. It seems like all the risk is carried by the wire
I don't think the Wire is at risk, or even part of the issue, as they have no intention of selling copies of these works. When you sign on for RPM, I beleive you're agreeing to allow The Wire to post a digital copy of the work on their website. You own this work, not the Wire. If you decide to replicate your cd and sell it, you are responsible to obtain permission and pay for any cover songs you include. I covered a Stones song back in '95, and I contacted the Harry Fox agancy, got permission to record the tune, and agreed to pay statutory rate, which for 500 copies amounted to about $40. Did I pay it? Nah. Did Keith Richards come knocking on my door? I wish!! But no one is going to chase after $40 for a song that only 495 people are aware exists.
since we're submitting the work and it will be displayed for all to hear on the web, it's already digitally out there. granted there is no distribution and there is no profit being made from them.
Digitally out there for listening only and digitally out there for downloading are two very different things. The Wire's online jukebox doesn't allow for downloads. The Wire has done a great job at making this music available for all to enjoy, without stepping on anyone's toes as far as ownership and distribution rights.
but if a over jealous artist hears hi/her song on the web and it was recorded by somebody who didn't bother to contact the artist or its management....legal crap would follow if the artist is lawsuit trigger happy.
If there was no money made, there is nothing to sue for, other than removal of the song from the web. If for some reason you do get entangled in legal crap, make sure your name gets in the paper for it! There's no such thing as "bad publicity"!!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Dick1
User Expert Boarder
Posts: 21
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/25 15:24The point of the challenge is to write and record your own songs in February. If you want to tack on a cover after you've reached the goal, sure.
If you can't committ to writing your own stuff in the allotted time, don't sign up for the challenge. I think the two or three rules are pretty easy to understand. Sorry, I don't mean to be a dick. Oh wait I am Dick! Good luck!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
aeolian
User Expert Boarder
Posts: 20
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/25 18:30I was reticent to post this, because of the negative connotations (and RPM is such a positive thing). But I thought it was relevant:
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Nick
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 74
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/28 10:54I was actually considering having a cover as a bonus track as it were
But that rests on the whole "finishing with time to spare" scenario that I'm not quite sure of.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
bramc
User Fresh Boarder
Posts: 3
Karma: 0
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/28 15:09I think that people who play covers should make them not recognisable anyway... Like an industrial-reggae britney-cover, or metallica played as acoustic disco, or jandek with great orchestra...
Does it ever make sense to record something the way it has been recorded before???
Bram
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
maxwellneon
User Junior Boarder
Posts: 5
Karma: 0
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/28 16:56I <3 cross-genre covers and I even take guilty pleasure in the more recent mashup trend. I also love covers with tempos in high contrast of the original. A good example of a good cover would be anything by Nouvelle Vague, they do bossa nova covers of 80's synthpop! I have no interest in listening to identical covers.
bramc wrote: I think that people who play covers should make them not recognisable anyway... Like an industrial-reggae britney-cover, or metallica played as acoustic disco, or jandek with great orchestra...
Does it ever make sense to record something the way it has been recorded before???
Bram
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
reverendrat
User Expert Boarder
Posts: 33
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/28 17:08I agree with the idea of making it a completely different song- In the past, I've recorded:
-I Think We're Alone Now by the Shondelles as Ska-Core -Knowing Me Knowing You by Abba as gothic metal -Don't Pray on Me by Bad Religion as an acoustic balad -Got The Time by Joe Jackson and 96 Degrees by Third World as kind of slow heavy groove tunes -and punk/heavy modern rock versions of a couple dozen others
What are some of your most original covers?
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Unsung
User Senior Boarder
Posts: 19
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/29 00:40what about sampling? i'll probly have a couple anyway regardless
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
aeolian
User Expert Boarder
Posts: 20
Karma: 1
Re:Cover song permitted? - 2007/01/29 05:38Hey Reverend Rat, that reminded me of seeing Terrafolk a year or two ago. They are a fantastic Slovenian band with more energy and enthusiasm than I think should be physically possible. Amid their set they did a death-metal rendition of "You Are My Sunshine". Superb.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Good luck!
