The Spoons wrote and recorded some of the most recognizable Canadian music of the 1980s. From the brooding Nova Heart to Romantic Traffic’s unforgettable chorus, the band’s new wave sound won them fans across the country. Over his four decades in the music industry, founding member Gord Deppe has seen significant changes but he says there’s one thing that hasn’t changed.
“I would continue to make music, no matter the circumstances,” Deppe told us when he visited Re:Sound’s offices. “Getting good royalties and performance income allows me to make it a full-time career. The royalty side of the business is very important.”
This is below the fold text, please fill in.
Secret City Records is the independent Montreal label behind Patrick Watson and Shad’s 2019 Polaris Prize Shortlist nominated A Short Story About War, among others. Re:Sound spoke with founder Justin West about independent labels, their unique needs and the importance of royalties for music creators.
"Performance royalties are extremely important to our business and bottom-line. This revenue stream has helped us to invest more heavily in the artists we work with and the infrastructure supporting those projects. An efficient flow of performance income to the appropriate rights holders helps to create a virtuous cycle."
—Justin West
Founder and President, Secret City Records and Secret City Publishing Chair and Board Member, WIN (Worldwide Independent Network) Board Member, MERLIN, CIMA, ADISQ, and FACTOR
PPCA
Abramus
SBACEM
Gramex
Gramex
GVL
Grammo
PPI
SCF
RIAJ
SENA
COSON
Gramo
ZPAV
IFPI Sverige
AGEDI
UMA
SoundExchange
$42.8 million has been collected under International Agreements since December 2012.
In summer 2018, CONNECT encouraged its independent label and artist members to assign their Remunerative Rights directly to Re:Sound. The three major labels – Warner Music Canada, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. and Universal Music Canada – had assigned these rights directly to Re:Sound in 2017.
In summer 2018, CONNECT encouraged its independent label and artist members to assign their Remunerative Rights directly to Re:Sound. The three major labels – Warner Music Canada, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. and Universal Music Canada – had assigned these rights directly to Re:Sound in 2017.
To date, this has resulted in a 28% decrease in administration costs and $1.2 million in additional royalties available for CONNECT members. It has also simplified data processing and expedited royalty payments through direct payments to CONNECT members.
Exclusive Rights in the reproduction of member recordings remain assigned to CONNECT. This allows CONNECT to deliver more value to its members when their recordings are copied and to explore new licensing avenues and practices.
CONNECT independent labels and artists can contact royalties@resound.ca to learn more about assigning Remunerative Rights to Re:Sound.