Nick Mason: Labels And Artists Should Talk More

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has joined a campaign aimed at getting closer links between the record labels and artists.

“When the government started to get involved with stopping illegal file sharing a few years ago, they began a dialogue with the record companies, but there was no representation from the artists,” Mason told Classic Rock. “What we’re trying to do is redress the balance.”

The organisation is called Featured Artists Coalition, who’s membership also includes Radiohead, Chrissie Hynde and Marillion. Their first triumph has been to persuade record labels to release tracks commercially as soon as they’re available for radio airplay.

“Sony and Universal have both agreed to this already. In fact, it makes complete sense. As soon as a song is in the public domain, then it’s vulnerable to being illegally downloaded. This would go some way to prevent it.”

The FAC are also keen to encourage more communication between artists and labels.

“There is a tendency for musicians to view labels as just people in suits, but we are trying to get the two sides to talk. Because it can only be to everyone’s benefit. The labels are still coming to terms with what the new technology means for them, so everything is up in the air.

“One thing we want to see is for labels either to explore more of their back catalogue, or to give the rights back to the artists. So many companies have material in their vaults they don’t even know exists.”