2008
02.06
02.06
All it takes is a week of mainstream publicity to start seeing results. All Sublight releases have been removed from iTunes, and Apple wants to work things out without legal action.
Obviously there’s a lot more to tell, but I’ll wait until all the dust settles before saying anything…since every word of mine is being spun into personalized-opinion-campaigns.
In the last 12 hours I have learned the following facts about myself from the internet:
- I am a Scientologist, and the reason I’m getting publicity on this issue is because the Church of Scientology is commanding it’s minions to push my career forward.
- Not only do I not own the rights to my own music, I’m also bound by a complex major label record contract in which I do not understand.
- I was hired by Microsoft as a pawn in a huge viral PR campaign.
- I’ve posted bulletins on Myspace asking users to bring methamphetamines to my shows.
Stay tuned. It gets worse (funnier) before it gets better (boring).
.
P.S… comments are enabled for this post. I probably won’t get around to responding to many of them, and I’ll be disabling them if there’s any spam or trolling.
keep it up. your my hero benn!
Keep fighting the good fight! The music industry needs changes like yours.
HA I didn’t see this one. #1 is my favorite. More!
I got to admit I am really looking forward to getting home and checking out your music. If there is a silver lining in any of this it would be maybe some new fans.
Jeremiah
Good luck reclaiming rights to your old releases! I’d love to see a nicely packaged Kirlian Selections + Reunion + STAVL box set on Alphabasic. Or maybe even a re-issue of M3…
In any case, it would be very interesting to hear donation stats. There were hundreds of enthusiastic comments on what.cd; I wonder how many actually donated.
I’d recommend readers of this blog to check out this interesting recent interview with Benn (especially if you still think he’s a hardcore scientologist): http://www.thestream.tv/watch.php?v=583
I wholeheartedly second the idea of a boxset or some re-releases. I came far too late to the game (first breakcore CD I bought was this past December). I absolutely love M^3 though, and I’m also curious as to how M^3 LiME sounds… Anyway, keep up with the releases and I’ll keep up with the sending you money in exchange for plastic discs and awesome artwork.
You’re the future.
Benn,
After very recently discovering your music. (about a week before all this came about) I have to say you’re a refreshing change from many artists out there. Keep it up, the album is excellent, as is Kirlian Selections.
G
I just want to congratulate you on the forward thinking and great effort you have made.
I actually donated before I even heard the music as support for the forward thinking and progressiveness of your ideas, it’s nice that the music aint half bad either
.
Kudos and keep up the good work.
I third the re-release idea.
Anyway, what I’m most happy about is that your Sublight releases have been taken off of iTunes. It’s like they finally woke up! I’m glad the album promotion is working so well for you. Of course, the more attention you get, the more attention you get from idiots, and that sucks. But wouldn’t you say it is worth it (at least for now)?
Peace
P.S. The whole album is awesome, but special thanks for track #s 13, 28, and 30.
Wow. Thank you. This whole fiasco is a prime mover towards a more fair and potentially profitable industry (for artists). It gives me hope and inspiration as a musician to see artists defending their fans and moving to change a corrupt industry. I thank you, whole-heartedly, for standing behind your music and not some suits.
I just love all the dolts who commented on the article when they clearly hadn’t read it. And the Apple fanboys who insisted the e-mail from that dumb box Wendy at Apple was clearly fake, and all part of your underhanded promotion.
Benn, this whole thing has been hugely inspiring. I hope Alphabasic thrives and picks up where Sublight left off. And STAVL is the goddamn best thing you’ve ever done.
I think your point of view on the music industry as a whole and your attempt at finding a happy medium within it is spot on! I wish you the best.
Hey Benn. Bet you didn’t envisage all this eh! At least it’s good that they’ve been removed from iTunes..
What did I never envisage? That I would ever discover a musical artist with perfect music, and that I would then discover the man behind the music is friendly and genuine. There are only so many ways of saying you’re a true inspiration to me. Some might laugh, but such is life. The first comment up there says it all…
STAVL is a masterpiece but.. Kirlian Selections is the album for me, perfection in every way, re-release that and I’ll lap it up. I recently bought a second copy just for safety!
Hope your health is back, and that ankle is healing..
All the best dude. Cheers for the PE.
I liked your OS, but the black background color, with white arial letters makes terrible things with my eyes… you shold try some other color palletes!
Argh! I can’t find the aforementioned torrent anywhere! Where is it?
Glad to see you got some of that Apple junk taken care of. I can’t wait to see how far your label goes, and I’m genuinely happy to be around to see its growth. =)
Cheers!
Newsflash: The Flashbulb Hates Apples.
He loves orange things, after all.
Hurrhurrr..
congrats on your success with the itunes issue. going to check out your new album and hopefully donate
U’re the best, benn! keep up smilin’ =)
Just received the new album in the mail today.
Loved the extracts from Pale Blue Dot, just beautifully integrated.
STAVL is such a beautiful album, I like the direction your music is taking (although your breakcore was great too!). Good to know that Apple’s finally taken your stuff off, you’ve probably lost more money to them than piracy.
Also, do you think Alphabasic could ship to Jamaica? I’d love to buy a physical copy of Welcome to Chicago.
>I’ve posted bulletins on Myspace asking users to bring methamphetamines to my shows.
’s a great idea, what’s the problem here?
4thing the re-release box set. will pay previously-good american monies for it, especially if it contains m3 lime.
I’m really glad things are finally starting to sort out with apple, I’m very much hoping that apple gives you some sort of a settlement, because before I knew about this I purchased the entirety of Welcome to Chicago on iTunes, and I feel like an ass for having done so. Sorry Benn.
That’s a nice step in the right direction, Apple didn’t wanted to harm you, it was a problem with your
PS: Greetings from Mexico dude.
That’s a nice step in the right direction, Apple didn’t wanted to harm you, it was a problem with your old label.
PS: Greetings from Mexico dude.
Bought your CD (and a sweet-ass T-shirt) the night it came out for pre-sale. I couldn’t wait though, so I downloaded a copy…it is mind-blowing. My favorite yet. I’d hate to see you totally break away from breakcore (pun not intended), but keep going in the direction you are going. It is spectacular.
P.S. I’m glad you were able to get your albums off iTunes.
P.S.S. I need to have something physical when I buy my music, so please, please, please, never abandon a physical medium altogether. I especially need it for the artwork. Sometimes my favorite part of a CD.
P.S.S.S. I second a box-set. I already have most of your CDs anyway, but I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
Well If you have made it this far and still have a sense of humor, I salute thee!