News »
Gigwise RSS Feeds Bookmark and Share

Guy Garvey: 'iTunes Must Allow Artists To Lock Albums'

Elbow man tells Gigwise...

  • by Jason Gregory
  • Tuesday, March 11, 2008
  • Photo by: Carsten Windhorst
  • filed in: Indie
Guy Garvey: 'iTunes Must Allow Artists To Lock Albums' Add to My Fav Bands List
Share

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has called for digital music stores, such as iTunes, to ban users from downloading individual tracks off albums.

Speaking exclusively to Gigwise, Garvey said that Apple’s music store must do more to prevent the album “dying as an art form”.

iTunes currently allows users to download artists’ albums for £7.99, and individual tracks for 79p.

“It needs looking after, it needs protecting, internet music companies like iTunes need to let artists present and sell their music in the way they want to,” he said.

“Ultimately, iTunes is a device for selling hardware, MP3 playing hardware, so they should give the artists the freedom to lock their records if they want and it’s something that I’m personally gonna see if I can make happen because it’s fucking important.”

Elbow, who release they’re fourth album, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, next Monday (March 17th), are one of a number of bands who mix songs on their albums together.

However, Garvey admits that this might not be enough.

“iTunes has to agree to lock albums so you can’t buy any original tracks without buying the whole thing.

“It’s not the buying thing either, it’s not like I want £7.99 not 79p, I’d rather people went ripped the whole thing for free than got the individual tracks for 79p each, you know what I mean, there’s no point in doing what we do.”

To read more about Garvey's thoughts on this subject and a full feature with Elbow, CLICK HERE.

Do you agree with Garvey? Should users only be able to download albums in full? Why not leave a comment below...
(7)
  • I couldnt agree more

    ~ by terry nupkins 3/11/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • It’s about time someone spoke out about this. I love listening to albums in full. Of course it would help if band’s stopped worrying about writing good hits rather than complete LPs!

    ~ by Bob 3/11/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • I always wondered what happens to those prog bands who have 4 songs on an album that last a side of an LP each. Do they get 3.16 for an hour and a half of music?

    ~ by Alan 3/11/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • Guy makes a great point. I always listen to albums in whole and elect to use a discman when i’m on the move rather than an mp3 player. Albums are made as ONE piece of work and should be listened to as such.

    ~ by Paul Egan 3/11/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • If I like the artist I will buy the full album anyway. If I’m not a fan but find a particular song memorable then I may buy an individual song. It’s no different to singles vs album buyers - i don’t really think there are loads of music fans out there deliberating over each track and deciding which they do and don’t want.

    ~ by billybob 3/11/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • how about you all stop trying to tell people how to appreciate art what about the albums that have two to three good songs and the rest are total shit loads of smiths albums are that way why should someone have to spend the money for the whole album when they only want three songs come on people if YOU want to listen to an entire album do it but if I want to listen to three songs then that should be fine to artists if you don’t like it write good albums not good songs

    ~ by Justin 3/14/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • Arse. From the new album I would buy around 9 of the tracks, pretty good going really, but ultimately making me - the consumer - a saving of a pint. As an artist I argue HE should present his work fully so I buy ALL of the tracks. It’s not about art, it’s about music, good music. I don’t buy into all of Salvador Dali works but I like his lobster telephone. Same thing. Don’t be pompous. MAKE me buy the track. Still love you though Garv.

    ~ by Vixen Magestica 4/23/2008

    Reply to this comment


 characters left [+]  


Register now and have your comments approved automatically!

  • Am I the only one that remembers that Beyonce was in Destiny's Child? And that she was never cool? @Gigwise & @NMEMagazine
    VenusInfers on Wed Nov 25 20:46:05 via TwitterRide
  • Awful news RT @Gigwise: Reef To Reunite In 2010 For UK Tour: The band behind 'It's Your Letters'... http://bit.ly/6dXqoo
    thejonford on Wed Nov 25 17:42:14 via Seesmic
  • RT @Gigwise: via @melissacarissa YAY! Reef To Reunite In 2010 For UK Tour: http://bit.ly/6dXqoo <-- Used to be great live..l'm there.
    needlegroove on Wed Nov 25 17:23:03 via HootSuite
  • @achrisevans YAY! RT @gigwise Reef To Reunite In 2010 For UK Tour: The band behind 'It's Your Letters'... http://bit.ly/6dXqoo
    melissacarissa on Wed Nov 25 17:11:18 via web
  • Paul Weller Announces Two Royal Albert Hall Shows For May 2010: Get your tickets through @Gigwise... http://bit.ly/51tCVf
    icklepickle on Wed Nov 25 13:40:03 via web
Artist A-Z   # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z