One leaked video is not a reason to sue a fan

Just a few days ago the new, but yet to be released video, of an artist I used to admire leaked. I don’t know who leaked it, or how it got out before its official release date, but it was readily available on the webwaves, and quickly went viral. People retweeted it on Twitter, reblogged it on Tumblr, posted it on forums and blogs and emailed links to everyone they thought would want to see it. I saw the video, it was pretty good, nothing over-the-top spectacular, but worked with the song.

I just want to preface this post with the fact that I used to absolutely LOVE this artist, she was one of my teen idols, and I thought she was amazing, until she lost it. I’m actually listening to one of her band’s old albums from the 90’s right now and I still know every word off by heart.

Anyway, this artist in question has a bad habit of opening Twitter accounts, posts nearly unintelligible posts like a maniac, and then closes her account for a few months. She always pops back up again, just like she has done recently. As soon as she learnt that her new video had leaked she, and her current entourage, started to attack people who had either posted the video somewhere, or who had retweeted it. Threatened to sue these people if they didn’t not only take the video down immediately, but also if they didn’t tell where they actually got the video from.

So what’s the deal people? Why are you going after the fans who are spreading the video because they love you as an artist? Why not look in the right direction, towards your “inner circle” to see who actually had access to the HD version of the final cut, as this is the person who probably leaked the video. Threatening to sue a bunch of people who are still, after all the shit they had to put up with you, your fans is just stupid. Maybe if you spent a little time trying to fix all those good ties and connections you used to have with people instead of tweeting inane rants about nothing, then a lot of us would regain a little of the respect and love we used to have for you.

Makes me SO angry.

I buy most of the music I own, unless it is given to me. I go to a lot of shows, I buy merchandise. But I WILL watch a leaked video if I am given the chance. Doesn’t mean I won’t buy the song if it’s any good once it comes out.

This week's playlist (08/11/2011) - Nostalgia!

90's flashback time... Memories of summer holidays in England, biking the 6 miles and back between Empingham and Manton, working in the pub, hanging out in the graveyard writing poetry, Shakespeare at Tolethorpe, MTV, Real World London (Neil!), walking round Rutland Water, wearing the usual uniform of Doc Martens, colourful laces, ripped jeans and band t-shirts... Jumping in fountains in Grenoble, smoking cigarettes in the school courtyard, crying my eyes out when Kurt died, screaming along to Hole in the car, smoking joints in the park, running to the other school nearby on every break because there were more cute boys with long hair there than in my school...
Reminisce...

Nirvana: Milk It
Alice In Chains: Junkhead
Stiltskin: Inside
Therapy?: Die Laughing
Hole: Jennifer's Body
Pearl Jam: Black
L7: Andres
Sonic Youth: Drunken Butterfly
Gun: Word Up
Skunk Anansie: I Can Dream
Nine Inch Nails: Piggy
The Cure: Friday I'm in Love
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Red Right Hand
Candlebox: Far Behind
The Breeders: Divine Hammer

This one is for Rebecca Marcenac, Shannon Jackson and Andrew Cook.