There’s a reason FMC is so often aligned with independent labels: this community, representing a diverse array of genres and business models, typically does right by artists. Today’s news that more than 700 indies are backing fair treatment of musicians is further proof that indies have a different way of doing business than major labels.

Independent imprints including Domino, Cooking Vinyl, Epitaph, Glassnote, Nettwerk, Ninja Tune, Secretly Canadian, Saddle Creek, Sub Pop, Tommy Boy, XL Recordings and the Beggars Group (which includes indie powerhouses 4AD, Matador and Rough Trade) and many more signed on to the “Fair Digital Deals Declaration,” a commitment by the labels to treat artists fairly and equitably on today’s digital distribution platforms.

[UPDATE: you can also visit the LabelLove website to make donations, or email labellovebenefit [at] gmail [dot] com to learn about other ways to help.]

You’ve probably heard about the situation in the UK. If not, turn on CNN or fire up your favorite news site. You may have also heard that in the course of the unrest, a Sony/PIAS distribution warehouse in the Enfield neighborhood of London was burned to the ground. read more

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have an agreement.

News broke today that "pure play" webcasting services (i.e., the bigger online broadcasters who earn the bulk of their revenue through their services) have reached an agreement with SoundExchange — the nonprofit organization that collects and distributes the digital public performance royalty on behalf of performing artists and sound copyright owners (usually the labels). read more