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Digital
Century Media returns to Spotify
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 31 July 2012
Almost exactly a year since it announced that it was pulling all of its content off Spotify, US metal label Century Media has returned its catalogue (along with those of sub-labels InsideOutMusic, Superball Music and People Like You Records) to the streaming platform.
As previously reported, the label issued a statement last August saying that it was “of the opinion that Spotify in its present shape and form isn’t the way forward”, but that the company “also believes that [the streaming service] is a great tool to discover new music” and therefore the label was “in the process of reintroducing our bands to Spotify by way of putting up samplers of our artists”.
But it then added: “Physical sales are dropping drastically in all countries where Spotify is active. Artists are depending on their income from selling music and it is our job to support them to do so. Since the artists need to sell their music to continue their creativity, Spotify is a problem for them. This is about survival, nothing less, and it is time that fans and consumers realise that for artists it is essential to sell music to keep their heads above water”.
However, in a statement yesterday confirming his company would more fully embrace Spotify once again, Don Robertson, President of Century Media’s North American division, told CMU: “We respect that music fans want to have instant access to our catalogue via Spotify. But we also have to consider the rights of our artists. After practicing some due diligence, we’re moving ahead confident that both the artist and the fan are being fairly served by this developing platform”.
Meanwhile Antje Lange, General Manager of the company’s European office added: “Spotify offers great tools to discover new artists. We feel that this is essential for our promising newcomers. In that respect, Spotify gives those artists a very good forum”.
Getting in on the quoting action, Spotify’ Head of Content Steve Savoca also said: “Spotify’s global growth provides a powerful platform for artists to connect directly with our hugely passionate audience. The return of Century Media’s fantastic catalogue is cranking metal music to our ears”.
