Sample examples
Since its founding over a decade ago, Los Angeles-based Stones Throw Records has authored the book on running a responsible, artistically significant label in the digital age. A deep respect for artists and for the process of creation along with a serious commitment to live performance form the core of Stones Throw’s approach; no surprise it produces and promotes some of today’s most vivid independent music.
Those same qualities also facilitate ST’s unique approach to the inevitable intellectual property issues that accompany sample-based music. Apparently open dialogue and a shared sense of purpose can actually supercede outmoded copyright limitations, at least in Stones Throw’s thriving little corner of the music business.
Somewhat related, this just in: Dark Night of the Soul, a significant new record by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, will be distributed solely as a blank CD-R due to the former’s legal issues with EMI stemming from a sampling dispute. For now you can stream it at NPR, or use your googling skills [read: album name + artist name + filesharing service name] to – as a Danger Mouse spokesperson suggested – ‘hear the music, by whatever means.’
