ARNOLD CAN’T COMPOSE HIMSELF OVER MP3

The artist, who has worked with the likes of Prince and Bjork, is the latest high-profile star to speak out strongly against MP3 downloads...

Producer and soundtrack composer DAVID ARNOLD, who has worked with a host of names including PRINCE, BJORK and PROPELLERHEADS, is the latest high-profile name in music to speak out against the rapid rise of MP3 Internet downloads, comparing it to car theft and adding “just because the technology is there, doesn’t mean it’s a good thing”.

Speaking exclusively to NME.COM, the man behind recent James Bond themes as well as scores for ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Judge Dredd’, joined a campaign backed by the British Music Rights Association and endorsed by amongst others Paul McCartney and Elton John.

“People should be aware of the craft that is involved in making music,” he said. “Artists spend a lot of time and money putting together their music and they should be rewarded for it. Of course if people hear Paul McCartney and Elton John whinging that they are losing royalties through their music appearing free on the Internet, no one is really going to pay attention. But there are thousands of other musicians in Britain struggling to make ends meet. There are 33,000 musicians and composers working this country and only very few of them make vast amounts.”

Advertisement

When asked if it the rise in MP3 download was not inevitable and required the music industry to face it or face ruin he said;

“Just because the technology is there, doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. You could say the same thing about car theft but people are still trying to stop that. There are many good elements to the Internet – it brings young musicians to a worldwide audience and provides an immediate platform for established people to reach fans if they want to. But there has to be some of means of regulation. Music is a £3.2billion a year industry in the UK and that can’t be lost. You wouldn’t expect a plumber to come round your house, fix everything using years of experience and knowledge and then refuse to pay him.”

Arnold also revealed that he is currently producing tracks for inclusion on the forthcoming album by onetime Tricky partner Martina Topley-Bird and will soon start work on the soundtrack to the Tim Roth andCatherine Deneuve period romp ‘D’Artangnan’.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories