#1091: Believe it or not, when I say I won’t “share” files, I mean it!

RECORD STORE TALES #1091: Believe it or not, when I say I won’t “share” files, I mean it!

I get that not everybody collects music the way we do.  I get that, to some people, music isn’t really something physical that deserves their hard earned dollars.  I truly do understand.  I have lots of friends like that.

What I don’t understand is why any of these people would approach a perfect stranger like me, and ask me for free music out of my collection.

This is a problem I’ve had since I started posting my writings in 2012.  The first song that excited the internet about my collection was the download-only “Trooper” by Iron Maiden, recorded live in 2005 from the Eddie Rips Up the World tour, in Reykjavik, Iceland.  I made the mistake of sending the file to the first person who asked, thinking I would earn myself a loyal reader.  Instead all I earned were dozens of messages from similar people wanting free music.  Eventually I took the review down and reposted it, so they’d all have dead links.

Pro tip:  None of these people turned into loyal readers.

Most recently, in February, one asshole named Gaby asked for my Deadline mini-album from 1992.  There were copies available on Discogs, but he wasn’t interested in anything that wasn’t free.  He informed me he was one of the “best music collectors in the world”, but apparently he only collected files?  When I refused (and informed him that he had two bands with the same name confused), he proceeded to “thumb-down” bomb my YouTube channel, and told me I am “not good to live“.  Thanks, cheapskate.  Blocked!

The most recent offender, from Brazil, contacted me on Instagram, after finding my Instagram account on my “About” page.  This is what it says on my “About” page, two lines below the Instagram link:

NOTES: Nothing seen on this website is for sale, trade or barter.  I will not share files as I value the good relations I have with the artists.  Check Discogs for other copies.

He had to see that to get to the Instagram link.  He then sent the following message (name edited out):

“Friend”…just like Gaby addressed me.  I’m starting to think that word means nothing anymore.  Always cool to discover music that you like on YouTube, but….

I informed him that my copy of Harem Scarem’s self titled debut was not for sale (it’s autographed!) but there were lots on Discogs.  Not good enough!

FLAC or WAV file?  Would you like my butler to hand deliver it to your inbox while we’re at it?  I notice a lot of these music freebie guys are looking for lossless files, but are not willing to shell out $7 for a CD.  He’ll burn his own CD, but won’t pay for an actual copy?  He can’t like the music that much, I guess.  Additionally, the album is available on iTunes.

He never responded to my message, where I advised him that there were cheap copies on Discogs.  Shipping to Brazil can’t be much worse than shipping in Canada, and you don’t see me asking people for freebies.  I even suggested that, if he likes the music, he could choose to support the band by buying the music directly from them.

I will state it again, for the record, though I should not have to:  Do not ask me for free music.  You will not get it, and you will have to put up with me lecturing you about it!

The sad thing is that this guy will ask for the tracks again and again until someone gives them away.  Not me, at least.

49 comments

  1. The word “friend” does have a meaning. It’s definition is: me, Harrison, Deke, Aaron, Richard Dreyfus, Lana, etc.

    I changed that part of Noirison Ch. II you asked me to change if Harrison hadn’t told you yet. I think I found a nice workaround there. Also, I was wondering if I could cash in on the Christmas review request you said I could have right before you quit reviewing this year, now that you’re back and better than ever.

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  2. For those that don’t want to buy physical albums by the band, keep in mind that part of the reason (or maybe entirely) why concert tickets are so expensive nowadays is because people aren’t buying their music anymore. These artists basically make a living from touring and performing.

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        2. There are definitely perks to small venues / small clubs, especially for a younger band because they had more freedom back then. Smaller venues are more intimate too. I envy those that got to see AC/DC and Def Leppard in small clubs because they were young and hungry back then.

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    2. Good point Lana! Tickets for bigger names are way too expensive. And dynamic pricing is just robbery. I much rather buy lots of used cds instead. How about u?

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      2. Well, personally I’d do a mix of used and new CDs. As long as the new CDs are at a decent price. As for concerts, there are bands that I really want to see live, but because ticket prices are insane, I have to be picky about which concerts I want to attend.

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        4. Yeah, I buy new releases too. If I see a used CD that’s in good condition, then I buy it. However, if it’s an album that I don’t think I can find used, then I buy it online. Six of my Lynyrd Skynyrd albums are from Amazon. One is from Ebay. Did you check out the new Rolling Stones album yet, by the way?

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        1. Fortunately you can still buy mp3 files on iTunes. There is still the odd exclusive bonus track.

          One time a guy messaged me and asked me for files, and I did agree. I said “Let me know your email,” and he responded, “Please only send FLAC.” I was like…”I don’t have a way of making them.” He sent me a link to download some software and I was like, “nope…already too much effort for nothing.”

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  4. I’m not a digital music guy at all. All I own are physical copies I bought and paid for. A lot from bands directly.
    I have traded a digital file exactly 1 time. A Discogs member saw I had a cd copy (one of 50) and asked me to share the file with him, and being new to Discogs I figured there would be no harm.
    WRONG!!!
    After I shared, he contacted the artist, who then contacted me to inform me this was her early material that she was embarrassed about, and did not want it getting out there. Then he shamed me in the comments section on the Discogs page, where her other fans shamed me as well.
    I learned my lesson. Never share files.

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    1. Thanks for this lesson Bop. This is EXACTLY why I don’t “share” files. Also, I hate the word “share” in this instance. It’s really making a copy and sending it illegally.

      Again, thanks for this lesson. Hard lesson to learn.

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  5. iTunes as software is discontinued but yes Apple Music still exists and one can purchase music on one’s phone (I still do this when there is no physical release or I don’t want to pay a very high late tax). I am still able to use iTunes on my old laptop although it’s increasingly wonky and I don’t use it as much as I used to since the iPod is discontinued as well so I now have a Sony Walkman MP3 player.  As for Mike’s post, I generally agree, although since friend means something to me too I would make a distinction between sharing with them and everyone else, although in actual practice most of my friends don’t ask anymore (some are into LP’s now, others just listen to streaming services, etc.) Henry 

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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    1. I don’t know if it is discontinued as software, because I have to boot up the software to buy things from the store. But I’m not an Apple guy, I don’t know. I just buy the odd bonus track. And I usually have to go through a whole rigamarole of resetting my password to get in.

      I also use a Sony Walkman MP3 player! I got a new one for Christmas last year!

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      1. Well, they’re not doing any more updates of iTunes as fas I know and I’m not sure if one can still install it on a new laptop anymore. I’m glad to still have it, anyway. But yes, I prefer to buy directly from either the artist like Blaze or label and have used bandcamp to buy not only downloads but even limited edition CD’s.

        Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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        1. Side note: I don’t want to upgrade and get a new computer… too much software is no longer available! Without Windows Movie Maker, I cannot make videos.

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    1. Thank you. I realize that buying from the artist isn’t always financially viable. I want the new Beaches CD. Chris at Encore told me you can only get it through them, at a show or at their store. (WHY? THEY ARE HUGE RIGHT NOW!) Well, shipping on the CD cost more than the CD itself.

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        2. Good news for you. They play Centre in the Square Thurs Oct. 26.

          Pro tip. Tell the door person you just want to buy merch and they usually let you in for a few minutes to buy it. They sometimes escort you or make you leave id with them.

          Or maybe you can go.

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