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.