Spotify is in everybody’s thoughts these days, everyone is commenting about the effect of the streaming service on the music industry, but some people should abstain talking instead of saying such nonsense… Blink 182’s guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge gave an interview to Faster Louder and when he mentioned Spotify, he came up with the most ridiculous comparison:
‘I tell people condoning streaming is like condoning the Chinese that are killing elephants for their tusks and carving ivory statues. It’s cool to put on your shelf but if you really think about what you’re doing it sucks. Streaming music is doing the same thing to artists – might not be killing ’em but it’s killing the industry. It might be cool for you as somebody that likes music but you’re not really thinking about the effect it has. We’ve got to value our art, you know?’
Err, what is he talking about? First Spotify is the equivalent of killing elephants, but it’s not really killing? Then, only artists are suffering from streaming services, not labels (the music industry) which got a big deal with Spotify, so the music industry is not really dying and successful bands like his should not be suffering too much from streaming. As a matter of fact Blink 182’s music is on Spotify, so why doesn’t he remove it if it is that damaging? Thom Yorke is against Spotify and you don’t find his music there, and I am not even talking about the recent Taylor Swift’s withdrawal.
But I am really offended that Delonge — whose band is very probably making money from Spotify streaming — is comparing this possible dent in his income to the killing and suffering of these majestic mammals,… but what should anyone be surprised? it is as dumb as any of Blink 182’s lyrics… I would like to say just shut up and play, but I don’t necessarily want hear more of his Weezer-wannabe fake punk music.
