Dead artists

[Tommy Carlsson]

Here's a question, parts of it mainly for record label people, but anyway. What are your experiences of releasing material by dead artists?

I think the only such situation we have encountered with Segerhuva must be the Death Squad + Hydra side of a split 10" we did, and that is not really entirely true either. Greg Scott was still alive when the record came out, and for all I know he received his artists copies, which were sent to him via Michael of Death Squad. We never heard from him, and then the news hit that he had popped off.

But what about releasing material by artists that are dead and gone? What is fair game? Who gets artists copies/royalties? Is it fair game if you have already released material by the artist, or it's a straight up reissue? Do we care?

Curious to hear others' thoughts on this.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I feel this is a tricky question. In one hand, I think blatant grave robbing is not too good, but in other hand, there are bands who's legacy is too valuable to be lost. There has been some Atrax Morgue out after he died. I guess possibly from masters that were sent. Final Solution got released after G.Scott was gone. MSBR stuff has been done. And so on.

I think some sort of good taste should be used. Following the visual representation that is connected with artist. Contacting the closest possible people who artists used to work. etc. I think in case of for example re-issue, such thing as asking license from label who put out original tape, would be honorable act. I'm thinking of cases such as Monde Bruits and M.S.B.R. for example. I would say these things could be done well and with taste. Not like some of the bootlegs. With cheapest covers, with worst material, with highest price. What a sign of respect.

[catharticprocess]

If the artist plainly expressed an interest in his art not being able to be owned, and was openly fond of bootlegs, downloading, and tape-trading (perhaps to the degree of knowingly participating in it), then perhaps then I think it could be justified. Otherwise, I think it should only be done by friends or family who know that the artist would certainly approve without reservation. I'd say all other instances are not legitimate.

[13]

I tend to prefer it when posthumous releases clearly reflect what they are. I have nothing against reissues or even the release of material that was left unfinished or unreleased. But the packaging should somehow reflect that unless the label has the exact instructions as to how it was supposed to be released. A great example is the Urashima reissues Atrax Morgue's early material, where the info sheet clearly explains the situation and the Corbelli family is thanked for their involvement.

[andy vomit]

never mind, should have read the above post

[stealththought]

I'm in the process of releasing a tape by my best friend who passed away nearly three years ago. I had asked him to record some material, and we discussed the artwork that I'd make. Months later he was unexpectedly dead. It's been a hard project to complete obviously, and even with his family's blessing and the profits going to charity, I still feel strange about it.

[blackoperations]

that there is still new muslimgauze material being released now, 15yrs after his death, just blows my mind. he was apparently sending a new DAT tape to staalplaat and/or soleilmoon every single week at one point though. his family definitely receives all his royalties for most if not everything released.

as mikko said, as long as it's done with respect and contact is made with the artist's family, or people and/or acts close to them to discuss and arrange it, then yes, but every time what the artist would probably have wanted should still be considered and not took advantage of because they are no longer here to say, i.e would they want this recording released (if it was unreleased), or would they want this old tape or whatever reissued, etc.