Just read an interesting article here about the Black Keys’ refusal to make their new album ‘El Camino’ available for streaming on Spotify. According to Keys drummer Patrick Carney, “for a band that makes a living selling music, it’s not at a point where it’s feasible for us”.

The article points out that it takes about 64 streams to equal one 99-cent iTunes purchase, and this has prompted artists such as Adele, Coldplay, and Tom Waits to keep their new albums off Spotify, at least for the first few months following release.

Spotify has responded that the company continues to make concerted efforts to create a forum for music via social media (hence their partnership with Facebook) and foster live music (free shows they have sponsored at Mercury Lounge in New York City over the summer). But while some artists praise the service for embracing the new cloud reality, others oppose the miniscule Spotify payouts in relation to payouts generated from the more traditional digital purchase model.

The debate as to whether Spotify is a benefit or harm to artists continues. We’d be interested to hear your thoughts…post them on the D’Eith and Company and/or Adagio Music Facebook pages.

- Kurt Dahl, Dec. 14, 2011

Here’s a little tidbit of info that most of you perhaps didn’t know: D’Eith and Company acts as the head office and records office for over 80 BC companies, ranging from incorporated bands/artists, studios, management companies, record labels, and corporate holding companies.

Why would you want to incorporate your business entity you ask? The first answer is tax benefits. As an example, if you are in a band and are starting to generate income consistently on a monthly basis, you may be able to achieve significant tax breaks by writing off your band expenses (and there is never a shortage of those) against any income made. If you are a management company or record label, these benefits are magnified.

The second benefit is the limited liability provided by incorporation. So if your band/studio/management company gets sued for whatever reason, you as an individual will be safe from liability, i.e. the liability stays with the corporation. If your business entity is making any sort of profit on a regular basis, this benefit cannot be overstated.

The costs to incorporate are completely reasonable, and Kurt can explain all the benefits and provide advice based on your specific situation over the phone. Once he has all the relevant info, you could be incorporated in a matter of weeks, and start making the most of your business in no time.

Give us a shout at 604-675-6227 to discuss, we’d be glad to help.

- Kurt Dahl, Dec. 7, 2011