Pink Floyd's Nick Mason has spoken out about how U2's Apple deal 'backfired'and why the payments from Spotify are currently 'pathetic'.
In an interview with GQ, Nick Mason discussed his opinions on the U2/Apple debacle, and what it means for the music industry, particularly for new artists.
Mason prefaces his remarks by stating that had Pink Floyd been offered a similar deal, they would have taken it. 'Let me be completely clear about my position: if Apple had come to me and said, 'Nick, we want to release your album in exchange for £50m', I couldn't have thought of a better idea.'
Although wanting to make it clear that this he is certainly not anti-U2, Mason does however feel that automatically inserting Songs Of Innoncence 'backfired'. "It's made everyone think again about how they want their music delivered, given or sold. [...]it highlights a vital aspect to the whole idea of music in the 21st century.'
He also feels that U2 unfortunately didn't receive the negative press that U2 were subject to regaridng the release. 'What's also interesting is that Apple seem to have got off scot-free. No-one's blaming them. Apple has done great things, but it has also contributed to the devaluation process."
Mason also said that the rise of streaming services is a concern. "iTunes is already beginning to look rather passé, and instead it's Spotify that looks like the future. What we need is another two or three billion people using it, then it would make more sense for musicians. At the moment, the pay-out, particularly for unknowns and only slightly-knowns is… pathetic."
Read the full piece at GQ where Mason discusses further his thoughts on the Division Bell, his love of cars and why he agrees with Gallagher brothers on wondering why people would rather spend money on Starbucks rather than songs.
