Sampling..

The other day I happened upon this really interesting show, Independent Lens "Copyright Criminals", on OETA (originally aired on Sunday Jan. 24, 2010) about sampling and I've been thinking about it for a while now. It had artists, record-label-folk and others discussing sampling and the effect copyrights were having on the artists who sample and also the artists of the original beats and lyrics or whatever is being sampled. While I in a way understand the O.G. artist feeling like they deserve some sort of compensation for their music being used, be it monetary or just being recognized as a contributor to that song, I don't think it's right to say well, you can use this, but not this or this, because I think that hampers the creative process. Shock G said it best. "What the photographer is to the painter is what the modern producer, D.J., computer musician is to the instrumentalist."

And - I'm going to be kinda paraphrasing here - it's absolutely true that all music comes from other music, whether it just be because the person was strongly influenced by another artist, or taking something that you heard and liked and making it your own. I see it as an homage, or props to the original artist.

When artists paint a tribute to someone who had a prominent effect on what they do or who they are as a person (http://dawgteamonetsy.blogspot.com/2009/10/conceptual-art-painting-tribute-to.html) or a clothes designer designing something in honor of their favorite designer (http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/blog/2009/06/25/the-fashion-show-paying-homage-to-fashion-icons/) you don't see as big of a legal issue, if any, like the legal B.S. surrounding sampling, what you can and can't use, and who you're gonna piss off next. I really don't see hindering art in any form good at all, for the artists or for the fans of art. I hope that someday people stop being so sue-happy, and take a couple of minutes and just..appreciate the work of others, you might actually enjoy it.

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/copyright-criminals/

Well, a name change is in order I suppose.

I've been workin as "Crash Photography" forever, and now I find out that like 20 other photographers do as well. I need some ideas.. haha. If nothing else I can always just be "Megan Kaupke photography" as it's highly unlikely I will ever find anyone else with my name. I hate using my name though, it's hard for people to pronounce haha.



I still have no idea why I started this blog, other than I am extremely bored today.





This last Saturday I went up to Rock Theater, my friend's band 13 cent kill (http://www.myspace.com/13centkill) was playing along with a couple other bands, Sik (http://www.myspace.com/sikband) and Chronicles of Mayhem(http://www.myspace.com/chroniclesofmayhem) It was 13 cent's last show with their current guitarist, and it went amazingly. Sik and Chronicles of Mayhem are great bands to check out as well, I would definitely go see them both again. Sad news, I heard Rock Theater is closing. It was my first time to go to a show there, and the venu is one of the best I've been to in Oklahoma. Great sound, great lights and lots of room. I'm hoping that it doesn't actually close, Rock Theater's lighting is fantastic for taking pictures.