I've recently heard a couple of acts I liked that are on a label called Captured Tracks. I visited the labels website to look into buying some records and noticed that the owner of the label is Mike Sniper. "Could it possibly be THE Mike Sniper of Radio Heartbeat?" I thought to myself. I did some googling and *voila!* it is.
From
http://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/index.php/site/article/blank_dogs_-_collected_by_itself_2006-2009/:
Initially a studio vehicle for Brooklyn underground demigod Mike Sniper, they specialise in minimalist, post-punk informed art-rock. Sniper himself, formerly of punks DC Snipers, has an impressive track record as a fosterer of all things lo-fi and off kilter with the Captured Tracks label, and previously reissued power-pop with Radio Heartbeat.
Now I'm having an ethical quandary. A visit to Radio Heartbeat's Facebook page shows that Tom isn't the only person who has been waiting for records to arrive. All indicators lead me to believe that there haven't been any such issues with Captured Tracks. But I'm not one to knowingly support - directly or indirectly - someone with such a dubious reputation as Mike Sniper. I don't want Sniper's labels getting a single cent from me. But I really want some of these tunes. I do believe in supporting the people whose hard work and creativity produced the music I enjoy so illegal downloads are out of the question. As I said: quandary.
I can't recall any occasion where Tom has requested that listeners not support a business or individual [expressing disdain for say Ricky Gervais is one thing; I've never heard him asking us to not watch/listen/buy whatever Ricky is hawking]. Tom has a legitimate beef with Radio Heartbeat and, in turn, Mike Sniper. Therefore I feel the need to boycott anything that Sniper has his grubby paws on as a sign of solidarity with Tom and the others that Sniper has ripped off. Am I alone on this?
This is more of a vent than anything. I did it hear to:
a. See if anyone has had the same thoughts/feelings
b. Get this info about Sniper out there in hopes that maybe it'll get some ball rolling that leads to Tom and the others getting their records [which wouldn't necessarily change my position on Sniper]
Thanks for reading. I look forward to any thoughts/comments you may have.
