mvm.

Now, as many of you know, I don’t often divert my blog into political tangents of awkward silences and hot topics I don’t really understand but when it starts hitting home with similar associates to where you work in the industry, you can’t really avoid the devastating news that we’re going through right now with Ukraine and Russia.

This comes after UK collection society, PRS For Music (the adult organisation I work in collaboration with) “formally suspended, with immediate effect” its rights representation agreement with its Russia-based counterpart – the Russian Authors’ Society RAO.

However, it seems oddly unusual for the organisation to act out on its own as opposed to being on a more globalised effort to doing so. But still, the focus for the artistry is not expected to falter with PRS as they went on in their statement;

“IT IS NOT OUR DESIRE TO PUNISH THE RUSSIAN COMPOSER, SONGWRITER AND PUBLISHER COMMUNITIES WHO SUPPORT PEACE, AND WE WILL WORK WITH THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF PROTEST.”

This comes shortly after music streaming global service, Spotify closes its offices in Russia but remains “operational in Russia to allow the flow of information” which is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

These major movements from major collaborators and investors may have an adverse affect on international agreements and could potentially steer further sanctions on Russia’s corporate structure. It’s important to note though that as Russian civilians themselves, many chose a voice to protest to avoid this war and so the Russian artists would not be punished, as they shouldn’t be.

It’s unfortunate to understand that all these sanctions and grievances against Russia won’t hurt Putin’s pocket at all – thanks to his corrupt war chest – but it will snake down the chain to the people. The people who need it most.

Another unjust reason for the pure lunacy and devastation of such an idea like war. God rest the souls we have lost and may this heartache not go on for any longer than it needs to be.