Indie Boss Slams Myspace

Martin Mills, the boss of the influence Beggars group of record labels, has issued a new statement slamming the new Myspace Music service for launching without signing up independent labels.

Myspace Music launched in the US yesterday (September 24th) and will be rolled out in the UK soon. However, only the 'big four' major labels are signed up - and Mills claims that no push was made to involve independent labels. The Beggars group controls Rough Trade, Too Pure, XL and Matador amongst other labels, and so can be regarded as a major voice in the independent music community, with signings including Radiohead and The White Stripes.

Mills statement says:

"It is both disappointing and astonishing that MySpace, built on the music of independent artists and labels, should, now it has the majors as partners, choose to launch without those that have been at its heart, and whilst treating independents as second class citizens.

"The service's independent content, sadly, appears to constitute only the independent distribution arms of the majors by virtue of their deals with their parents, and the orchard.

"We, however, believe that independent music and artists are worth every cent as much as that of the majors, and will not be supporting this potentially exciting new service until we see fair play."

Myspace Music have yet to respond to the accusation.