Singer-songwriter Stevie Knipe, who records and performs under the name Adult Mom, has accused American indie label Tiny Engines, who released their albums Momentary Lapse of Happily (2015) and Soft Spots (2017), of a breach of contract over royalty payments.
Taking to Twitter to explain the situation, Knipe said they signed a two-album contract with Tiny Engines back in 2015 which detailed that the label supply royalty statements twice a year and subsequent payment.
However, Knipe alleges that from 2015 up until May 2018, they received no statements nor royalty payments.
“After asking multiple times for statements over the years, they finally sent one at the pressure and request of my manager,” wrote Knipe.
“The statement detailed that they had owed us over 7,000 dollars (closer to 8k). It took them until December of 2018 to pay out that royalty statement.
“Since then, they have been sporadic and irresponsible with payment schedules and statements. I have had to remind them frequently for payments and statements, and furthermore have had to convince them to do second pressings of our records that were out of stock.”
https://twitter.com/adultmomband/status/1193213514128732160
Knipe also pointed out that the contract gave over the rights to their album masters to Tiny Engines for life, and when they attempted to get ownership of their masters back from the label, being told by owner Chuck Daley there was “no way that would happen.”
Knipe says the label have since ignored their team’s attempts to communicate, and paints Tiny Engines’ business model as “Take advantage of the non men on your label and attempt to manipulate them while stealing the money they make to keep your failing business afloat.”
Since posting the statement, other indie artists have thrown their support behind Knipe and Adult Mom and shared similar experiences.
Mannequin Pussy, who released their first two albums Gypsy Pervert (2014) and Romantic (2016) through Tiny Engines, retweeted the thread, adding “This all sounds very familiar.”
This all sounds very familiar. https://t.co/5gcrrU2NPn
— MP (@mannequinpussy) November 9, 2019
Tiny Engines are yet to respond to the statement.
