I know that this is a blog about Clay Aiken.  However, sometimes there are important stories and events that need to be shared.  The following is one of the most sad and puzzling stories in a long time.

At about 11:30 pm, August 8th, London rioters looted and burned the Sony DADC distribution warehouse in Enfield,  just north of London.  The facilities is also used by PIAS and 150 different record labels.   The facility was essentially leveled and the  merchandise was largely stolen or melted.  The following statement was released early Tuesday morning by the Association of Independent Music (AIM).

To all music fans:

You may have heard that the London riots have caused the destruction of a warehouse in North London housing many of the UK’s independent labels and artists. All the stock has been destroyed by fire. 

This will lead to much hardship for the artists and labels affected. What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers in the UK, as well as going to their local record store while stocks last.

This way, the labels will be able to remanufacture their CD’s and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots.

Alison Wenham, Chairman and CEO of AIM, the UK’s Trade Association for the Independent Music Industry: “This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans’ help, labels and artists will survive. Please show your support for the music community by buying a digital album from an independent label today”.

The Association of Independent Music (AIM)

musicindie.com, info@musicindie.com, facebook.com/aim

I read about this on Wednesday, but I really didn’t understand the scope of the event until I did a bit of research.  I just didn’t know who or what was destroyed.  I hope the following will help you understand.

There are two major companies that are listed as the businesses that were burned out.  The first is PIAS.

PIAS is an international licensing, distribution, sales and marketing company for premium music, film and comedy.  The building was the main warehouse for  PIAS and contained 3.2 million of its CDs and vinyl units from the 150-plus indie labels before the stock went up in flames.

Nick Hartley is the chief operating officer of PIAS Entertainment Group.  He said:

Our key focus at the moment is to get things re-manufactured and we are working with our labels on the best way of doing that is — identifying which lines are turning over the fastest and getting them to start re-manufacturing again.

The other company housed in the building is Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation – Sony DADC .  This company is a manufacturer of compact discs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs.  It primarily services Sony-owned record labels but  it also manufactures discs for other labels.  Sony DADC now manufactures the majority of compact discs sold in the United States.

The warehouse that was destroyed was Sony’s main distribution facility for London and stored packaged movies, video games, and blank CD, DVD, and Blu-ray media. The loss of the multi-story building and all of the stored inventory is estimated to be tens of millions of dollars.

But…there is good news too.  It seems that this tragedy is bringing help from other companies and music fans too.

A new project called LabelLove has already been constructed.   Their aim is to try and rally the music industry, both on the artist and the audience sides, and see if they can raise some money to see those affected through the tough times ahead. There are so many independent acts that had their CD’s at this site.  They don’t have the huge record labels watching their backs.  They need help and support.

According to The Guardian and Observer:

Twitter users are already encouraging music fans to buy some of the labels’ music digitally, to provide them with much-needed revenue in the face of a situation which could well prove terminal for some.

It certainly seems like a great way to support the musicians who will not have their CD’s in the stores when they expected to.

Although this is mostly a problem for Britain, the rest of the world will also feel the results of this event.  Sony DADC now manufactures the majority of compact discs sold in the United State.

I just think how we would all feel if this building had stored a new CD by Clay Aiken.  Can you imagine how disappointed we would be if the CDs were all melted and not available to purchase.

I am still trying to understand why people feel the need to destroy places that help the economy.  Yes, times are difficult, but it seems to me that the riots only make it worse….(of course, what do I know).