APM 2023 Candidate Statements

Peter Thoms

I am seeking re-election to the Board after an active and successful 3 years.

As both a featured and non-featured performer member of PPL, I have always taken a vital interest in the processes by which artists and musicians are paid.

Background:
– Founder member of the band Landscape (“Einstein A-Go Go” fame) signed only last year with Cooking Vinyl who have released a 5 CD Box Set Landscape A-Go-Go
– The NorthStar label has released 6 albums under my own name.
– Session player for artists such as Marvin Gaye, Inspirational Choir, Pete Townshend, Boomtown Rats, Kylie Minogue, LCGC, Tina Turner, Thomas Dolby, Swing Out Sister, Beautiful South, Midnight Oil and many others.
– Co-MD of Channel 4 Black Gospel show “The People Get Ready Show”
– Director of Pamra, serving until 2003 when I joined the Musicians Union as Session Offi cial. Regularly attending recording sessions at Abbey Road, Air Lyndhurst and elsewhere. While at the MU I was a regular attendee at the PPL Performer Board until 2018.

To be most effective on behalf of performers I draw on the knowledge I gained through those years, especially the relationships, agreements and difficulties involved.

Activities:
– While at the MU I constantly liaised with orchestra managements, archivists, fixers, players and choirs to ensure the orchestral & session sector was properly remunerated. I have continued this work in my PPL guise, establishing relationships with most of the major orchestras.
– I lobbied successfully for the re-instatement of a Classical Specialist at PPL – George Prince is now in that role.
– I continue to press for labels to provide more complete line-ups on new registrations.
– I pushed for Film Score soundtrack adjustments in favour of the session players and singers.
– With the success PPL has achieved increasing overseas revenue, I have continued my interest in eff orts to further increase monies to be recovered from overseas CMOs for UK product. My tours and recording in Japan, Europe and USA and my Australian connections have given me an appreciation of the challenges and solutions.
– The lack of broadcasting royalties from Australia and New Zealand for both UK session players and artists is a huge concern and I am heavily involved in trying to put this right.
– I support the campaign to recover performer money from streaming services where they are eff ectively acting as radio broadcasters.
– I have been asking for royalties held in Europe for UK performers on production music to be collected and paid to performers. I now see this being achieved.
– I regularly raise the issue of Sampling and the rights of the artists and musicians whose performances have been used in the resulting new product.
– AI will need careful monitoring

We live in challenging times where consumers are accessing music in ways that could impact on the revenue you receive from PPL. I wish to continue to ensure your interests as performers are protected and your income maximized.