David Byrne calls for transparency from labels and streaming services

The former Talking Heads man has aired his frustrations with the current music business model, and said Apple Music refused to disclose their royalty calculations on his own music

David Byrne has called for more transparency from major labels and streaming services, criticising the lack of information regarding how they pay royalties and what percentage of these reach the artists.

"Many streaming services are at the mercy of the record labels (especially the big three: Sony, Universal and Warner), and nondisclosure agreements keep all parties from being more transparent," wrote the former Talking Heads man in an op-ed piece for the New York Times. He went on to reveal that he had tried to get Apple Music to break down their royalty calculations over their three-month trial period, only to be told that he would have to get his lawyers involved.