Alan Fitzpatrick
I want to address the issue that has arisen from the TNT Sofa Sessions project set up by some tour managers. A video montage created by TNT has created some controversy. I cannot speak for the other DJ's involved but to put this into context from my point of view. I was asked by my TM to do a brief video, saying that this group of TM's had done a bunch of DJ mixes to kill some time while at home and to do something creative for people to listen to. I was asked to post it on my socials to give it more reach and to give the swipe up link to download these mixes from Bandcamp.
I did not provide a mix for this. Simple as that. I have not been involved in this project beyond the video I recorded for my tour manager. I was entirely under the impression that this was a creative venture for charitable causes and at no point was I asked to be involved in a campaign to help raise money for TM's.
To clarify, there is no scheme where DJ's are asking fans and the general public to pay TM salaries. Quite frankly this would be an absolutely horrific thing to do and I don’t know anybody stupid enough to do that.
I would also like to point out that I did not see the montage video before it was made public, but having now seen it, I can understand how people have misinterpreted it. The way they have combined the montage of clips and presented the venture has clearly come across the wrong way. "Support" "donate" "help" being massively wrong key words to use. I think the reactions of the likes of John Askew, Dave Clarke, Maceo Plex, Cassy and others would have been totally valid, if the true intention was to encourage the public to pay TM wages.
It saddens me that so many people, including my colleagues in the industry have taken this at face value, without even questioning it. It saddens me also that people who know me have lumped me in with asking the public to do something which is quite honestly ridiculous.
I don’t feel obliged to discuss mine or my TM's financial matters on a public forum but what I will say is that I am far from being a millionaire or one of the worlds "richest DJs". Just like any other small business owner, I have several permanent staff that I continue to pay throughout this difficult time and just like everyone else, I'm trying to do what I can with the resources I have.
Im absolutely gutted to have been put in this position. TNT Sofa Session team are trying to rectify this situation and will issue their own statement to the public.
As a side note, I have seen numerous comments saying that people should raise money and donate to people who need it and our care workers, rather that TM's and "rich DJ's" and I couldn't agree more. Anyone that follows me will know I have been doing my best to raise money for the NHS and frontline workers by doing various campaigns, I have family working in ICU on the frontline and I'm happy to say we have raised thousands so far and proud of it.
This is a difficult time for everyone. Please stop jumping to conclusions without knowing facts and judging others online.
Thats all I have to say on the matter. Stay safe!
