Art community responds to accusations concerning Ad Litteram
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Thirteen artists, including Catherine Major, Jeff Moran, Reney Ray, Angel Forrest, and Ricky Paquette, have ripped into the business practices of Ad Litteram, a popular music enterprise they've severed ties with or are in the process of doing so. These artists spoke out to Le Devoir to denounce the shady dealings of Ad Litteram, accusing them of false royalty shares, unpaid invoices, and a sore lack of transparency in accounting. Seven of them are on the verge of suing the group.
At the helm of Ad Litteram is Guillaume Lombart, a ruthless entrepreneur who's amassed numerous musical ventures under his belt, such as ATMA Classique, Label Étiquette, and Culture Country.
SODEC, a major funding body, claimed that it granted $260,000 in subsidies to Ad Litteram over the year of 2024-2025, but no complaints have surfaced yet. Johanne Morissette, the director of communications for the organization, stated that they will conduct a thorough investigation if the accusations against the label are proven to have any merit.
Musicaction, which doled out over $600,000 to Ad Litteram in 2023-2024, has remained tight-lipped about the fiasco. They have, however, announced that they are taking the allegations seriously and are taking steps to maintain the integrity of their program, with the primary focus of boosting the careers of artists.
The Union des artistes (UDA) is calling on public funders of the music industry to better protect the interests of artists when granting subsidies to record labels. "Something needs to change," urges UDA's vice-president, Pierre-Luc Brillant. "We're going to make sure that the artists linked to the company Ad Litteram get the help they need and deserve."
Negotiations between UDA and Ad Litteram to sign a collective agreement were futile. "It's not a coincidence that Guillaume Lombart is unwilling to incorporate a collective agreement," says Brillant. "We're examining our options to offer the artists affiliated with Ad Litteram the assistance they deserve."
Florence K, a singer under Ad Litteram's label, has broken her silence, expressing her sympathy for the affected artists. "As much as I'm bound by confidential contractual agreements with Ad Litteram, I hope to soon be able to sever these ties and move forward in a manner that is equitable and respectful to my career and artistic vision."
Several artists have taken a stand against Ad Litteram. Sara Dufour, who hosted the Gala Country, announced that she would no longer be involved. Veronique Labbe, Karo Laurendeau, Guillaume Lafond, and the group Lendemain de veille have publicly declared their intentions to boycott the 2025 edition of the event. Labbe, a singer-songwriter who's also a concert promoter and producer, expressed regret that she had to take this action.
As tensions between artists and producers in the audiovisual industry rise, it begs the question: Who truly benefits from state-funded culture?
Breaking Down the Drama Surrounding Ad Litteram
In the wake of the explosive allegations levied against Ad Litteram, artists are banding together in a bid to highlight the practices they claim have been plaguing the music industry for years. The artists, led by the Union des artistes (UDA), are demanding a review and possible adjustment of the current model, which, in their view, leaves artists vulnerable to exploitation.
Accusations against Ad Litteram range from falsely-claimed royalty shares, unpaid invoices, and a lack of transparency in accounting. Seven artists have filed or are planning to file lawsuits against the company, and it's clear that the music business is hanging in the balance.
As investigations ensue, the UDA has hinted at a potential collective agreement for musicians working with record labels like Ad Litteram. This agreement may include measures aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring artists are fairly compensated for their work.
Time will tell what the future holds for Ad Litteram and the industry as a whole, but in the meantime, let's hope the UDA's call for action brings about lasting change and ensures our artists are given the support they deserve.
- As the drama surrounding Ad Litteram unfolds, social media platforms are abuzz with discussions about the practices plaguing the music industry, with artists sharing their experiences and lamenting the alleged shady dealings in the field.
- Caught in the crossfire, pop-culture enthusiasts and bookworms alike are closely following developments in the case, with bookings about entertainment and the music industry seeing a surge in readership.
- Meanwhile, celebrities and critics alike are weighing in on the unfolding saga, with many on the side of the artists, calling for transparency and fair compensation in the music industry, and some even exploring the broader implications for pop-culture and its effect on social-media discourse.
