JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Renowned songwriter and composer Denny Chasmala recently shared a heartwarming anecdote about the respectful attitude of cafe musicians who seek permission to perform his songs. According to Denny, this simple gesture signifies a profound appreciation for the work of a songwriter.
“A regular cafe band, or any cafe band for that matter, often plays my songs. And they still have the respect to ask for permission, saying, ‘Om Dencas, we perform your songs every Saturday and Sunday when we play. Thank you,’” Denny recounted during an interview in the Senayan area of Central Jakarta.
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What particularly impressed him was that these cafe musicians even offered to pay royalties for using his compositions. However, Denny graciously declined their offers.
“‘How much should we pay?’ I would reply, ‘Oh no.’ I’d ask them, ‘How much are you getting paid?’ They would explain. If what they earn isn’t enough, and they can’t give me anything without struggling, then there’s no need to pay,” Denny explained.
For Denny, affectionately known as Dencas, the mere act of seeking permission from these musicians is a significant form of respect and acknowledgment for his craft as a songwriter.
“But the fact that you, these cafe bands, even ask for permission, for me, that’s already a form of appreciation,” Denny stated.
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Nevertheless, he added a caveat: should these cafe musicians begin earning significantly more, he hopes they will remember to compensate the songwriters whose work they perform.
“But again, this only applies to cafe bands. If the band is getting paid more, remember me,” Denny added.
As a token of his appreciation for the cafe musicians’ respectful behavior, Denny even shared screenshots of their message exchanges on Instagram, showcasing the moments when they directly sought his permission. These interactions highlight the value Denny places on ethical practices and mutual respect within the music industry, especially concerning copyright and intellectual property.
Ringkasan
Denny Chasmala shared an anecdote about cafe musicians seeking permission to perform his songs, which he views as a sign of respect for his work as a songwriter. These musicians even offered to pay royalties, although Denny often declined, especially if their earnings were modest. He appreciates the gesture of asking permission more than monetary compensation in many cases.
Denny considers seeking permission a valuable form of appreciation and acknowledgment. While he usually waives royalties for cafe bands with limited income, he hopes they will consider compensating songwriters if their earnings significantly increase. Denny has also shared screenshots of these permission requests on Instagram, highlighting the importance of ethical practices within the music industry.