Free Fiona Apple Campaign

Fiona Apple enjoyed platinum success with her first two albums, 1996's 'Tidal' and 2000's 'When the Pawn Ö', but the release of her third record is being delayed by Sony Music because in the words of Producer Jon Brion, it lacks "an obvious single." The album, entitled 'Extraordinary Machine', has been complete since May of 2003 but Sony/BMG music has opted not to release it.

In response, a campaign for the release of the album has been launched. A website (FreeFiona.com) is urging all the Fiona-heads out there to mail apples, of the plastic and real variety, to Sony Music CEO Andrew Lack. FreeFiona founder Dave Muscato is clearly incensed at Sony's focus on the bottom line:

"Sony has a responsibility to their shareholders, but they also have a very important responsibility to the art of music itself. They should focus on the real problem - file sharing - and not some short-sighted and very harmful way to raise profits. The major labels have a very real advantage over indies in industry influence and distribution power, but Sony and the other majors are abusing that power. It's not right, and they know it. And sooner or later, they're going to pay for it in sales. People are tired of being force-fed pop music."

The FreeFiona website has been active just two weeks, but has enjoyed broad exposure in that short time span. The website includes an online petition, as well as directions as to how to donate money to the cause. Apparently they have received $385.56 thus far, with a fundraising goal set at $8, 825. The money will reportedly go towards purchasing t-shirts for campus crews, flyers and plastic apples for campus events such as the one being organized at the University of Missouri. It makes you wonder what would happen if a Neil Diamond release was postponed?