BEYOND THE GATES - STOLEN BY RUSSIAN HACKERS!!

Well sure enough after spending 10 months creating this album, website, CD's, accounts with Twitter, Facebook, SoundCloud, merchandise store (did I mention we sell shirts now!), etc. our album was finally available for download and streaming last week via Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Tidal, Deezer, etc. Keep in mind that my partner Jenny Stokes and I have never met. She lives in New Zealand and I live in Pennsylvania. We have only spoken on the phone once! We communicate through thousands and thousands of emails and share files with each other via Dropbox. That is how this album was created! A painstaking process of only written communication with someone on the other side of the planet. The time zone difference alone is something that will drive you insane. Work out a cool new riff and email it to her, then realize it's 1am there, so I have to wait 6 hours for a reply...you can imagine.

Anyway...literally within hours of our album being released it popped up on multiple torrent websites, most from Russia where people could download our stuff for free. Some of these sites even put in links to our Facebook page and embedded our YouTube videos! Within a few days the album is downloaded illegally hundreds of times. See for yourself and just Google or Bing search "evans and stokes beyond the gates". The legitimate stuff like our website, facebook page, etc. will come up but keep scrolling and you will see the suspicious ones.

Now all of my complaining set aside, I do understand this and I did expect it to happen eventually because this is the world we live in today. But I was a little shocked at how fast it happened and how bold they are to embed our videos into their sites. One of the sites did rate our album 4.1 out of 5 so maybe I should just be thankful for the exposure. I don't know.

At the end of the day Jenny put it best when she told me hey, be grateful we've spread the word of forgiveness to all of these places (which is what the album is ultimately about). It's not about the money.

Thanks for listening to my rant. Hopefully it sheds a little light on the process for anyone trying to do the same.


Spread the word that ES BTG is out now. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, SoundCloud, etc. We're working on new stuff for ES II already and you know how we love to post clips and get feedback from people! We also revamped our website. Take a look...


http://www.evansandstokes.com/

https://twitter.com/EvansandStokes

https://www.facebook.com/evansandstokes/

https://soundcloud.com/user-717882623

You can go to those sites and file a complaint.  They usually have a link to report it.  I've had Joshua's Creed stuff taken down on several sites.

Incredibly frustrating!  I wouldn't be at all happy if it was my creation.

Just ordered the cd....really looking forward to it.

I assure you that my copy is legit. 

I'm sure it is incredibly frustrating for you guys.

That is a fascinating story about the creation of the album.  I just assumed you guys knew each other from somewhere/sometime and decided to collaborate.  I had no idea that you have never met face to face.  The time zone thing is frustrating.  I used to work for a company that had offices in Lexington, KY and Sydney.  My job involved a lot of communication with the head of the division based in Sydney, so I had to handle all my interactions with him when I first got in the office in the morning if I needed to take care of it that day, otherwise I wouldn't hear from him until the next day.

I feel ya on the timezone thing...  Dating/being-engaged to someone NINE timezones away is rough!  Thank God that's over. 






EDIT: "over" as in we're married and living under the same roof, not over as in we broke up.

Xid wrote:

You can go to those sites and file a complaint.  They usually have a link to report it.  I've had Joshua's Creed stuff taken down on several sites.

 
Thanks. I'm going to look into that. I'm afraid to click on anything when I visit those websites.

Staybrite wrote:

Incredibly frustrating!  I wouldn't be at all happy if it was my creation.

Just ordered the cd....really looking forward to it.

It is frustrating how easily and quickly they can do it. At least I can wonder if Vladimir Putin has Evans and Stokes in his iPod now.

The CD!!! AWESOME!!! Thank you so much Staybrite. Means a lot to us.

messiaen77 wrote:

I assure you that my copy is legit. 

I'm sure it is incredibly frustrating for you guys.

That is a fascinating story about the creation of the album.  I just assumed you guys knew each other from somewhere/sometime and decided to collaborate.  I had no idea that you have never met face to face.  The time zone thing is frustrating.  I used to work for a company that had offices in Lexington, KY and Sydney.  My job involved a lot of communication with the head of the division based in Sydney, so I had to handle all my interactions with him when I first got in the office in the morning if I needed to take care of it that day, otherwise I wouldn't hear from him until the next day.

Sounds like you can relate. Early in the morning or late in the evening are the best times. Just imagine that with all of the intricate details of a song needing to be hashed out...bass, guitars, solos, lyrics, vocals, melodies, mixing, cover art, etc. how difficult it is. Don't get me wrong, we love it and have become the best of friends through this process. But just to finish one song is so many emails back and forth and throwing recorded samples of riffs and vocals in the dropbox that it's really an accomplishment when it's finally done.

kerrick wrote:

I feel ya on the timezone thing...  Dating/being-engaged to someone NINE timezones away is rough!  Thank God that's over. 






EDIT: "over" as in we're married and living under the same roof, not over as in we broke up.

Lol. Nice clarification. Being married for 18 years now sometimes I wish I was 9 time zones away

JLE3 wrote:

Xid wrote:

You can go to those sites and file a complaint.  They usually have a link to report it.  I've had Joshua's Creed stuff taken down on several sites.

 
Thanks. I'm going to look into that. I'm afraid to click on anything when I visit those websites.

Sometimes the link will take you to download, which is where you can report it to have it removed, and sometimes it takes you to a game and sometimes you get the "Microsoft Warning" that your computer is infected.  If you get that, just open the Task Manager and End Task on your browser.

Xid wrote:

JLE3 wrote:

Xid wrote:

You can go to those sites and file a complaint.  They usually have a link to report it.  I've had Joshua's Creed stuff taken down on several sites.

 
Thanks. I'm going to look into that. I'm afraid to click on anything when I visit those websites.

Sometimes the link will take you to download, which is where you can report it to have it removed, and sometimes it takes you to a game and sometimes you get the "Microsoft Warning" that your computer is infected.  If you get that, just open the Task Manager and End Task on your browser.

Holy Hannah Cabana, Xid. Play with fire much.

You mean I could have gotten it for free?!?!?



So did y'all share the story of how/where you ended up meeting online to do this project? I knew you hadn't met but not how. Just a forum like this I'd assume.

topshot rhit wrote:

You mean I could have gotten it for free?!?!?



So did y'all share the story of how/where you ended up meeting online to do this project? I knew you hadn't met but not how. Just a forum like this I'd assume.

Grrr. lol

Where'd we meet?
We met on a songwriting forum. I'd been hanging out there for about a year talking with other songwriters, throwing ideas around, making contacts, helping where I can, and collaborating with some fantastic folks. John joined up last October. I heard one of his songs (an early version of Kingdom, called Kingdom of Heaven) and was absolutely hooked. I sent him a link to one of my tracks (a blues tune called In my Blood) and asked if he'd like to collaborate with me. He liked the sound of my work so we agreed to work together. 

While we were working on Kingdom, John got a critique on a song that he'd done. He responded as most musicians would...wrote a song. So I got a message saying, "I wrote this curled up in a corner, what do you think?" He was joking about the corner, of course, but I loved the song and asked if I could work it. Two days later we had "Sadness" done and dusted. That was a neat weekend.

John then said, "I've got something to ask you. Put your helmet on and get yourself a drink" lol I knew what was coming (an album) because I was thinking the same thing. We started writing for the album after knowing each other for two weeks. I never had any doubts about working with John. I won't say it hasn't been hard, but it's been awesome too. I've loved the process. We work so well together and it seems like we're in each others' head sometimes. 

Thanks for the support topshot

Jen5 wrote:

Holy Hannah Cabana, Xid. Play with fire much.

Nope.  I've seen the scare tactic before.  There's no virus.

Cool story on how you two came together to collaborate!

topshot rhit wrote:

You mean I could have gotten it for free?!?!?



So did y'all share the story of how/where you ended up meeting online to do this project? I knew you hadn't met but not how. Just a forum like this I'd assume.

It was a dark and stormy night back in October of 2016. I had been writing songs for over a year, mostly instrumental you see, because my voice can't hold a tune but my fingers can fly free. I had been searching high and low for a singer, someone who shared my vision. Someone who had not only the vocal chops but also the ability to develop lyrics and vocal melodies to my songs. I had tried out a few singers but something was always missing. They never had the complete package I was looking for. But this day in October of 2016 I stumbled across a songwriting forum and began reading some of the posts. It wasn't like other forums I had tried out that were usually riddled with egos and people who would only comment on your stuff if you commented on theirs first. This forum seemed to be comprised of good folks just trying to help each other to get better. I posted a song or two and of course listed my website so people could see what I was all about.

That's when Jenny Stokes came along. The rest is history...

A dark and stormy night. Pah!!! You kill me John

Xid wrote:

Jen5 wrote:

Holy Hannah Cabana, Xid. Play with fire much.

Nope.  I've seen the scare tactic before.  There's no virus.

Cool story on how you two came together to collaborate!

That happens too me on occasion as well.  You need to cancel your internet program with the task manager (like you said) and don't click on any of the "fix or repair" buttons.  I've never had a virus on either my work or home computer, and have seen this phishing pop-up a dozen or more times.

Staybrite wrote:

Xid wrote:

Jen5 wrote:

Holy Hannah Cabana, Xid. Play with fire much.

Nope.  I've seen the scare tactic before.  There's no virus.

Cool story on how you two came together to collaborate!

That happens too me on occasion as well.  You need to cancel your internet program with the task manager (like you said) and don't click on any of the "fix or repair" buttons.  I've never had a virus on either my work or home computer, and have seen this phishing pop-up a dozen or more times.

And Bingo was his name-OH!

JLE3 wrote:

topshot rhit wrote:

You mean I could have gotten it for free?!?!?



So did y'all share the story of how/where you ended up meeting online to do this project? I knew you hadn't met but not how. Just a forum like this I'd assume.

It was a dark and stormy night back in October of 2016. I had been writing songs for over a year, mostly instrumental you see, because my voice can't hold a tune but my fingers can fly free. I had been searching high and low for a singer, someone who shared my vision. Someone who had not only the vocal chops but also the ability to develop lyrics and vocal melodies to my songs. I had tried out a few singers but something was always missing. They never had the complete package I was looking for. But this day in October of 2016 I stumbled across a songwriting forum and began reading some of the posts. It wasn't like other forums I had tried out that were usually riddled with egos and people who would only comment on your stuff if you commented on theirs first. This forum seemed to be comprised of good folks just trying to help each other to get better. I posted a song or two and of course listed my website so people could see what I was all about.

That's when Jenny Stokes came along. The rest is history...

Jen5 (not related to John5) wrote:

A dark and stormy night. Pah!!! You kill me John

You two are absolutely hilarious.  Am I going to find the ominous "dark and stormy night" lyric hidden in one of the songs (or maybe the liner notes) on the album?

Staybrite wrote:

JLE3 wrote:

topshot rhit wrote:

So did y'all share the story of how/where you ended up meeting online to do this project? I knew you hadn't met but not how. Just a forum like this I'd assume.

It was a dark and stormy night back in October of 2016. I had been writing songs for over a year, mostly instrumental you see, because my voice can't hold a tune but my fingers can fly free. I had been searching high and low for a singer...blah de blah de blah.... That's when Jenny Stokes came along. The rest is history...

Jen5 (not related to John5) wrote:

A dark and stormy night. Pah!!! You kill me John

You two are absolutely hilarious.  Am I going to find the ominous "dark and stormy night" lyric hidden in one of the songs (or maybe the liner notes) on the album?

Speaking of hilarious     "Jen5 (not related to John5)"     I think I just peed myself. Laughed a full five minutes on that one. Couldn't type even.

You won't find "dark and stormy night" hidden in one of the songs, but I'll take the challenge, SB. I'll find a way to fit that one in to the lyrics on E&S mach II.

Jen5 wrote:

Staybrite wrote:

JLE3 wrote:

topshot rhit wrote:

So did y'all share the story of how/where you ended up meeting online to do this project? I knew you hadn't met but not how. Just a forum like this I'd assume.

It was a dark and stormy night back in October of 2016. I had been writing songs for over a year, mostly instrumental you see, because my voice can't hold a tune but my fingers can fly free. I had been searching high and low for a singer...blah de blah de blah.... That's when Jenny Stokes came along. The rest is history...

Jen5 (not related to John5) wrote:

A dark and stormy night. Pah!!! You kill me John

You two are absolutely hilarious.  Am I going to find the ominous "dark and stormy night" lyric hidden in one of the songs (or maybe the liner notes) on the album?

Speaking of hilarious     "Jen5 (not related to John5)"     I think I just peed myself. Laughed a full five minutes on that one. Couldn't type even.

You won't find "dark and stormy night" hidden in one of the songs, but I'll take the challenge, SB. I'll find a way to fit that one in to the lyrics on E&S mach II.

I look forward to finding it on the follow-up album  (was wondering if you would notice the play on your user name...I thought it was pretty funny).

Staybrite wrote:

Jen5 wrote:

Staybrite wrote:

Jen5 (not related to John5) wrote:

A dark and stormy night. Pah!!! You kill me John

You two are absolutely hilarious.  Am I going to find the ominous "dark and stormy night" lyric hidden in one of the songs (or maybe the liner notes) on the album?

Speaking of hilarious     "Jen5 (not related to John5)"     I think I just peed myself. Laughed a full five minutes on that one. Couldn't type even.

You won't find "dark and stormy night" hidden in one of the songs, but I'll take the challenge, SB. I'll find a way to fit that one in to the lyrics on E&S mach II.

I look forward to finding it on the follow-up album   (was wondering if you would notice the play on your user name...I thought it was pretty funny).

...as my pants can attest, I did too (just kidding...about the pants). I almost want to keep it...but then people might expect me to be an amazing guitarist which is hilarious in it's own way.

I remember back when Saint was finishing up Desperate Night, I saw the files available for download on a blogspot before Rich sent the files to me that I paid for! I immediately informed Rich about it and he did his best to get those sites to remove it.

Even if you get it removed, they can just put it back up with different misspellings.  Also, once someone downloads it, it can be uploaded to other sites and often is.  Piracy is a virus that spreads quick.

I recall reading an article by (I think) Derek Webb where he broke down how much money he makes per cd, per download and per stream on Spotify. The real money he makes is playing shows and selling merch (like shirts). At that point, he was considering just giving his music away.

That being said, that isn't really a viable option for a small indie band, or even you two. I certainly appreciate how much work you put into it and that is frustrating that people have pirated. I would just pray that some of those folks would be convicted by the Spirit and buy the product - I know it seems unlikely but I downloaded a bunch of stuff about 5 years ago and was convicted and ended up buying almost all of it (and then trading or selling a lot of it - didn't like it as much as I thought).

A second point is this - about a month ago, someone stole my lunch out of the fridge in our breakroom. I was really mad. It was 3 days until pay day and I had lunch to last that time but no money to go buy what was stolen. Then I thought (or maybe, the Spirit prompted me) "Maybe the person that stole it needs it more than I do." So maybe the people that pirated your music need to hear it and something good will still come of it.