Adult Mom accuses Tiny Engines label of breach of contract over late royalty payments

The thread sees Adult Mom, real name Stevie Knipe, accuse Tiny Engines of being "irresponsible with payment schedules and statements", and claims that their conversation with co-owner Chuck Daley was "one of the most unprofessional encounters I have ever had in my life."

On Saturday (9 November), Knipe posted a series of tweets, the first claiming that despite signing a "two LP contract in 2015", between "the year 2015-May 2018" they had received zero statements or royalty payments.

Knipe states that "after asking multiple times for statements over the years, they finally sent one at the pressure and request of my manager", and goes on to write that "it took them until December of 2018 to pay out that royalty statement."

After asking multiple times for statements over the years, they finally sent one at the pressure and request of my manager. The statement detailed that they had owed us over 7,000 dollars (closer to 8k). It took them until December of 2018 to pay out that royalty statement

— adult mom (@adultmomband) November 9, 2019

Adult Mom adds, "they have been sporadic and irresponsible with payment schedules and statements. I have had to remind them frequently for payments and statements, and furthermore have had to convince them to do second pressings of our records that were out of stock." Knipe adds that Tiny Engines' reluctance to do anything resulted in Knipe becoming "deeply self conscious and depressed about the security of my records." Knipe adds, "The contract I signed detailed that Tiny Engines owned my master[s] for the rest of my life. Clearly, my work was not in safe or responsible hands."

After all of this, I was deeply self conscious and depressed about the security of my records. The contract I signed detailed that Tiny Engines owned my mastered for the rest of my life. Clearly, my work was not in safe or responsible hands.

— adult mom (@adultmomband) November 9, 2019

Knipe goes on to detail what happened when they addressed Tiny Engines owners Chuck Daley and Will Miller, "My conversation with Chuck was one of the most unprofessional encounters I have ever had in my life. Chuck laughed in my face after I asked for my masters back."

According to Knipe, Daley also "proceeded to speak and raise his voice over mine. He said that I was being ungrateful for everything the label had done for me. He also said that losing adult mom would have a lot of consequences, and that he had his mortgage and children to think about."

He proceeded to speak and raise his voice over mine. He said that I was being ungrateful for everything the label had done for me. He also said that losing adult mom would have a lot of consequences, and that he had his mortgage and children to think about

— adult mom (@adultmomband) November 9, 2019

Adult Mom goes on to reveal that they got their lawyer involved to send an official breach of contract notice. Knipe apparently gave Tiny Engines 31 days to pay the royalty statement, which they ignored. Adult Mom adds that their demands are "simple", and that "all physical and digital ownership must go into my control" as a consequence of breaching the contract.

Our demands have been simple. Because the contract is breached it is no longer valid, thus all physical and digital ownership must go into my control. Tiny Engines have not responded to my team and continue to ignore our requests, which to me, are incredibly reasonable

— adult mom (@adultmomband) November 9, 2019

Highlighting the problems of Tiny Engines' business model, Knipe wrote, "The business model of Tiny Engines appears to be this: Use the money that the more successful bands make on funding small releases and signings. Never pay the successful band for as long as humanly possible." In a separate tweet, Knipe adds, "The business model of tiny engines: Take advantage of the non men on your label and attempt to manipulate them while stealing the money they make to keep your failing business afloat."

The business model of tiny engines: Take advantage of the non men on your label and attempt to manipulate them while stealing the money they make to keep your failing business afloat

— adult mom (@adultmomband) November 9, 2019

Adult Mom closes their thread by revealing that they are aware of "at LEAST 10 other bands on this label that have experienced this or something similar", and adds that they "don’t wish any ill will on this business. But I do wish for them to clean up their shit."

My final thought: I don’t wish any ill will on this business. But I do wish for them to clean up their shit. I’ve given them way too much of my time and money and patience to be silent. reply or DM for any questions.

— adult mom (@adultmomband) November 9, 2019