There's a single reader comment at the end of JOHN COLPITTS' lengthy reported piece for TALKHOUSE about an apparent disconnect between hot live-music startup SOFAR SOUNDS' creative offering—intimate, secret concerts in nontraditional settings, a kind of high-tech twist on house concerts—and its business identity—a venture-capital-backed company with paid, ticketed shows staffed largely by volunteer "ambassadors." "This remarkably well-funded company," writes Colpitts, better known as the indie-rock drummer KID MILLIONS, "staffs its events almost exclusively with unpaid volunteers." Colpitts is skeptical of the model, and raises the question of whether the use of unpaid staff to host and run nightly for-profit, ticketed shows around the world violates labor laws. He cites relevant regulations at some length and reports that a source at the New York State Department of Labor "indicated plans to investigate" the company's practices. (The company tells him: "We are comfortable we’re doing the right thing in compliance with local regulations and serving the interests of our community members.") Colpitts also interviews several of those unpaid volunteers, who speak highly of the company and how much they love working with it ("If I felt taken advantage of at all, I wouldn’t be doing it"), as well as some Sofar performers, who are paid $100 per show and who are equally high on the experience. For emerging artists, Colpitts says, it's a hell of an opportunity. But, he suggests, it could be a hell of a lot better. Music, meet tech. Creative, meet capital. Let's talk. The lone comment on Colpitts' piece comes from a Sofar ambassador whose user name is INGRAM LEE. He says he's gained experience, friends and connections from working with Sofar and has no interest in getting paid. "The value of these types of moments isn't something I would trade for to be paid NY state minimum wage for 3 hours a show," Lee writes. It's an almost beatific response, and Colpitts answers him in kind. "I believe you," Colpitts tells the volunteer. He validates the concept of Lee's "alternative capital" and then raises the issue of real capital, wondering how Lee will feel if Sofar is sold, making "a lot of money" for its investors and none for "the thousands of unpaid volunteers who have put on these amazing concerts... and have participated deeply in the company's growth. "In time," Colpitts adds, "you might have a different perspective on the engines behind Sofar—which undoubtedly has created something that's very special to so many people." I can't think of softer, more gentle response that does, in fact, act as a response. And, perhaps, as a call to action... A second TALKHOUSE piece, in which ADAM SCHATZ of the indie-rock band LANDLADY recounts the one Sofar Sounds show he played with two other bands ("both great") is harsher, more judgmental. "It isn’t always about the money," Schatz writes, "but somehow it is usually about f***ing over the artist. Even when everyone believes they’re doing a good thing." In fact no one in either of these two pieces doubts that Sofar is, in many ways, doing a good thing. But they do have questions... A$AP ROCKY is guilty of assault, will not have to serve any more time. He is "disappointed"... Everything you need to know about flying with a guitar... AWAL and PRS FOUNDATION offering grants of up to $6,000 to female, trans and non-binary artists and songwriters... Hearts and hugs to PETER MURPHY and JANET WEISS... RIP AL BROOMFIELD and PACO NAVARRO.