Radiohead - *salute*

[Man Of Kent]

For those who haven't heard, the new Radiohead album is being released on their website next week - you pay whatever price you see fit. Yes, you can download it for free. Legally.

:yippe:

Guys, I thank you.

NB You can also purchase a CD Boxset @ £40 if you so wish.

[I'm With Stupid]

Like this (http://vbulletin.thesite.org.uk/showthread.php?t=120939)? ;)

Finally though, some musicians that accept that they should get paid when they play a show or otherwise do some work, rather than acting as a cash machine for someone to sit on their fat arse and sue anyone who tries to do what only they used to be rich enough to do (i.e. digitally copy it). And because of this, I'll be paying money for my Radiohead album download (not too much though, because I hope to buy the CD when it doesn't come with a vinyl and all that crap).

[Addict]

Like this (http://vbulletin.thesite.org.uk/showthread.php?t=120939)? ;)

Finally though, some musicians that accept that they should get paid when they play a show or otherwise do some work, rather than acting as a cash machine for someone to sit on their fat arse and sue anyone who tries to do what only they used to be rich enough to do (i.e. digitally copy it). And because of this, I'll be paying money for my Radiohead album download (not too much though, because I hope to buy the CD when it doesn't come with a vinyl and all that crap).

How much you gonna pay? I was thinking £4.

[I'm With Stupid]

It depends. I'm only gonna pay if they're MP3 format, because that's all I can play on my MP3 player (phone). If they're some copyrighted format that I can only play on my PC, then I won't bother, because I'm not paying for something I have to sit next to the computer to listen to. I was thinking a fiver though.

[Kermit]

It's easy for Radiohead to do it, after making their name through EMI...

I might pay nothing and donate a tenner to CHUF instead.

[Man Of Kent]

I paid nothing but gave money to Amnesty instead.

Radiohead don't need the cash, Amnesty do.

[randomaccess]

It's good.

[BritJamez]

I paid nothing.
Donated nothing.
Haven't liked radiohead since pablo honey

[O_o]

it's sounding great up to now.

[I'm With Stupid]

In principle donating to charity is a good thing, but if a move like this signals the beginning of the end for greedy record companies (or at least helps fuck them up a bit), then I'd be all for it. Incidentally, I reckon Radiohead themselves would actually make more money this way than by releasing it through a record company. How much would they get per full-priced album for a CD released by record companies?

There website isn't working very well for me right now, so I'll try again later. I heard it's MP3 format, with no DRM. Is that right?

[Man Of Kent]

In principle donating to charity is a good thing, but if a move like this signals the beginning of the end for greedy record companies (or at least helps fuck them up a bit), then I'd be all for it.

Problem is that the only reason Radiohead are able to do this is because they have already built up a strong fanbase - thanks to the support of their previous record company.

The only other band, I can think of, who could have done this from scratch is Arctic Monkeys.

I heard it's MP3 format, with no DRM. Is that right?

Yep.

What does "no DRM" actually mean? No protection (such as iTunes uses)?

[I'm With Stupid]

Problem is that the only reason Radiohead are able to do this is because they have already built up a strong fanbase - thanks to the support of their previous record company.
Which was the situation at the time, and they had to sign a six-record contract. There was no other way to get access to radio play, CD factories or anything else on this scale at the time. Now thanks to the internet, you don't need to do this any more. The record companies have fought tooth and nail to maintain their little monopoly on everyone's music. Hopefully, that'll be breaking soon with the likes of Prince and Radiohead leading the way for less established bands to do the same.

The only other band, I can think of, who could have done this from scratch is Arctic Monkeys.
Who then signed up with a record company as soon as they had the slightest bit of success, who marketed them to within an inch of their life. That's like any other band, except until recently, they haven't been able to actually sell their music without a record company. Why did they need to? They were getting radio play, they were getting gigs, and they were getting interviewed by magazines. What possible extra value could they add, except a large cut of the profits? They're like writers agents who won't have anything to do with you until you already have a publisher, and then swoop in for a cut. And naturally the rest of the industry is set up to keep these vultures in business. And the first step is for established acts, who the rest of the industry can't ignore, to bypass all of those hangers on who contribute nothing. I think like Prince, we'll see a lot more bands using their recordings as promotional tools for their live shows, since that's what the band members themselves seem to make most of their money from, as well as licensing their music for commercial use, and eventually selling their music commercially once they're big enough.

What does "no DRM" actually mean? No protection (such as iTunes uses)?
Digital rights management - alternatively known as the bane of music.

[SuzyCreamcheese]

The only other band, I can think of, who could have done this from scratch is Arctic Monkeys.




:eek2: why arctic monkeys? Loads of bands could do this

[O_o]

Why did they need to? They were getting radio play, they were getting gigs, and they were getting interviewed by magazines. What possible extra value could they add, except a large cut of the profits?

provide money for tours/videos/better recordings/a better distribution channel.

anyone whose ever tried to set up their own distribution will know it's a complete logistical nightmare.

besides; arctic monkeys signed to Domino, not one of the big 3/4.

[Man Of Kent]

:eek2: why arctic monkeys? Loads of bands could do this

Because they had a massive fan base before relasing anything commercially. It's very unusual.

[Man Of Kent]

Hopefully, that'll be breaking soon with the likes of Prince and Radiohead leading the way for less established bands to do the same.

Again, both have huge followings already.

It's not so easy to build up a following, to get your music heard, without record company backing. And that's in spite of myspace et al.

they haven't been able to actually sell their music without a record company.

In order to sell, you need a mraket - in other words an audience. The question is how to get people to know that your music even exists...

[Bri-namite]

In order to sell, you need a mraket - in other words an audience. The question is how to get people to know that your music even exists...

:yes:

Too many people seem to think you can just do a MySpace search for "good music" then that's it. Hype and word of mouth count for a lot too, thousands didn't just happen to randomly click on the Arctic Monkeys website and discover them did they?

[O_o]

:yes:

Too many people seem to think you can just do a MySpace search for "good music" then that's it. Hype and word of mouth count for a lot too, thousands didn't just happen to randomly click on the Arctic Monkeys website and discover them did they?

yeh, that attitude really pisses me off. people thinking that all they did was make a myspace profile, and voila next thing they know they have a massive following and record deal. they did a ridiculous amount of touring & self promotion. and their hard work payed off.

[God of Schmuck]

See also :

http://www.xfm.co.uk/Article.asp?b=news&id=485685

It appears The Charlatans won't accept any money.

The music industry does seem to be changing.

"The band will get paid more by more people coming to the gigs, buying merchandise, publishing and synch fees. I believe it's the future business model."

[I'm With Stupid]

Finally got round to listening to it properly (with headphones in the middle of the night), and it's awesome. Definitely an album which you have to give your full attention, and I'm struggling to think of a track that they'll play regularly on the radio, but that's a good thing. Amnesiac was a good album, and Hail To The Thief was decent, but this is their best since Kid A without a doubt. Take me a while before I decide where it sits in comparison to Kid A, OK Computer and The Bends though. But there are so many good tunes on it.

[Addict]

Finally got round to listening to it properly (with headphones in the middle of the night), and it's awesome. Definitely an album which you have to give your full attention, and I'm struggling to think of a track that they'll play regularly on the radio, but that's a good thing. Amnesiac was a good album, and Hail To The Thief was decent, but this is their best since Kid A without a doubt. Take me a while before I decide where it sits in comparison to Kid A, OK Computer and The Bends though. But there are so many good tunes on it.

I agree, it's fucking awesome. That track 'All I Need' is a real classic.

[I'm With Stupid]

I was looking up the lyrics for the album and I came across a petition to get rid of the "rip off" 45p credit card charge for the album. Some people are never fucking satisfied are they?

[**helen**]

Finally got round to listening to it properly (with headphones in the middle of the night), and it's awesome. Definitely an album which you have to give your full attention, and I'm struggling to think of a track that they'll play regularly on the radio, but that's a good thing. Amnesiac was a good album, and Hail To The Thief was decent, but this is their best since Kid A without a doubt. Take me a while before I decide where it sits in comparison to Kid A, OK Computer and The Bends though. But there are so many good tunes on it.

I agree too. I really like reckoner. :thumb:

[I'm With Stupid]

Yeah, I think that's my favourite song on the album. I also love Nude and Bodysnatchers.