20071012

radiohead - in rainbows



are the days of the major label dead? yeah, they are .. at least that's the way radiohead is acting. they've released their new album, in rainbows, on their website for the lovely price of $whatever.youwant without a major label. i've talked to a few friends that work in the major label world and it doesn't seem like the the majors are too happy. one head of a&r said "this cheapens the music." why would they be happy, tho? giving away music and showing that the major labels aren't needed isn't what they want. nine inch nails, oasis and jamiroquai are supposedly joining in on the fun.
of course, it works because of the huge following that bands like radiohead have but i think its just one step in turning the industry on its head. nowadays no one but the majors make money off record sales and being that those are at an all time low its only a matter of time before they either fall apart or reintroduce artist development and some fair play into the equation.
either way, kudos to radiohead fro understanding the new climate. the music is the new business card .. learn how to circulate it and the touring, merch, etc will all fall into place. i'll be supporting what i hope is a new trend. y'all should too.



ps - yeah i didn't pay a penny for the new radiohead album but best believe i am going to drop the $80 for the boxset.

15 comments:

sophistiphunk said...

word.

Che Grand said...

the idea is dope, but i wonder how well it would go over with a new artist's debut... hmmm...

ms. swifty said...

that's what i'm talking about...

vonpea.com said...

to what che said: it wouldnt work because EVERYBODY is a new artist :-(

radiohead are lucky theyre in a great position. they could just tour and sell it at shows while we can barely get a paid show

MT said...

...and the album is pretty damn good

filthygomez said...

to che & pea:

von is kinda right .. it won't work now. but in time i think that a system will be put in order that will allow for new artist to benefit from this kind of release.

all in due time.

Sandy said...

To Filth in response to Che and Von:

The system is understanding the true product is the artist's (old and new artists) live show... and taking a percentage of the profits from merch and ticket sales... which is QUICKLY becoming the norm, even with indie labels, since selling music is now considered loss leaders.

Giving music away works for a newbie. When there's enough buzz for an artist. And if you can get said artist on the road fast enough to act on that quickly fading buzz.

filthygomez said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
filthygomez said...

To Sandy in response to Me in response to Che and Von:

Agreed.

Improvian said...

I didn't pay anything expecting a catch like "Haha you cheap bastard. DENIED, BITCH!" Nope, got the album and I'm loving it. First this and "GetBack"? This has been a wonderful week.

But umm $80 for the boxset? Yeah that's "Mass Effect" (360) and train money. I'ma wait until the CD comes out haha.

And I agree with Sandy, get the buzz going and tour (which can be a double edge sword because some promoters are shadddddy). I mean it's weird, indies want to do their own thing, but still kinda hold out for a label deal. *shrugs*

Sandy said...

Good ol' 4080 needs an addendum... promoters... agents... dist. companies... labels of ALL sizes... and I guess artists. SHAAAADDDDYYYY.

Sandy said...

shoot I forgot why I came here.

Just to say I miss the wifey's blog updates... she's pretty busy huh?

donnie said...

On the real?

"ps - yeah i didn't pay a penny for the new radiohead album but best believe i am going to drop the $80 for the boxset."

EVERYBODY'S been saying that...ha ha.

filthygomez said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
filthygomez said...

donnie:

on the real.

i'll be buying it sooooooon, too.

waiting to hand in this latest assignment and then a slim portion of that check is going to the boxset.

beleedat.