http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1666973,00.html?cnn=yes
Even though I am not a huge fan of either of these two bands, I do own some of their recordings so I do know their music. Through this experiment of theirs, which this article points out is what is happening. They are moving away from the recording studios and doing their own marketing of their newly released albums. I think the telling points of this whole article are as follows:
[i]This feels like yet another death knell,” emailed an A&R executive at a major European label. “If the best band in the world doesn’t want a part of us, I’m not sure what’s left for this business.”[/i]
[i]In July, Prince gave away his album Planet Earth for free in the U.K. through the downmarket Mail on Sunday newspaper. At first he was ridiculed. Then he announced 21 consecutive London concert dates ? and sold out every one of them.[/i]
Now, I defiantly don’t think RadioHead is the best band in the world. But I do know they have a significant following.
Has the time arrived where the bands are telling the label companies to pi$$ off? Considering they only receive roughly 30 percent of the profits of the sales? This for a major group?
We can only hope. And yes, if these bands did want money for their music via their downloads. I would pay it as long as record companies did not receive any of the proceeds.
Dan
