So bands have to produce quality music now? Oh no!
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Radiohead's surely the talk of the town these days for allowing people to pay nothing for downloading their new album "In Rainbows". A gutsy move - and I would say more than a we-did-it-first marketing gimmick.
A bold statement, yes. Someone big had to try it out. I hindsight, it being Radiohead seems natural, logical. Throwing a wrench in the corporate engine, giving hardcore capitalism a punch in the nose.
Of course, Thom & Co won't go to bed hungry because of this. They have their strong fanbase who will surely pay at least a bit for the mp3s. Or of course the £40 box with everything. Why not? They're likable lads too.
In articles published at the moment some argue that the band can only do this because they are that big. Yes, that makes sense. Unknown bands might suffer from this move, these people say. But... what do these newcomers get in the first place when signing to a label? Not much. Are they better off without a label? Might be. We'll see. Radiohead started something new on that level yesterday.
Radiohead fansite Ateaseweb quotes The Times:
"What this move really relies on though, is the notion that between Radiohead and their fans is a collateral of trust and, dare the term be uttered, decency. Whilst that collateral might not be there between, say Sugababes and their fans, it's the very thing that has propelled Radiohead to this point of unprecedented autonomy."
I've been saying for years that if you can't get people to pay for your music (and they download it instead) it's because it doesn't mean anything to them. It doesn't have any value. Be it emotional or artistic. If people just use music as background noise (when vacuuming cleaning?) then they're not listening anyway. Fine with me!
Try comparing to other products? Just a thought: Does a Ferrari cost the same as a Toyota? Easy answer.
So I'm thinking: Does this mean that musicians will have to make music that matters now? Something that really reaches people on a deeper personal level than just aspiring to be moneymaking background noise? Oh no! If Sugacubes and their kind will be out of a job... you won't find me shedding a single tear. Maybe it'll get them working harder to actually produce something of value? Now that would be a positive effect.
With all this colourful, but tasteless confetti out of the way new artists might even have it easier finding an audience. And if their material is a strong enough they will surely capture our hearts if they deserve to do so.
If Radiohead's new approach will get those results I am already hoping for a better world, happier ears and healthier minds.
Personally I'm just curious about what this will lead to. I'm an optimist. In this case I'll pay that extra buck to drive in the Ferrari.
Hallelujah!
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