| Thursday, October 11, 2007 |
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Radiohead and the changing face of music
Posted @ 5:58 AM :: 215 Views ::
0 Comments :: On Tour
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by Andrew Baker
How would you like to decide what you are going to pay for a newly released CD? If you buy "In Rainbows," Radioheads new album, you will be able to do just that.
Radiohead's record contract with Capitol Records ended after their 2003 CD release through the label. On October 10th, 2007 the band released their new album directly to their fans through the website inrainbows.com.
Each fan will be able to decide the cost that they are willing to pay for the album, especially since Radiohead has no record contract. They feel that this is a better way to connect to their fans.
This is a trend in music that many artists are beginning to make by walking away from their record labels. In the past week, Switchfoot has severed ties with Columbia Records, citing that parting ways would be best for the band. Oasis is also a band that has severed ties to their record label, and they're planning on following Radiohead in offering their music directly to their fans.
On Sunday, October 7th, Trent Reznor from the band Nine Inch Nails announced that the band has broken away from their record label, and are now "free agents." According to Reznor, he's been with under a recording contract for 18 years, and in that time, the record label has changed very dramatically. They are now wanting to have a more direct relationship with their fans, and that relationship will now be directed by the band themselves.
The trend of offering music directly to fans was not invented by Radiohead. As reported by Youth Roots in June 2007, Andrew Osenga from Caedmon's Call released his solo CD directly from his website, and the price paid was up to the fans.
Whoever first thought of the idea is not important. However, music fans can expect it to revolutionize what the music industry looks like in the future, and the future definitely looks good.
Read Andrew's blog about how Radiohead is doing in album sales after only a day and a half of having the album available for download on their website. |
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