I’ve just been watching the webcast of Radiohead’s free show on Brick Lane. Sadly, I’m not in London at the moment so I can’t go myself. Originally it was going to be in Rough Trade East, but the police forced a change of venue to 93 Feet East due to concerns over the size of the crowd. Nevertheless, the sentiment is commendable; the band release their new album as a voluntary contribution MP3 download, then release the physical product through independent label XL Recordings for those who aren’t internet savvy, then promote the album by playing a free gig in a record store owned by independent label Rough Trade.

Many would argue that the only reason Radiohead can work in such an independent way is because they have already been built up and made successful by a major label. To a certain extent, this is is true; a band releasing their first album would need an advance to pay for the studio costs and the security of a guaranteed income from their work. But although perhaps only an already successful band could afford to take the risk, it did paid off; according to research, the average price paid for the album was £2.90, whereas a conventionally released album would generate for the band about £1 per copy sold. Although Radiohead will need to pay their own studio costs and (very minimal) distribution costs, it doesn’t look like they lost out financially by releasing the album the way that they did.

The release of In Rainbows comes after Radiohead refused to resign to EMI because the label refused to give them sufficient artistic control over their work. Thom Yorke explains on the band’s blog:

for your information>>>

we did not ask for a load of cash from our old record label EMI to re- sign.
that is a L I E.
The Times in the UK should check its facts before it prints such dirt.

whAT we WANTED WAS some control over OUR WOrK and how it was used in the future by them-
that seemed REASONAblE to us,
as we cared about it a great deal.

Mr Hands was not interested.
So neither were we.

We made the sign of the cross and walked away. Sadly.

We are extremely upset that this crap is being spread about.

To bedigging up such bullshit, or more politely airing yer dirty laundry in public,
seems a very strange way for the head of an international record label to be proceeding.

On a happier note we took no ‘BRead-HEAd’ advances at all from both independent labels XL and TBD for our new record.

So judge for yourself.

AND we are really excited to be working with them. SHock!

AT least they do not behave like confused bulls in a china shop.

much love

thom
x

The ‘Mr Hands’ mentioned is Guy Hands, the former bond trader who has now taken over EMI and threatened to cull thousands of jobs and hundreds of artists. The cuts at the label have lead Robbie Williams to go on strike, saying that he’s not going to release another album until he’s sure the label can promote it properly.

[Robbies' manager] Mr Clark told The Times: “The question is, should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI?

“We have to say the answer is no. We have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album.

“They do not have anyone in the digital sphere capable of doing the job required. All we know is they are going to decimate their staff.”

He accused Terra Firma boss Guy Hands of acting like a “plantation owner” who had stumbled into the music industry via a “vanity purchase”.

“EMI can sue or pay up his contract,” Mr Clark said. “Robbie needs to know what services EMI can provide to an artist of his standing.”

Perhaps he should take a cue from Radiohead by cutting out the middle man and promoting the album himself. Paul McCartney has already quit the label, and Coldplay, Kylie and the Verve are apparently considering their positions. In order to squeeze the last few drops of profit out of the departing Radiohead, EMI released their first six studio albums as a box set- against the wishes of the band, who refused to promote it.

2007 was a terrible year for the the major labels as they were undermined by their own artists and made to look like the heartless corporations they are. One thing’s for certain- things will get worse before they better. In the meantime, Radiohead deserve credit for being willing to challenge the industry and restore an independent spirit to pop music.