Radiohead may not be the standard bearer for independent minded bands according to the Financial Times. After all the hoopla surrounding the band’s foray into user determined pricing it appears to have been a marketing a ploy to encourage fans to buy a better quality recording. The music industry can breath easier as the band, and its management, are shopping the album to the major labels for release in the first quarter of 2008.
However, Radiohead’s management could put together a team of experts to deliver the album to the public in the same manner that a major label would but without the label. The band could easily manufacture the cd, obtain independent distribution and hire all of the publicists it needs to work the record. Yet, as of now, the band plans to return to the stables of the major labels to release the physical product.
Significantly, the band’s management told the Financial Times that “as many as half of those who registered for the download had paid more than the minimum 45p transaction fee.” Which means at least half of the people choosing to download the album are paying less than a $1 for the entire album.
While In Rainbows may be a musical work for the ages, it would be inappropriate to use Radiohead as the poster child of bands pursuing alternative paths if its journey leads them back to the major labels.
For more information please see Radiohead In Perspective…
Too, not to.