DISQUS

maths · 2 years ago

Despite the preponderance of the internet, a good CD distribution network is still needed to reach fans who do not have access to or are averse to the digital medium. Thom Yorke himself did mention in an NYT interview that "The truth is that the traditional medium is still there, and you need it". So in the Darwinian scheme of things, we have to be thankful that at least progress has been made with Radiohead's recent exercise but an overnight radical change in habits might be too much to expect.

Music2dot0.com (http://www.music2dot0.com/archives/47 )has found out that the pitch is happening this weekend with the following as the main contenders:

1) ATO or Side One Recordings - Billboard and Hits considers them a front runner for the deal, with the common thread of Coran Capshaw owner of Red Light Management who also co-owns both ATO and Side One Recordings.

2) EMI - after 6 albums with Radiohead, of course they would try to be in the running for at least distribution outside of the US, though one wonders how much of a negative contributory factor they were in pushing Radiohead to strike out on their own.

3) Warner - has been faithfully flogging the dead horse trying to get Radiohead on their books since the latter’s early EMI days, so they would seem to be simply making up the numbers on this pitch

4) XL Recordings/ Beggars - They are not only in the running despite not having been mentioned anywhere else, but Music2dot0 also feels that this is the darkhorse of the lot - not just due to their pro-artist philosophy but also the fact that this is the home of Thom Yorke’s Eraser solo album.

If Radiohead is looking to further their innnovative approach, they would be well off considering the two independents, but if they were simply looking for a brute force functional distribution deal devoid of creative ideas - ideas which Radiohead have already shown great aptitude for - the two majors would certainly be suited for it.

MG Siegler · 2 years ago

That's very interesting. I think the same type of thing happened with Pearl Jam a few years back when their deal expired with Sony and there was rumor they were thinking about releasing a new record entirely by themselves before eventually signing with the Clive David-led J Records. I guess we're not entirely at the point yet where a band can completely go it alone.

eoghano · 2 years ago

Radiohead's idea is groundbreaking however what is imporant is not the embracing of an idea but its execution. And, after doing a bit of research, I think their execution has a number of shortcomings in terms of the infrastructure Radiohead have put in place for downloaded versions of the album. Central is that the website Radiohead are using to release the album (www.inrainbows.com - hosted by a t-shirt company?!) has some potentially major pitfalls due to:

1) inadequacies in its hosting infrastructure and
2) the competencies of the technical team responsible for hosting the site.

What it boils down to is that Radiohead - by declining the option of getting a world class, experienced web hosting company to provide the vital infrastructure required for a venture as bold as this - are greatly increasing the risk of jeopardizing the whole thing.

I explored this is greater detail in a blog posting entitled "Radiohead's Revolution to end in meltdown?" which can be seen here:
http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?t...

Nate · 2 years ago

Wow Radiohead is so good. Wow.