BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Oasis completely dismisses ever 'pulling a Radiohead']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/07/oasis-completely-dismisses-ever-pulling-a-radiohead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/07/oasis-completely-dismisses-ever-pulling-a-radiohead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/07/oasis-completely-dismisses-ever-pulling-a-radiohead/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Radiohead's 2007 album In Rainbows has enjoyed critical and commercial success since it was released last October through a unique "pay-what-you-want" scheme directly from the band and its management team. Likewise, many fellow artists have come out in favor of the scheme or against the method used by the English band. Fellow English band Oasis, however, has completely dismissed any notion that the band will ever duplicate that method, citing expenses incurred during the recording of new album Dig Out Your Soul over the course of the past year.

A new report by Gigwise reveals the band's position and reasons for it, with Oasis calling the Radiohead method nothing more than a marketing tool. Noel Gallagher, Oasis' lead songwriter and guitarist, did call Radiohead "rebels and outsiders" when commending Radiohead's method as a unique marketing tool.

Oasis signed a new deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment, a joint venture between Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) and Germany's Bertelsmann Music Group, last month that will see the band's own label, Big Brother Recordings, release the new album while Sony BMG oversees the band's back catalog and previous releases. The deal is a more traditional arrangement in today's market and environment that makes the new comments against Radiohead unsurprising.

Continue reading Oasis completely dismisses ever 'pulling a Radiohead'

Oasis completely dismisses ever 'pulling a Radiohead' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bertelsmanndig out your soulDigOutYourSoulin rainbowsInRainbowsoasisradioheadMon, 07 Jul 2008 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Bono applauds Radiohead for the method used to release 'In Rainbows']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/30/bono-applauds-radiohead-for-the-method-used-to-release-in-rainb/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/30/bono-applauds-radiohead-for-the-method-used-to-release-in-rainb/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/30/bono-applauds-radiohead-for-the-method-used-to-release-in-rainb/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Despite criticism by Irish band U2's manager Paul McGuinness over Radiohead's method for releasing In Rainbows last October, U2's lead singer Bono has published an open letter in NME disagreeing and applauding Radiohead for the album and how it was released. McGuinness told the BBC in early June that the method was "a failure and backfired" because "it still resulted in over 60%-70% of listeners acquiring the album through illegal channels."

Bono's letter to NME, printed in last week's issue, takes a sharp left turn from his manager's opinion, calling Radiohead "courageous and imaginative in trying to figure out some new relationship with their audience." Bono also remarked how "blessed" he feels "to be around at the same time" as "a sacred talent" like Radiohead. U2 have recently taken steps to reach their audience, joining forces with Live Nation Inc. (NYSE: LYV) in a deal that will market their music and concerts with related products from one location.

U2 is still signed to Universal Music Group for the band's record releases, which may have been one reason McGuinness came out against the method Radiohead used last year. Neverthless, the disagreement between manager and lead singer is insignificant compared to the applaud Radiohead continue to receive from fellow artists. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, a band that was also signed to Universal Music Group, has also come out in support of Radiohead's method, even though he, too, took issue with some aspects of it. Reznor has since released two NIN albums the same way.

Bono applauds Radiohead for the method used to release 'In Rainbows' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BonoIn RainbowsInRainbowsinthenewLive NationLiveNationLYVRadioheadU2Universal Music GroupUniversalMusicGroupMon, 30 Jun 2008 18:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Oasis ready to release new album via deal with Sony BMG]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/19/oasis-ready-to-release-new-album-via-deal-with-sony-bmg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/19/oasis-ready-to-release-new-album-via-deal-with-sony-bmg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/19/oasis-ready-to-release-new-album-via-deal-with-sony-bmg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

British band Oasis have reportedly signed a new record deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment via the band's own record label Big Brother Recordings. Big Brother will release the band's new material while Sony BMG, a joint venture of Sony (NYSE: SNE) and Germany's Bertlesmann Media Group, handles distribution of the new album and the band's back catalog in all markets, and the two companies will share profits. Music newspaper NME additionally reports that all signs indicate the first album as part of the new arrangement will be released this fall.

The band has been associated with Sony BMG in some form or another since its first album was released in 1994. Creation Records, the band's first label in the United Kingdom, handled distribution and release there, while Sony handled the same duties in other markets, including the United States. When Creation folded in the late 90s and Big Brother was set up, the same arrangement was kept. The band's last album of new material was released in the U.S. by Sony BMG's Epic Records, while the band's final album under the old contract, a "best of" compilation, was released by Columbia Records.

Oasis' management reported that the band is excited about the deal and the prospects that it gives the band in "building on the band's already considerable international success." The band's management reported that the new deal "allows the band to take advantage of all the opportunities presented by the new business models available today as well as remaining totally in control of their own destiny." Other band's at the same level of international success as Oasis, like Radiohead or Nine Inch Nails, have pursued different business methods than more traditional record labels.

Oasis ready to release new album via deal with Sony BMG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Big Brother RecordingsBigBrotherRecordingsmusic industryMusicIndustryOasisRadioheadSony BMG Music EntertainmentSonyBmgMusicEntertainmentThu, 19 Jun 2008 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[U2 manager critiques free music methods]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/10/u2-manager-critiques-free-music-methods/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/10/u2-manager-critiques-free-music-methods/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/10/u2-manager-critiques-free-music-methods/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to U2's manager Paul McGuinness, the revolutionary and landmark method English band Radiohead used last fall to release the album In Rainbows was a failure and "backfired." Talking to the BBC, McGuinness critiqued the band and the "pay-what-you-like" method because it still resulted in over 60%-70% of listeners acquiring the album through illegal channels. He told the BBC that U2's forthcoming new album, due this fall, would not be released in a similar method at all.

The primary reason U2's album will not be released like Radiohead's In Rainbows, is probably because the Irish quartet is still contracted with Universal Music Group for album releases. Radiohead released In Rainbows without the assistance of a record label or any firm of the music industry. Their management and the band's website was utilized to oversee the release of the album. Perhaps McGuinness realized how much would be required for him if U2 chose that method? The new U2 album is due near the end of October, regardless.

McGuinness also told the BBC that physical sales "are still an enormous part of [U2's] business and [the band] still sell a lot of actual CDs." Although Radiohead did not release In Rainbows on CD in the beginning, when the CD appeared in January it went straight to number one in various countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The band has still not revealed exact figures from the experimental method, but that has not kept other groups and critics from analyzing it, including McGuinness. The U2 album will likely sell well, but that shouldn't mean that a download-only method initially was a failure.

U2 manager critiques free music methods originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mcGuinnessradioheadU2Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiohead catalog now on iTunes]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/03/radiohead-catalog-now-on-itunes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/03/radiohead-catalog-now-on-itunes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/03/radiohead-catalog-now-on-itunes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fresh off the heels of a successful mini-tour of the United States, Radiohead's former label, privately-held EMI Group, has released a new greatest hits album and made the band's back catalog available on Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iTunes Store. British-based download retailer 7digital first scored Radiohead's back catalog last September but was only able to sell the music as album-based downloads, but without the anti-piracy technology digital rights management. iTunes will offer DRM-free files, but also individual track downloads in addition to album-based purchases.

The back catalog's availability on iTunes follows the band acclaimed seventh, non-EMI released album, In Rainbows, by about five months. According to Billboard, "Radiohead had been holding out because of its desire for fans to buy the albums in complete form, rather than as individual tracks." Billboard also quotes unnamed sources that claim "iTunes always had the option of selling Radiohead's back catalog in album-bundled form, but did not do so, in keeping with the fact that the overwhelming majority of artists sell their music as individual track downloads on the service."

Billboard calls iTunes practice of offering individual track downloads over album-bundled forms "a smart one from a financial standpoint." Digital sales of In Rainbows accounted for 106,000 of its 526,000 copies sold. It is also a good one for the industry since single track downloads have grown in popularity and make it easy for listeners to choose what they want to hear from artists. Even though Radiohead tracks are available as individual track downloads now, it would be unsurprising if the albums did not also witness nice sales from new and old listeners.

Radiohead catalog now on iTunes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLinthenewsiTunesRadioheadTue, 03 Jun 2008 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Is the music industry devaluing its own product?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/02/the-music-industry-is-devaluing-its-own-product/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/02/the-music-industry-is-devaluing-its-own-product/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/02/the-music-industry-is-devaluing-its-own-product/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I've been thinking about free digital downloads for a while now, and with the success such models have seen in the last seven months or so (since Radiohead's In Rainbows was released), it would seem only natural that the record labels would recognize that value in their product should not be based on money or profits. Automatically I realize that the kind of suggestion I have made is detrimental to the music industry and the artists that produce music, even when some of the said artists are embracing free download business models. Nevertheless, it is not surprising in the least to see the music industry fighting tooth and nail to retain some control over the business they rightly think they should control.

Continue reading Is the music industry devaluing its own product?

Is the music industry devaluing its own product? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAMZNColdplayinthenewsRadioheadMon, 02 Jun 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Music artists have new palettes with digital methods]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/31/music-artists-have-new-palettes-with-digital-methods/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/31/music-artists-have-new-palettes-with-digital-methods/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/31/music-artists-have-new-palettes-with-digital-methods/#commentsFiled under: , ,

British rock trio Muse revealed to music newspaper NME Friday that the band's new material may be released more "organically" in the future, versus reserving it for an album release. This idea of taking the "album" out of the equation is something that many bands have been quoted as saying in the last couple of years, most notably Radiohead. Drummer Dom Howard is quoted as saying that the new methods of digital releasing and downloading "presents a canvas to do whatever you want and just release music as and when it is ready to release," that is, more organically.

The new "canvas to do whatever you want" should not indicate that Muse (or any other band) is "against the concept of releasing an album in the traditional format." Howard maintains, "If we group a bunch of tracks together, it's because they're meant to be together as a unit." The new formats are most exciting for new listeners and consumers, in Howard's opinion, since they do not typically purchase an album on CD. Despite Radiohead's success at releasing an album solely via the internet (and for free), Howard also denied that Muse would duplicate that method. He and his Muse bandmates just remain open to new ideas for the music industry.

Organically released music would make more sense in the market as it grows closer and closer toward single-track downloads. The most obvious case in favor of releasing music as soon as it is ready is Coldplay's recent free download of single "Violet Hill" in support of the band's new album. While it was not released as soon as it was ready and was intended to directly promote the album, it did enjoy high downloads and put word about the band, the band's return, and the new album out there rapidly and well in advance of the album's release next month. Singles did not originally correspond directly to albums, so why shouldn't the music industry return to that idea?

Music artists have new palettes with digital methods originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 31 May 2008 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ColdPlaydigital musicDom HowardinthenewsMusemusic downloadmusic industryRadioheadSat, 31 May 2008 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' finally debuts at #1]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/10/radioheads-in-rainbows-finally-debuts-at-1/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/10/radioheads-in-rainbows-finally-debuts-at-1/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/10/radioheads-in-rainbows-finally-debuts-at-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In Rainbows In Rainbows, the media scrutinized album by Radiohead, first released online last October, finally achieved a number one chart position in the band's home country of England earlier this week. The album also scored a number one position in the Billboard 200 chart, after entering at #156 last week due to early releases. The release last week brings to a close the three months that media outlets have scrutinized the band's decision to release the album online to fans at pay-their-own-prices, and demonstrates the "traditional" success possible after such a gimmick.

According to Billboard, the top position in Britain is the fifth time Radiohead has enjoyed such success. The band's first number one album was 1997's OK Computer, followed by 2000's Kid A, 2001's Amnesiac, and 2003's Hail to the Thief. A new single off In Rainbows, "Jigsaw Falling into Place," is set to be released in the United Kingdom next week, which will surely enjoy success on its own as well as promoting the album further.

Neither the band nor its management has released any viable information elaborating on the success of the band's decision to release the album online, and the physical release -- the "discbox" -- which the band released alongside the download was unavailable to enter charts when it finally hit streets in early December. While it is impossible to determine what kind of precedent the download release and the new CD version will set for the music industry, Radiohead has enjoyed similar success in the past. Both 2000's Kid A and 2003's Hail to the Thief saw online leaks before being released and eventually enjoyed major chart success, a number one and number three in the Billboard 200 respectively.

Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' finally debuts at #1 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>In RainbowsInRainbowsmusic salesMusicSalesRadioheadThu, 10 Jan 2008 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[What will 2008 hold for the music industry?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/09/what-will-2008-hold-for-the-music-industry/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/09/what-will-2008-hold-for-the-music-industry/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/09/what-will-2008-hold-for-the-music-industry/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

With the monumental changes the music industry experienced in 2007, this year has large shoes to fill in order to see if the developments will continue or stall. One of the biggest developments that will likely continue to change is the place of anti-piracy technology, namely the use of Digital Rights Management software (DRM). It's been quite a while since EMI Group plc (ADR) (OTC: EMIPY) decided to halt its use of the technology (last April) and since then the other majors have been slow to adopt similar stances, while EMI has changed hands (literally) becoming a part of European-based private equity firm Terra Firma.

Sony BMG, a merger between Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) and Germany based BMG, have recently debuted "MP3 cards" which will enable consumers to buy DRM-free albums from stores versus buying the tracks strictly from an online store. The program is intended to "bring digital stores into the physical retail space" with Sony BMG using the website MusicPass.com to allow buyers to retrieve albums. In essence, Sony hopes that the program will expand both the digital and physical markets. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iTunes Store debuted a similar program with Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) last autumn, but the new program will see a larger market due to the retail stores chosen to stock the cards.

Finally, the other major development is the band's Radiohead online-only decision to initially release an album without label involvement. Although this kind of move will likely not be repeated across the board, some bands have mentioned intentions to follow the direction and offer new music in a similar method. The problem with this method is that Radiohead is a firmly established act with a large fan base. New acts and smaller groups will still need to rely on the music industry to further their names unfortunately. It is unlikely that this method will ever be viable for a band unless they are firmly established and can foot the bill without label money. Of course, Radiohead itself has labeled the release an "official" leak, which means that it conforms to similar patterns that album releases face, albeit one from the band itself and not fans getting material out illegally before the CD is released.

It seems that the future of the music industry will rely on these kinds of developments, even if they are not successful. The benefit they bring to the industry is a new level of excitement and interest peaked in changing business practices and models.

What will 2008 hold for the music industry? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>album leaksAlbumLeaksBMGdigital downloadsDigitalDownloadsdrmradioheadWed, 09 Jan 2008 17:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiohead and former label exchange words after money claim]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/02/radiohead-and-former-label-exchange-words-after-money-claim/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/02/radiohead-and-former-label-exchange-words-after-money-claim/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/02/radiohead-and-former-label-exchange-words-after-money-claim/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It was bound to happen eventually. Backlash against English band Radiohead has emerged from the band's former label EMI Group plc (ADR) (OTC: EMIPY) in response to the method used to release the band's new album In Rainbows. You may recall that in October, Radiohead received a great deal of media attention and coverage after declaring that fans could "pay-want-they-want" for the new album. Despite hints that the band may have enjoyed a significant monetary figure from that decision, reports since then have claimed otherwise, stating the band took a loss when only about 40% of consumers paid any amount for the album.

The word slinging against Radiohead from EMI began late last week when an article for London-based The Times newspaper cited an EMI spokesman's claim that the band had demanded £10 million (roughly $20 million) upfront. Apparently, the £3 million offered by EMI and new chief Guy Hands was insufficient beside the fact that the label would not give up control over the band's previous six albums, a major point of contention for the band. According to the band's manager in the article, the band left the table when that point became unavailable. Radiohead front man Thom Yorke has since hit back at these claims in the band's official blog, dispelling the notion that Radiohead wanted a load of cash, while questioning EMI's decision to air its "dirty laundry" and backing the comments made by the band's spokesman.

Continue reading Radiohead and former label exchange words after money claim

Radiohead and former label exchange words after money claim originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital musicDigitalMusicemiIn RainbowsInRainbowsonline musicOnlineMusicradioheadWed, 02 Jan 2008 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Losers of 2007: Radiohead -- Hail to the thieves?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/22/money-losers-of-2007-radiohead-hail-to-the-thieves/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/22/money-losers-of-2007-radiohead-hail-to-the-thieves/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/22/money-losers-of-2007-radiohead-hail-to-the-thieves/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thom Yorke of Radiohead To an inordinate degree of fuss, British rock group Radiohead self-released its seventh album, In Rainbows, on its website back in October, employing a pass-the-hat pay model whereby downloaders could pony up what they wished for the album, from as much as 100 pounds (about $200) to as little as virtual pocket lint.

The band has kept mum on the actual download figures, as well as their take, but a comScore study on In Rainbows' early success estimated that just 38% -- less than two in five downloaders -- bothered to put up anything at all. comScore's findings -- which Radiohead has disputed -- suggest the band gave out some 744,000 copies of the record for free, not to mention all those unrestricted downloads that bewilderingly saturated the file-sharing piracy sites, despite their free availability.

Continue reading Money Losers of 2007: Radiohead -- Hail to the thieves?

Money Losers of 2007: Radiohead -- Hail to the thieves? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comScoreIn Rainbowsmusic downloadsRadioheadSat, 22 Dec 2007 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[EMI under scrutiny as former artists offer harsh criticism]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/20/emi-under-scrutiny-as-former-artists-offer-harsh-criticism/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/20/emi-under-scrutiny-as-former-artists-offer-harsh-criticism/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/20/emi-under-scrutiny-as-former-artists-offer-harsh-criticism/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

December has not been very kind to music company EMI Group PLC (OTC: EMIPY) and its new owners, the private equity group Terra Firma, led by Guy Hands. The company has come under fire from former artists like Paul McCartney and Radiohead, and it is now rumored that current artist Robbie Williams is looking to go elsewhere after the release of his next album.

Paul McCartney, that famous Beatle, recorded with EMI for 45 years before ditching the label earlier this year to sign a one-album deal with Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) Hear Music label, then a new creation. McCartney came out last week and vented his dissatisfaction with EMI, though his comments were about the company before Terra Firma bought a majority holding. In an interview with The Times, the former Beatle "accused EMI of being unimaginative" in the demands that he market the album by speaking to multiple journalists and giving EMI at least six months to market the album. McCartney also bashed the excessive time for marketing by comparing his situation to former band mate John Lennon's success at releasing a song in 1970 within a week of recording it. Reportedly, Guy Hands agrees with these sentiments about EMI under former CEO Eric Nicoli, but that does not change the fact that artists since the takeover have voiced similar concerns.

In the same queue, Radiohead has now come out slamming Terra Firma's policies and pushes at EMI since the takeover. If you remember, Radiohead created quite a stir in the music industry, the blogging world, and news outlets, after announcing in early October to immediately release In Rainbows, the band's seventh album, as a digital download first. Since then, the band has signed deals to release the album physically as a CD, but not with the band's longtime label EMI. The band's guitarist Ed O'Brien recently gave an interview to BBC "claiming that [Terra Firma] do not understand the music industry." Apparently, EMI was the band's first choice to release the album, but the new owners were unwilling to give the band what they wanted, and "didn't understand where a band like us sat on a label like EMI, so they weren't able to give us what we needed." Front man Thom Yorke mirrored these sentiments commenting, "now you're in a situation with private equity firms, [Terra Firma] looks at music as something to buy and then sell on."

Continue reading EMI under scrutiny as former artists offer harsh criticism

EMI under scrutiny as former artists offer harsh criticism originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatlesdigital downloadsDigitalDownloadsemimusic distributionMusicDistributionradioheadThu, 20 Dec 2007 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Chappell launches custom licensing model for Radiohead's 'In Rainbows']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/11/warner-chappell-launches-new-licensing-model-for-radiohead-album/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/11/warner-chappell-launches-new-licensing-model-for-radiohead-album/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/11/warner-chappell-launches-new-licensing-model-for-radiohead-album/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Billboard reported yesterday that Radiohead and long-time publisher Warner/Chappell Music, a division of Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG), have created "a unique 'all rights' digital licensing service for the alternative rock band's new album In Rainbows." This arrangement is in anticipation of the upcoming physical release of the album, following the two months it was available on a special website set up by Radiohead, which ended yesterday.

According to Billboard, Warner/Chappell set up a "global one-stop shop" which allows potential rights users to acquire the rights to the album from one location. In queue with Radiohead's initial decision to release the album without the music labels, this "one-stop shop" effectively removes those same entities from the rights process and keeps direct control with the band and the publisher. Jane Dyball, the senior VP of Warner/Chappell for European legal and business affairs, told Billboard that the arrangement is an "'experimental solution,' which should benefit Radiohead while 'providing all their licensees with a new, highly flexible service.'"

Continue reading Warner Chappell launches custom licensing model for Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'

Warner Chappell launches custom licensing model for Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital rightsDigitalRightsintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyinthenewsmusicmusic lawMusicLawownershippublishingRadioheadTue, 11 Dec 2007 16:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiohead to remove album from site]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/06/the-end-of-the-beginning-radiohead-to-remove-album-from-site/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/06/the-end-of-the-beginning-radiohead-to-remove-album-from-site/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/06/the-end-of-the-beginning-radiohead-to-remove-album-from-site/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In a new blog on Radiohead's webpage titled "The End of the Beginning," the band announced yesterday that new album In Rainbows would be removed next Monday from the download site set up in October to sell the album. This album has sparked widespread media coverage because of this website and the method used to sell it: without the music industry. The "shut down" of the download site comes as the band prepares to market and sell the album in a more "traditional" way through retail stores, according to NME's reading of the blog.

Billboard also reported that the band has now entered into talks with Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iTunes Store to sell the album in digital stores. It looks like the fan-oriented "pay what you want" feature will certainly be gone for good. Radiohead has apparently resisted a move to the iTunes Store because it allows consumers to "unbundle" albums, breaking up the continuity the band wishes to keep for every album. This has not kept other digital stores from selling Radiohead's albums; they simply do not allow the albums to be cut apart.

The "new" versions of In Rainbows will literally go on sale as the new year begins, with the physical CD release managed and distributed by TBD Records. Radiohead moving into iTunes would add another obvious omission from the store, but it does come at the expense of the experiment the band spearheaded in the last two months. It would be naive to expect any move by the band into iTunes to not follow in the same formatting as the download site had sold. The band's title for the change from their experiment to the "usual" methods seems very apt. Unfortunately, it feels like "the beginning" was more a test than a long-term change.

Radiohead to remove album from site originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital downloadsDigitalDownloadsradioheadTBD recordsTbdRecordsThu, 06 Dec 2007 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Post-holiday iPod-iTunes sales based on anti-piracy software?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/01/post-holiday-ipod-itunes-sales-based-on-anti-piracy-software/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/01/post-holiday-ipod-itunes-sales-based-on-anti-piracy-software/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/01/post-holiday-ipod-itunes-sales-based-on-anti-piracy-software/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In the United Kingdom, retailers have "urged the music industry to drop piracy protection for online downloads after new figures showed the average Briton has bought fewer than three digital tracks in the past three years" according to the Financial Times. The Entertainment Retailers Association also states that anti-piracy methods have inhibited growth in the digital market and are "working against the consumer interest." The three tracks in three years figure is slightly hard to believe, but another point in the article made me think about the upcoming holiday season and digital music players.

The Financial Times remarked that the ERA is urging the music industry before the Christmas season because hopes are that digital sales could grow tremendously in January for consumers that want to load up their new players. While the average user might not be able to tell the technological benefits of Digital Rights Management (anti-piracy) free tracks, they can certainly enjoy the ability to easily transfer said track without having to worry about the tedious protection measures. Unfortunately, anti-piracy protection seems to inevitably require the consumer to sign in and confirm purchases, no matter the length of time since it has occurred.

DRM-free technology (anti-piracy) software has come under fire since February when Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) Steve Jobs challenged the music industry to drop usage of the technology. So far the challenge has only been partially successful with London-based EMI the only music company to fully drop DRM and offer higher quality tracks for sale in various digital stores, including iTunes. The other music companies have not been as quick to adopt a DRM-free position, with Universal Music Group the only other label even beta testing files without it.

Continue reading Post-holiday iPod-iTunes sales based on anti-piracy software?

Post-holiday iPod-iTunes sales based on anti-piracy software? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLanti-piracy protectionanti-piracy softwareAppledigital downloadsDigital Rights ManagementDRMEMIEntertainment Retailers AssociationiPodiPod TouchiTunesmusic industryRadioheadSteve JobsUniversal Music GroupSat, 01 Dec 2007 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiohead managed self-released album as an 'online leak']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/20/radiohead-managed-self-released-album-as-an-online-leak/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/20/radiohead-managed-self-released-album-as-an-online-leak/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/20/radiohead-managed-self-released-album-as-an-online-leak/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For the last month and a half, the buzz on the music industry has revolved around the monumental move by English band Radiohead to self-release a digital version of its seventh album and allow fans to set their own price. It seems Radiohead never had any intention of revolutionizing the music industry; instead the band was attempting to curb a trend of online leaking before an official release, according to an interview transcribed by newspaper NME.

Singer Thom Yorke explains, "every record that we've done for ages has been leaked. Why not leak the bloody thing yourself?" Yorke is referring the the band's previous three albums, which were leaked in the weeks prior to their releases. For the band's 2000 album Kid A, the leak managed to propel the album to #1 in the Billboard 200. Not a bad thing at all really, but it does take the control away from the band.

The front man also revealed that he paid nothing for In Rainbows (it would basically have been like "moving money from one pocket to another"), seeming to acknowledge the rumors that the release was nothing more than a publicity stunt for the pending CD release later this year. In the end, Yorke also admits that the digital move also "came from the band's management who didn't want to release an album while out of contract."

No matter these revelations, the album and its initial release should still be viewed for the changes that will be wrought in the music industry. Radiohead should refrain from being so modest.

Radiohead managed self-released album as an 'online leak' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital downloadsDigitalDownloadsIn RainbowsInRainbowsonline musicOnlineMusicradioheadTue, 20 Nov 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[More blues for the record industry: Sales to plummet]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/more-blues-for-the-record-industry-sales-to-plummet/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/more-blues-for-the-record-industry-sales-to-plummet/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/more-blues-for-the-record-industry-sales-to-plummet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A new report indicates that worldwide music sales will drop some $5 billion by 2011. The 18-page discussion of music sales also indicates that the drop from $31.8 billion last year to $26.2 billion four years from now will also play out in U.S. sales, with a $2 billion drop occurring. The loss is attributable to "plummeting CD sales" and "faster-than-expected declines in sales of physical recordings in key markets."

In reality though, such a loss should not be unexpected. Digital sales are simply less expensive than physical sales and as a result of other high commodities more accessible. Digital growth has taken off this year, following EMI's drop in use of Digital Rights Management technology, which prohibits the piracy of downloaded media files. Of course, the big news and more long-lasting growth was Radiohead's decision to initially release their new album online, DRM-free, and giving fans the option to pay what they want.

The true discussion should be, and in some sectors is, the value of music. Some say Radiohead has lowered that value, while others argue that music is a freedom all consumers should not have to pay extravagantly for. But if, in four years, this report becomes a reality, rather than a prediction, we should be ready to blame the record industry for failing to adapt to the changing market as swiftly as it should have. Consumers deserve the "pay as they want" scheme because it adds a level of excitement (and concern) to the industry that was not there two months ago.

More blues for the record industry: Sales to plummet originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CD salesDRMinthenewsmusic industryRadioheadrecording industryFri, 16 Nov 2007 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Paul McCartney says Beatles are going digital next year]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/14/paul-mccartney-says-beatles-are-going-digital-next-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/14/paul-mccartney-says-beatles-are-going-digital-next-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/14/paul-mccartney-says-beatles-are-going-digital-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In an interview with Billboard, Paul McCartney has revealed that The Beatles catalog is ready to go on sale digitally next year. He has also revealed that the delay "has been due to contractual issues as well as deliberate planning by all parties involved." Unfortunately, the motivation for McCartney to divulge this information came in a press release for his new DVD and the re-release of his new album Memory Almost Full, where he also pleads with fans to buy the new version and the original version released earlier this year, claiming that they are not the same thing. (It almost makes me feel like a tool since I have both.)

The big news here though is the release of The Beatles digitally, which has the potential to completely revolutionize the music industry, just like the band did in the 1960s. Of all the major artist catalog's not available on the web, The Beatles is perhaps the most striking. Other holdouts such as Led Zeppelin and Radiohead have made the leap in the last couple of months. This release will theoretically be much larger, considering that fans will be buying second, or third, or fourth copies, while new listeners more attuned to digital releases will be buying this music for the first time. The potential for massive music sales are very exciting.

The rumors that The Beatles were going digital in 2008 have been long standing, at least since the 2007 release became impossible in recent months (the solo Beatles catalogs seemed to take precedence). No official word from a Beatle or representatives had been issued until now, which means this interview has given credence to those spreading rumors (luckily, it also validates their claims). In the end, all you need is love and for fans in 2008 they will have what they have been hoping would happen for some time.

Paul McCartney says Beatles are going digital next year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatlesdigital beatlesDigitalBeatlesled zeppelinLedZeppelinonline musicOnlineMusicradioheadThe BeatlesTheBeatlesWed, 14 Nov 2007 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Oasis won't be 'pulling a Radiohead' with new album]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/14/oasis-wont-be-pulling-a-radiohead-with-new-album/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/14/oasis-wont-be-pulling-a-radiohead-with-new-album/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/14/oasis-wont-be-pulling-a-radiohead-with-new-album/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Although the band has only recently started working on a new album, Oasis front man Liam Gallagher told Billboard yesterday the band would not follow in Radiohead's footsteps and release its new work to fans for any price. According to the singer, it would be over his "dead body" before the band took a similar tactic, especially considering how "hard he works." That sentiment did not prevent the band from releasing a download-only single last month, which peaked at #10 in the UK Singles Chart.

Like Radiohead though, Oasis is without a record contract, having fulfilled obligations to Sony BMG with the release of 2005's Don't Believe the Truth. According to the same news report, the band is following a similar structure and schedule recording the new album, working with the same producer, Dave Sardy and enjoying contributions from all band members. Prior to Don't Believe the Truth, lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, Liam's older brother, was the primary songwriter and contributor. The new album, as yet untitled, is expected for release late next summer.

As with Radiohead, Oasis will enjoy a similar freedom with this release when it is ready next year. The band may not take the same route releasing it or giving fans more access, but expect the members to sign with a label that allows them to retain control over their work. The downside, of course, is that the situation both bands are in is truly only accessible to bands as famous and as popular as they are. With the changes they promote though, hopefully that tendency will drop off as the music industry is checked and questioned.

Oasis won't be 'pulling a Radiohead' with new album originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>oasisradioheadWed, 14 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiohead launches TBD Records to release 'In Rainbows' disc]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/12/radiohead-launches-tbd-records-to-release-in-rainbows-disc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/12/radiohead-launches-tbd-records-to-release-in-rainbows-disc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/12/radiohead-launches-tbd-records-to-release-in-rainbows-disc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

RadioheadRadiohead continues to take its own music industry path, with the news this morning that the U.S. release of its seventh album, In Rainbows, will come through a record label set up by the band -- TBD Records. As previously reported, the album will arrive at the very end of 2007 in international markets, with the U.S. release date two days later on January 2. (Please see my comment for updated status of this information.)

Of course, In Rainbows is more famous already for the stir it created when Radiohead announced in early October that the album would be available as a download-only for the time being. Fans who passed on the download will now have their chance to buy the CD. A spokesperson told Billboard that the meaning of TBD is attributable to the fact that the band and ATO Records, who are distributing the release "ran into trouble in trying to clear all previously discussed potential label names." Although it seems clear that a reference to the moniker "to be determined" would not be too far off the mark.

Radiohead may have been taking revolutionary steps with the release of In Rainbows so far, but this move is nothing new. Bands since the 1960s have created their own record labels: The Beatles and Apple Records, The Rolling Stones and their creative Rolling Stones Records label. Even their 1990s brethren have started labels to manage their own music -- Oasis started Big Brother Recordings in 2000. At least Radiohead is taking the necessary measures to keep control of their music and their label, or so it seems. The Beatles and the Stones may have not had issues with EMI managing their material, but Oasis has reportedly been unhappy with Sony BMG's control over its music and label.

Radiohead launches TBD Records to release 'In Rainbows' disc originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>In RainbowsInRainbowsmusicmusic industrymusic labelsMusicIndustryMusicLabelsRadioheadrecord labelsRecordLabelsTBD RecordingsTbdRecordingsMon, 12 Nov 2007 17:21:00 EST