So a week ago, Radiohead launched their latest album to the masses sans-label. They are offering it directly to their fans. That in itself is something pretty rare. But what makes them even better is that they are offering their music to you for whatever you feel like paying them. That’s right, you decide. $0.01 or $30.00 (or more), its your decision.
Some industry people were wondering if the gamble would pay off. Apparently, it has. It is rumored that Radiohead sold somewhere around 1.2 million albums in the first day alone, speculation is that they probably made $10 million in the single day. The best part? Its all theirs, no cut for labels, no cut for stores.
Soon after Radiohead’s announcement, Trent Renzor of Nine Inch Nails fame followed suit. He’s going to offer his next album online in digital form. This comes not long after his giving permission to fans to steal his music. He is/was annoyed that the labels & stores are ripping off his fans by charging more for his albums than for most anyone else’s knowing his fans will pay it.
I have no doubt that if he does indeed go the digital route, that he too will reap the rewards of going label free (apparently he has already dropped his label). I wonder how many others will deem to follow suite? How many other smaller bands may band together to offer their music on "private" labels, amounting to hosted sites that take care of the distribution and payment processes.
My buddy John asked a good question: "What will this mean for the Record Stores?"
Well, frankly. Times are changing. Music Store chains are feeling the pinch. Those who see what is coming and adapt will survive in at least a fashion.
Personally, I see these stores turning into more of a media boutique, offering their patrons access to media lounges and offering terminals that allow users to brows music, listen to new artists or artists similar to what they have on their devices, the terminals would scan an attached media player, see what that user likes and suggest similar artist or even highlight local artists & shows/events. The user could then download new songs (paying for them, unless they are promotional or paid for my the user watching a brief ad or two). These stores could also offer traditional media (CDs, DVDs, Records, etc) as well as specialized or collector box sets, (similar to Radiohead’s offering on their site).
Stores that adapt in this or similar ways will survive, those that don’t will frankly perish as many have already.
Locally, our Sam’s closed down last year blaming Music Piracy (which I believe was a bullshit accusation). There has been news of others shutting down or down sizing as well.
I don’t believe it will happen overnight, but it will happen in the next few years. People don’t want to buy CDs anymore, especially since they only use the cd as a method of getting the music on their MP3 player. many more are buying their music from online stores such as iTunes or Amazon.
This leads to another beautiful change, one that both Radiohead & NIN are embracing: DRM free media. Those in know are realizing that DRM only slows pirates down, it doesn’t stop them. DRM only annoys your paying user. You have no right to tell me that the music I PAID FOR can’t be played on my MP3 player, and my home computer/media center. I should be able to listen to it where ever and whenever I want.
The recent changes we are seeing in the online marketplace shows that end users want DRM free music and are willing to pay for it. Apple recently (today I believe) reduced their DRM tracks in price to be equal to DRM music. Amazon I think has been DRM free from the go, and others as well. Give me a choice & I’ll get DRM free or crack the DRM with tools like fairPlay4WM.