I'm sure this isn't the first time someone has said this about the new Radiohead CD, but given the amount of posts and msg's in IM and IRC that I've seen surrounding this "leak" I wondered if anyone else was thinking this...
CD Sales rarely make you any big money compared to having a successful tour or selling merchandise. I would assume Radiohead sells some of the highest amount of merch per fan in the industry - average is $2.50 or something per attendee. A band is lucky to get that much out of a CD sale when the dust settles between everyone else's royalty and point distro.
Ticket and Merch sales on the other had are extremely lucrative, especially compared to CD Sales. I don't think I would have/will buy this CD in the store... but that's mainly because 1) I hate CD's and dealing with them 2) Know that I will buy a ticket to their Summer Tour and probably encourage some of my friends to go to the show with me. I don't think I would go to see them had I not heard this CD via what are currently illegal methods.
The CD is called "Hail to the Thief.' I don't think this leak is a coincidence. I think the loss on CD sales that they may/may not suffer on this is leak considered part their marketing budget for the tour and merchandise. Though they may not publically go out and say this (thus attracting lawsuit attention from their publisher/label) - I really think thats what they are doing here. They get to be the "good guys" in the eyes of perhaps the most technically and musically discerning top 40 fanbase - and the "smart guys" within their peer group.
If this is the case, props to Radiohead. I like the CD too, it didn't usurp #1 on my playlist from Pinback today but I gave it a few spins. "Go to Sleep" is by far my favorite song.
CD Sales rarely make you any big money compared to having a successful tour or selling merchandise. I would assume Radiohead sells some of the highest amount of merch per fan in the industry - average is $2.50 or something per attendee. A band is lucky to get that much out of a CD sale when the dust settles between everyone else's royalty and point distro.
Ticket and Merch sales on the other had are extremely lucrative, especially compared to CD Sales. I don't think I would have/will buy this CD in the store... but that's mainly because 1) I hate CD's and dealing with them 2) Know that I will buy a ticket to their Summer Tour and probably encourage some of my friends to go to the show with me. I don't think I would go to see them had I not heard this CD via what are currently illegal methods.
The CD is called "Hail to the Thief.' I don't think this leak is a coincidence. I think the loss on CD sales that they may/may not suffer on this is leak considered part their marketing budget for the tour and merchandise. Though they may not publically go out and say this (thus attracting lawsuit attention from their publisher/label) - I really think thats what they are doing here. They get to be the "good guys" in the eyes of perhaps the most technically and musically discerning top 40 fanbase - and the "smart guys" within their peer group.
If this is the case, props to Radiohead. I like the CD too, it didn't usurp #1 on my playlist from Pinback today but I gave it a few spins. "Go to Sleep" is by far my favorite song.
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
e23sweetie:
Did you know there is a 1-800 number you can call and listen to the new cd.....its really cool.
koleeta:
happy birthday to us...even though you probably don't even read this anymore.