Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich Exit Spotify In Protest: “New artists get paid fuck all.”
"We're off Spotify", Nigel Godrich tweeted on Sunday, referring to his Atom For Peace project with Radihead's Thom Yorke and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. "Someone gotta say something. It's bad for new music.."
For some artists and labels, Spotify and other music streamers are delivering significant income. But for others – particularly newer artists and some established ones with new releases, streaming music is seen as cannibalizing sales without delivering sufficient revenue in return. It's a perception that, if Spotify and others can't shake, will hinder growth among core music consumers.
"The reason is that new artists get paid fuck all with this model.. It's an equation that just doesn't work,: Godrich continued in a series of Tweets." The music industry is being taken over by the back door.. and if we don't try and make it fair for new music producers and artists…hen the art will suffer. Make no mistake. These are all the same old industry bods trying to get a stranglehold on the delivery system
"…listening to spotify instead of buying records in 1973… I doubt very much if dark side would have been made.. It would just be too….expensive." Godrich concluded an hour later.
Thom Yorke chimed in, "Make no mistake new artists you discover on #Spotify will no get paid. meanwhile shareholders will shortly being rolling in it. Simples." And then this morning York added, "for me In Rainbows was a statement of trust .people still value new music ..that's all we'd like from Spotify. don't make us the target."
If this perception spreads with the artistic community, it could lead to increased windowing – streaming services not getting a new release until weeks or months after its debut. Thus, making Spotify and competitors far less attractive to the masses, who expect the availabilty of all their music whenever and wherever they want it.
MORE: Spotify, CEO Ek Respond To Thom Yorke & Nigel Godrich's Noisey Streaming Exit
As in music, as in life, new artists are the reason old artists still make sales. If the band can’t upgrade with a CURRENT market, they are already fired. D.J. Airoarave Pitboss.