Thom Yorke Takes Muso Rights Fight To Spotify

15 July 2013 | 10:42 am | Staff Writer

Yorke tells fans musicians' rights come first.

Radiohead's Thom Yorke and collaborator Nigel Godrich have pulled their music – including band Atoms For Peace and Yorke's solo work – from streaming service Spotify, arguing that they're standing up for musicians' rights.

After Godrich announced the news on Twitter Yorke weighed into the conversation after someone claimed, “Your small meaningless rebellion is only hurting your fans ... a drop in the bucket really”.

Yorke replied, “No, we're standing up for our fellow musicians.”

In his initial rant, Godrich posted, “Anyway. Here's one. We're off of spotify. Can't do that no more man. Small meaningless rebellion… The reason is that new artists get paid fuck all with this model. It's an equation that just doesn't work. 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 then the art will suffer. Make no mistake.

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“These are all the same old industry bods trying to get a stranglehold on the delivery system. The numbers don't even add up for Spotify yet. But it's not about that. It's about establishing the model which will be extremely valuable.

 

“Meanwhile small labels and new artists can't even keep their lights on. It's just not right.”

He added, “If you have a massive catalogue – a  major labelm for example – then you're quids in. It's money for old rope. But making new recorded music needs funding. Some records can be made in a laptop, but some need musician and skilled technicians. These things cost money. Pink Floyd's catalogue has already generated billions of dollars for someone (not necessarily the band) so now putting it on a streaming site makes total sense.

“But if people had been 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.”

Yorke them weighed into the discussion, responding to questions from users.

“Make no mistake new artists you discover on Spotify will no get paid,” he said. “Meanwhile shareholders will shortly being rolling in it. Simples.”

Electronic artist Four Tet also threw his support behind their decision.

 

 

The sustainability of streaming services has been a source of much discussion recently, with Rdio's CEO telling theMusic.com.au that the sector's impact has yet to be seen. The corporate world is not yet convinced of their profitability, though.

Editor's note: Twitter quotes edited for grammar