Radiohead manager Brian Message is set to launch a new record label Polyphonic.
Radiohead remain a truly ground breaking act. Their album ‘In Rainbows’ is perhaps their finest album since 1997’s peerless ‘OK Computer’, and has inspired a new way of releasing music in the record industry.
After departing their long term home EMI, Radiohead began working on a new way of releasing their music. ‘In Rainbows’ was released at the end of 2007, and was initially available as a pay what you like download.
An instant success, the blend of music and technology seemed to capture the imagination of music fans. A legal and inventive alternative to illegal downloading, ‘In Rainbows’ seemed to present a way forward for the music industry.
Signing with XL Recordings, Radiohead’s eventual physical release of ‘In Rainbows’ flew to the top of the charts in both Britain and the United States. Their most successful album in some time, it has pushed Radiohead back into the upper echelons of the charts.
Now it seems that the band’s manager Brian Message is set to put those techniques into practice with new acts. Forming new record label Polyphonic, Message aims to put artists first by allowing his charges to retain copyright of their material.
The new label is a joint venture between Message’s company ATC and management firms MAMA Group and Nettwerk Music Group.
A report in the Telegraph claims that artists could receive up to 50 per cent of the profits, with their share increasing with success. Adam Driscoll, co-chief executive of MAMA Group, explained: “We will do whatever is most effective to get an artist noticed. Giving an album away for free may get one million people listening to a new artist.”
MAMA Group, which has a market value of £38.4m, will provide most of the initial $20m of funding. The venture will seek additional funding going forward, with private equity groups expected to be targeted when the economy recovers.
Polyphonic is set to release its first album later this year.
