“It’s up to you.”

Posted by Maximum Fun on 30th September 2007


The popular band Radiohead (maybe you’ve heard of them?) will be selling their newest CD, at least initially, as a digital download from their website. Unremarkable. Except for this: they’re taking any payment for that download. Not any form of payment — any amount of payment. They give you the files, you give them whatever amount of money seems appropriate. No limits in either direction.

Revolutionary.

We don’t yet know if the files will be DRM-free, but imagine people putting all their creative efforts into the creation of sound — then giving it away without restriction, and asking only for donations in return. Throwing their work out into the digital ether without promise of compensation. Rolling the dice and feeding peoples ears (and minds) without certainty of feeding their own mouths.

Starting to sound familiar at all?

My kudos to Radiohead for jumping on the bandwagon ;).

While you’re waiting for that new Radiohead record, and if you haven’t already… please donate to support The Sound of Young America.

As the rock and roll guys put it: