What we really need is a way of attaching proper viewable artwork and sleevenotes to MP3s, to complete the artistic/creative side of things… I’ll have to give that one some thought!

But one thing definitely in Radiohead’s favour is their track record of making special editions worthwhile. They hid extra booklets in some copies of Kid A (and finding one before the news was out that they’d done that was a good experience). There was the map they sent out with another album. And crucially, the hidden special features tend to be closely linked with the artistic vision of the records.

So fans know that if they pay for the box set, the book they get won’t be some cheap thing designed to dupe us, it’ll be an interesting piece we’ll probably spend quite a bit of time with. The extra CD will probably be pretty good, not a load of rough cuts of the band being goofy in the studio. And so on.

In other words, Radiohead have done enough to build trust with their fans, that people are willing to risk a lot more money than they would on some band whose new album might amount to a few good tunes if we’re lucky. And that gives them license to try something like this.

So… how should a new artist–who hasn’t had time to build that level of trust–react to that?

Of course that argument is untenable really, as it then becomes the small truly independent artist , like yourself, who really cant afford to get ripped off, gets ripped off. In that sense it really does make me personally think and want to support the small but perfectly formed independent artist by buying CD’s and attending gigs, in your case catching up with seeing you at Greenbelt, which I try to do. (‘ere steve, when are you going to do a gig in the west country? I know you were here in Bath at the forum for a workshop!)
Being old fashioned, i do like something phhysical to hold onto, like a CD and would much prefer to buy that than have a download. Having said tha, Your idea re Lessons learned is great, and I have to admit to buying the one I didnt have. I would like a reissue on CD though!
Keep going Steve you’re producing valuable and worthwhile, wonderful music!

I’ll happily pay something similar to what I pay Napster for downloads (£8.95 for most new albums, I paid that for downloading Joni Mitchell’s new one) though if the material was more like The Bends or OK Computer, I’d happily pay more ;O)

I have also bought CD copies of albums which I already own on vinyl, because I do like the physical ownership of albums too.

Having said all of that, I do have a sizeable number of less than legally obtained MP3s, so I’m no saint, and I’m not averse to checking out artists I’m either unaware or uncertain of before considering spending some money, though I do sometimes buy CDs without having heard anything, if they’ve been recommended by someone who’s opinion I respect.

I do buy CDs from people I see live where possible, as I like to support people who are not just chasing the big bucks, and recognise that for many of them CD sales are an important part of their income.

That doesn’t mean that an artist or band signed to a major label is fair game for stealing their product, but if I’m honest, I’m probably not as uncomfortable about it if that’s the case.

It’s ok for Radiohead to try something like this, because they don’t need the publicity a record company’s money can give them – I’ve seen mention of the new Radiohead album on just about every net site I visit – in the same way, Prince’s selling of his album to a national Sunday newspaper worked because people already knew who he was, if my band did the same as Radiohead I doubt anyone would know it had happened ;O)

(in fact I’m sure of it – we had some recent studio recordings free to download from our myspace page and I don’t recall a single comment about it, though I’m sure some did download the songs)