Radiohead manager to launch new record label

(Image courtesy Flickr user Rainsoaked)

Brian Message, best known as one of the managers for the best band in the world, is said to be launching a new record label that will allow artists to retain greater ownership of their intellectual property. This article in NME says the new label, Polyphonic, plans to offer artists a 50% base share of profits, with that percentage increasing as an act grows more successful. Reports also indicate that Polyphonic's primary method of distribution will be online.

Although specifics details have not been released, the new company's policies look set to place emphasis on the digital distribution of music and may see release plans similar to Radiohead's 2007 album 'In Rainbows', which fans could choose how much to pay for when downloading it. Polyphonic is a joint venture between Message's company ATC and management firms MAMA Group and Nettwerk Music Group, reports the Telegraph.

(via PSFK)

More in the aforementioned Telegraph article: Radiohead manager teams up with Mama Group to launch record label

[#1 posted by Tdawwg, July 7, 2009 4:38 PM]

Wilco's manager is Tony Margherita, not Brian Message.

[#2 posted by Xeni Jardin, July 7, 2009 4:39 PM]

snap! I spoke in the singular, but I think in multitudes. I agree that Wilco is simultaneously the best band in the world.

[#3 posted by Tdawwg, July 7, 2009 4:48 PM]

Teehee! A poem on RadioWilcoHead:

"They're both so great / they should collaborate!"

[#4 posted by pAULbOWEN, July 7, 2009 5:02 PM]

Although specifics [sic] details have not been released...

...policies look set...

...may see...

I'm sure it'll all be just fine.

[#5 posted by Keir, July 7, 2009 5:18 PM]

To be pedantic, he's not THE manager of Radiohead. He's one of four.

[#6 posted by Anonymous, July 7, 2009 5:26 PM]

What a coincidence... I'm currently listening to The Bends. Incidentally, Radiohead haven't been anywhere close to "the best band in the world" since the nineties.

[#7 posted by RichSPK, July 7, 2009 5:42 PM]

I'm sure no one (besides me) will confuse Polyphonic with Polygram.

[#8 posted by DWittSF, July 7, 2009 6:20 PM]

Will they sign the Polyphonic Spree?

[#9 posted by arlopickens, July 7, 2009 6:54 PM]

I didn't know that Brian Message was Alice Donut's manager

[#10 posted by kevinerickson, July 7, 2009 7:03 PM]

Xeni, I don't think there's anything particularly new about the amount of copyright control that artists are getting with this new label. 50% of profits is the standard cut at most fairly run independent labels--all the old veterans: Touch & Go, Dischord, K, etc used the 50% model.

If the artists are to retain the copyright for the original master recordings (the article doesn't make that clear), that's a little more unusual, but still not at all novel. Many labels do this already.

[#11 posted by key, July 7, 2009 7:20 PM]

@KevinErickson: Is the distribution method novel? It seems so to me, but I don't know much about the industry.

[#12 posted by dd528, July 8, 2009 7:46 AM]

Factory Records (Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, Cabaret Voltaire, &c.) operated a 50-50 profit split between label and artist, and artists retained all publishing rights to their music. I think they operated for years without even signing contracts with their artists.

Of course Factory bankrupted itself in a blaze of glory, but not without making a stellar cultural contribution to music along the way. RIP Tony Wilson.

[#13 posted by Charlie Lesoine, July 8, 2009 7:48 AM]

Radiohead is still the best band in the world. At least they were in 2007.

[#14 posted by Anonymous, July 8, 2009 8:44 AM]

Alice Donut doesn't have a manager, but the new album comes out in September 2009.

[#15 posted by carriem, July 8, 2009 11:11 AM]

Did you see the Grammy's?

Radiohead = Best Band in the World. EVAR.

[#16 posted by Anonymous, July 9, 2009 12:05 PM]

i hope they sign nine black alps!!!!!

[#17 posted by Anonymous, July 12, 2009 5:33 PM]

yeah that might actually be a good lable for nine black alps