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DiS has been talking with Radiohead drummer Phil Selway about the industry reaction to last year's download-for-nowt long-player In Rainbows, and its impact on the music industry.
When asked if the band ever expected the download release to create the waves it did - leading to many other acts 'doing a Radiohead' - Selway commented:
"I don’t think we ever expected that. The release did seem to gather a head of steam that was in some ways way beyond the release itself.
"When we finally decided to release it as a download, which was only a week and a half, or two weeks, before announcing it, there was that moment where we thought: “Will anyone be interested? Will anyone care about it?” That was exciting, because it felt slightly risky, and also it seemed a very proactive way of getting music out to as many people as possible.
"It could have been taken on (a gimmicky) level. We felt we’d done the best work that we could at that point, so we were as confident as you ever can be before a release, with the music itself. But it was great to get positive feedback (for In Rainbows)."
In Rainbows, three years in the making, was DiS readers' best album of 2007, one of many accolades. Responding to this, Selway replied: "Aw, bless them."
Consider yourselves blessed, readers. Our full interview with Phil - touching upon the stress of touring OK Computer, balancing family matters with a music career and returning to the studio in the near future - is HERE.
UK/Ireland dates:
June
7 Dublin Malahide Castle
24 + 25 London Victoria Park
27 Glasgow Green
29 Manchester Old Trafford Cricket Ground
