Radiohead manager launches new record label

[Radiohead Brasil]

"Brian Message helps oversee artist-friendly label PolyphonicRadiohead manager Brian Message has launched a new record label, Polyphonic, which will allow artists to keep their copyright.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.Artists are likely to get a 50 per cent share of profits, with their share increasing with success.Outlining the principles of the label, 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."It is yet to be announced which acts will be working with Polyphonic."NME.COM First For Music Newshttp://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/45856More...Radiohead manager teams up with Mama Group to launch record label

MAMA Group, the AIM-listed artist management firm, and Radiohead's manager Brian Message are taking on the music majors by launching a record label through which artists retain their copyright and digital delivery of music is key.Founded with an initial financial commitment of more than $20m (£12.2m) for its first year of operation, new label Polyphonic will partner artists and their managers to provide them with capital to operate their businesses without going to a traditional music label.Radiohead famously launched In Rainbows as a digital download that customers could order for whatever price they saw fit.The new label – a partnership between ATC, of which Brian Message is a partner, MAMA Group and Vancouver-based artist management firm Nettwerk Music Group, plans to look at innovative digital releases like this for both new and established artists.Adam Driscoll, the co-chief executive of MAMA Group, said: "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."For new artists, Mr Driscoll said Polyphonic would probably offer a 50/50 profit sharing deal, but established artists would retain a bigger share.MAMA Group, which has a market capitalisation 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 credit markets recover.By Amanda AndrewsPublished: 9:50PM BST 04 Jul 2009 -TELEGRAPH.CO.UKhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5743310/Radiohead-manager-teams-up-with-Mama-Group-to-launch-record-label.html