The Smashing Pumpkins
Sunday, October 4, 2009 by M. Maca
Continuing the theme of a post I made a few weeks ago, The Smashing Pumpkins new album 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' is set to be released in a very interesting and innovative way. In a post made by front-man Billy Corgan on the band's official website (here), the latest release will contain 44 tracks released one after the other for free with no strings attached.
This follows a current trend in the music industry similar to release strategies employed by other bands such as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails. It is increasingly interesting as new bands adopt new means of release for their music and one that I believe is constructive in taking control of new technologies.
This an attempt to combat the threat of piracy of copyrighted material. Releasing music in this way relaxes the strict laws currently present in much of the music produced in the modern day by allowing users the ability to share it with as many people as they please. As a result of this, what restrictions can artists hold over users of free content? Could we be entering an age where copyright laws exist merely in a grey zone, with enforcement becoming more difficult?
Bands and record labels utilising new media technologies in inventive ways is an exciting trend nonetheless for an industry in need of change.