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Portishead doubt future of 'free music'

Trip hoppers also reveal more about their new album

Portishead have dismissed the possibility that music will be distributed for free in the future, following Radiohead’s monumental decision to let fans download ‘In Rainbows’ for a price of their choice.

Geoff Barrow compared the idea of "free music" to not paying workmen for their labour.

Writing on the band’s website, he said: “So then...music for free, is it? Well, fucking great. So if you get our album for nothing or very little, does that mean I can get my boiler fixed for free?

"I could tell the plumber that it’s all for the love of sharing and it’s to combat the evil money grabbing corporation that is Zanussi. I’m sure he will understand.”

However, he then denied he was criticising Radiohead’s actions, saying: “I’m not having a pop at Radiohead, they are fucking good and clever with it. Anyways, I’m sure it will all become clear at some point.”

Barrow also shed more light on the progress of the band’s third album, their first since 1997’s 'Portishead', saying: “We met the label the other day which was good, I don’t think we scared them too much...well, maybe a little."

He added: “Going to London to have a listen in a proper studio soon but until then we’re just mixing the stumps, stems, whatever. Thinking about names.”

Portishead tickets:

Date / Time Artist Venue Town/City Buy
Dec 17, 2009 19:30 Portishead The Deaf Institute Manchester

Buy Portishead tickets
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milkydisco 

Oct 12, 2007

So he's not saying too much then really. Though it does highlight the fact that despite what you read on the internets, it is the artists themselves who are most put out by file-sharing and p2p has nothing to do with sticking it to the man and everything to do with hitching a free ride (not that I'm knocking that). It's quite rare to hear an artist actually come out with this in public as they usually prefer their labels to do their bad cop work - I'm guessing either Geoff didn't get that memo or he's figured out how badly that tactic is backfiring.

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