Is Viral the Future of Music Marketing?

I lovelovelove this concept, both as a musician and as a music consumer.

Radiohead’s In Rainbows: A Look at Anti-Marketing in the Music Industry (an article by DoshDosh

When we, as independent artists and labels, put out music, we usually issue a request somewhere on the CD/tape asking people not to copy it, but instead to support us and encourage other people to buy their own copy of the music. What we are asking is not really for people not to copy the music, but for them to ensure that we are properly compensated for the effort and material costs of production. My experience tells me that whilst there will undoubtedly be people who download something and pay nothing for it, I also expect that there would be a high percentage of people who might add an extra pound or two onto the average price of a CD in order to let me know that they really like the music and support me. It would also enable me to get my music into the hands of some friends who don’t have much money, but would really like the music. And some of those people are probably nice enough to bung a couple of quid my way when they have it, too.

Hmmm. Of course, all I need now is some free time to create some music!