Radiohead's Thom Yorke pulls music off Spotify in protest for new bands

Outspoken Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has pulled some of his music from streaming service Spotify in protest over the way up and coming artist are being treated.

Believing that services like Spotify exploit emerging bands and artists, Yorke has pulled his first solo album The Eraser and the new album Amok by his side project Atoms For Peace from the popular music streaming service.

“Make no mistake new artists you discover on #Spotify will no (sic) get paid,” tweeted Yorke. “Meanwhile shareholders will shortly being rolling in it. Simples.”

Radiohead bandmate Nigel Godrich spoke up in support of Yorke’s decision on his own Twitter feed, taking his own solo effort Ultraista off Spotify in the process.

“The reason is that new artists get paid fuck all with this model. It’s an equation that just doesn’t work,” tweeted Godrich over a number of posts.

“Plus people are scared to speak up or not take part as they are told they will lose invaluable exposure if they don’t play ball. Meanwhile small labels and new artists can’t even keep their lights on. It’s just not right.

“The music industry is being taken over by the back door.. and if we don’t try and make it fair for new music producers and artists…then the art will suffer. Make no mistake. These are all the same old industry bods trying to get a stranglehold on the delivery system.”

Fellow musician Four Tet (AKA Kieran Hebden) also chimed in in support of the Radiohead duo, though some fans were less pleased, tweeting that “Your small meaningless rebellion is only hurting your fans.” Yorke responded “No we’re standing up for our fellow musicians”.

Where do you stand? Is Spotify a valuable service that you wish all bands and artists were on, or do the rumours of low returns for musicians worry you? Let us know in the comments section below, or via our @techdigestnews Twitter feed.