Vancouver firm Nettwerk Management is partner in Polyphonic
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | 1:13 PM ET
CBC News

A new record label created by Radiohead manager Brian Message and other partners will help artists launch their music digitally, without having to release copyright on their work.

Polyphonic is a partnership between Message's company ATC, MAMA Group of the U.K. and Vancouver-based artist management firm Nettwerk Music Group.

Nettwerk's Terry McBride has opposed digital rights management software and expressed an interest in getting music into the hands of fans in any format they prefer.

The label will experiment with innovative ways to launch music, especially digital formats, said Adam Driscoll of the MAMA Group in an interview with the London Telegraph.

There could be more releases like Radiohead's 2007 album, In Rainbows, which was available to download at a price decided by the customer, he said, mentioning a limited free release as an effective way to draw attention to new artists.

The label will be working with both new and established artists, but did not name any acts that may have been signed.

It said artists would get up to 50 per cent of the profits from any recording deal, with established artists having a chance to take a bigger slice of the returns.

Nettwerk Management handles the careers of artists as Sarah McLachlan, Great Lakes Swimmers, Sum 41 and Nathan.