It’s around the traps at the moment that British art-rock band, Radiohead are signing with Starbucks’ record label, Hear Music. Paul McCartney has apparently done so.

Could this be true, or further from the truth?

Radiohead is extremely anti-corporation and anti-globalisation. Lead singer, Thom Yorke is an active member of Friends of the Earth which exemplifies the bands participation in global issues, i.e. Global Warming.

Starbucks, on the other hand, has been critisised for its fair-trade policies, labor relations, and environmental impact. I don’t see how the two consort?

Personally, I think the concept of coffee shop-cum-record label is a great idea. What do people in a coffee shop enjoy doing? Reading a book/magazine and listening to their music. What sort of people are portrayed as frequenting a coffee shop? University students in a hurry for class and arty-farty types that enjoy weak-decaf-soy-latte. What an extremely captive audience!

Obviously these above views are generalist but I am sure plenty of you will agree, they are fairly on-the-money.

I see Radiohead and Starbucks as being compatible if it weren’t for the fact that Starbucks is Starbucks. If they had the right culture and their head in the right place I could understand. I think this is all just speculation. I believe Radiohead will manage themselves in-house.

Pajago