- The first album by a Czech band whose price will be determined by fans
- From 1 March, the Karton veverek album will be available in digital format at t-music.cz
- It will be released on CD one month later
Prague, 11 February 2009 - On 1 March 2009 T-Mobile, in collaboration with Soundmachine, will release Wohnout's new album titled Karton veverek ("Box of Squirrels"). The company came up with an idea to test how much money Czechs are willing to pay for music. The album will be released digitally at www.t-music.cz and fans will be able to determine the price they pay to download it.
The album's release will mark the first time that a Czech band, and the record company, has taken such a bold and risky step. As CD sales and prices continue to decline, the label and the mobile operator are searching for a option that will be both an original solution and an agreeable compromise between the record company and the band's fans.
Since their formation thirteen years ago, Wohnout has always tried to put their fans first. Now, at the height of their popularity, they continue to do so by, for example, reducing the price of tickets to their concerts in smaller towns. It is therefore no coincidence that the Homola brothers, Zdeněk Steiner and Jiří Zeman came up with the idea that their fans should be able to determine the price they are willing to pay for the new album. The musicians can only guess now what the fans' reaction will be. "I'd like to make some predictions but this is very much like sailing into uncharted waters," says the band's singer and guitar player Honza Homola, adding: "But we're not worried. Even if nobody sends anything, we're not going to starve. Besides, we are backed by a big sponsor without which we would be unable to take such a bold step."
Letting fans determine the album's price is so far the most noteworthy example of the freedom of choice that is an important element of all T-Mobile music services. "Thanks to mobile phones and our services, everyone can now take their favorite music wherever they go. Also, the selection of songs and albums at our digital music outlet, t-music PLAY!, is almost unlimited compared to brick-and-mortar music shops," points out Michal Němec, Vice President Mobile Portal & Content Services, adding: "With the ?pay-as-much-as-you-think-the-band-deserves' model we would like to give music fans the chance to determine the amount which in their view is appropriate when downloading music from the internet."
The new Wohnout album titled Karton veverek will be available for downloading in digital format at www.t-music.cz beginning 1 March. But starting tomorrow, 12 February, the portal will feature special pages dedicated to the band at www.t-music.cz/wohnout, where fans can exclusively view the new video for the "Kapela na šňůře" ("Band on Tour") single. The album will be released on CD one month later.
The album's release does not by any means mark the end of the collaboration between t-music and Wohnout. Another t-music tour headlined by Wohnout and UDG is planned for the second half of the year.
About Wohnout
Wohnout was formed thirteen years ago and the band still has its original line-up. The band has released five albums and one DVD and has been involved in various side projects. Wohnout came to the attention of audiences mainly thanks to their frequent concerts in clubs, arenas and at festivals, where they are now regular headliners. Wohnout's members are Matěj Homola (vocals, guitar), Zdenek Steiner (drums), Jiří Zeman (bass) and Jan Homola (vocals, guitar).
t-music
t-music represents all music-related activities of T-Mobile intended particularly for young people for whom music comprises an important part of their lives.
The www.t-music.cz portal features caller tunes and ringtones, and the t-music chart with video clips and music-related news. An integral part of this portal is t-music PLAY!, the largest Czech digital-music outlet, offering more than one million songs by more than 60,000 artists from around the world.
Through t-music, T-Mobile presents concerts of Czech and foreign artists, supports music festivals and, through the www.stage.cz portal, also new singers and bands.
For more information, please visit www.t-music.cz.