Radiohead’s most recent album, In Rainbows, was launched extremely successfully using a pay-what-you-can model, and a new website, Aralie, is banking that this model can work for smaller bands as well. Says the website:

Aralie.com was created to support independent artists, by giving them a free market place to sell and promote their music. We are dedicated to helping small artists by doing anything we can to help them get exposure, gigs, sponsorship, and interviews. All music on Aralie.com will always be available DRM free, with no strings attached, and always downloadable for what ever price you choose (including $0).

After talking to Wyatt, the man behind this operation, and browsing the site, I feel pretty optimistic that the pay-what-you-can model can thrive. Even if the average download generates just a couple dollars, that’s still matched with the money from a traditional record deal - minus all the hassle and controlling influences. And I love Aralie for how little they demand from the artists that use their download service - no contracts, exclusivity, any of that shit. I just hope that people will throw a few bucks to the up and coming bands, not just the Radioheads of the world. I guess we can just watch and find out.