Counting Crows go file-sharing: four free songs on BitTorrent.com

File sharing: a promotional tool, not only piracy. Counting Crows have decided to release a bundle of four songs off their new record "Underwater sunshine (Or what we did on our summer vacation)" on BitTorrent.com. The bundle also includes a digital booklet, complete with release notes for every track on the record, which is made entirely of cover version of other artists's song - and a letter from band leader Adam Duritz.

The singer, speaking with Torrent Freak, has explained the move: “I’ve been a big proponent of giving songs away for a long time, I can dwell on the negatives, but I don’t want to miss out on the fact that there’s 150 million people who I can give songs to. You either treat it as just a money drain, like the record companies do. Or you can treat it as it actually is, which is a conduit, meaning it runs both ways".

Duritz goes on explaining that, in his view, file-sharing is the new radio: a great medium to reach and engage a potential audience. This move has been made possibile by the band's independent status: Counting Crows did not renew their contract with major label Universal, nor did they seek another one, and decided to do everything on their own, self-publishing their music. The band has also performed a small concert for YouTube, which you can see below.