Spotify & Smiths producer Stephen Street react to Thom Yorke

"Spotify's goal is to grow a service which people love, ultimately want to pay for, and which will provide the financial support to the music industry necessary to invest in new talent and music," a spokesperson tells UK’s Music Week.
"We want to help artists connect with their fans, find new audiences, grow their fan base and make a living from the music we all love.
"Right now we're still in the early stages of a long-term project that's already having a hugely positive effect on artists and new music,” they continue. “We've already paid $500M to rightsholders so far and by the end of 2013 this number will reach $1bn. Much of this money is being invested in nurturing new talent and producing great new music.
"We're 100% committed to making Spotify the most artist-friendly music service possible, and are constantly talking to artists and managers about how Spotify can help build their careers."
Yorke has also been criticised by Stephen Street whose production CV includes The Smiths, The Cranberries and Blur.
"Bit rich coming from Thom Yorke that Spotify doesn't work for new artists,” he observes. “It's exactly what I said when Radiohead made their album available for free/pay what you want a few years back. Suits superstars with 10 years of EMI investment behind them. It didn't help new upcoming artists at all. Gave the wrong message that music had no value. It's bitten you on the arse Thom!"