In this modern era of online streaming, ubiquitous music piracy and fledgling record labels, bands are always looking for creative ways to get their songs to as many people as possible. While plenty of artists are content to give their albums away, Earphunk decided to take that concept to the next level. In a bold move, the New Orleans prog-funk quintet released their latest studio effort, Sweet Nasty, for free via BitTorrent—a full six weeks before Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke put the popular online file-sharing platform in the headlines when he pulled a similar stunt.

“We took a shot in the dark,” recalls lead guitarist Paul Provosty. “We had no clue how it was going to end up, but it just skyrocketed. It went viral.”

Embracing the realities of digital music distribution paid dividends almost immediately, especially after the album was featured on BitTorrent’s official “Staff Picks” blog. Within one week of its release, Sweet Nasty had been downloaded by almost half a million people. Soon after, Earphunk signed with Paradigm Talent Agency, the home of jamband mainstays like Phish, Dave Matthews Band, STS9 and Umphrey’s McGee.

“It’s kind of a dream come true,” says guitarist/lead vocalist Mark Hempe. “We’ve always looked up to the way these bands [with Paradigm] have done it. They’ve done it right, and they’ve had the right team behind them to help them do it. We’re where we’ve always wanted to be.”

While releasing the album through BitTorrent was undoubtedly a wise choice, the album’s success shouldn’t be pinned entirely on the method of distribution. Recorded over a few days at Studio in the Country outside Bogalusa, La., Sweet Nasty finds Earphunk polishing their future-funk sound, but still capturing the rip-roaring grooves and spontaneous guitar freakouts that make their live show such a treat.

“Sweet Nasty was our baby,” says Provosty. “We brought this thing home, we did all the mixing ourselves and that’s what helped to create this really organic thing. We’ve been going to all these places five or six times in the last couple of years, and we’ve seen a big difference [in the number of fans] because we’ve been doing it relentlessly,” explains Provosty. “That was our original plan, and it has definitely paid off.”