Essential signs raft of label deals

Friday July 9, 2010

Arts& Crafts is home to artists including Jason Collett, Dan Mangan and Zeus. The agreement will see Essential cover the label’s distribution and services across Europe,

Dine Alone has just signed Hot Hot Heat and looks after acts including Parlovr and Wooden Sky. Essential will now look after their services and distribution within the UK and Ireland as well as acquiring catalogue from Moneen and Attack In Black.

The company has also inked a Europe-wide services deal with leading US independent label Vagrant. The first project under the new agreement is indie-pop/rock Broken Social Scene collaborators Stars, whose album The Five Ghosts was released across Europe on June 21.

The band, who were previously signed to City Slang (Co-operative) for Europe, have already received heavy rotation across Germany for lead single Fixed, with a slew of forthcoming press coverage supporting the UK campaign.

The deal also finds Essential representing catalogue from the Hold Steady, Alkaline Trio, Get Up Kids as well as international new releases for Vagrant.

A services deal for Europe has also been agreed with the management of alternative metalers Helmet, with albums from the band set for release on the Work Song Incorporated label.

Essential Music director Mike Chadwick says he is thrilled by the additions to the company and adds, “The fact we have signed three of the best American labels goes to show their faith in Essential and this increases out standing in the States which is fantastic.”