Former Muse tour director Glen Rowe has launched a management company combined with recording and rehearsal facilities, Music Week can exclusively reveal.
In the latest issue, Rowe talks about his ambitions for Kyoto, which aims to give artists - and guitar bands in particular - time and space to flourish as they develop their sound and build a fanbase.
Kyoto is designed to support all aspects of an artist’s early career and includes guidance on A&R, live development, design and digital, publishing and marketing.
It follows the launch of Rowe's grassroots live charity initiative, the Neko Trust.
Alongside a management company, Kyoto is also launching a recording studio, rehearsal studio and writing room, on the 22-acre Larkins farm just outside London near Shenfield. The recording studio boasts a classic analogue MIC 500 Rev D mixing desk, previously owned by John Entwhistle of The Who, alongside the latest technology. One special feature is the Drumbrella, which allows acts to change the characteristic of the drum sound without moving the drum kit.
The studios are now open for booking to all artists. Kyoto offers artists under management free use of the writing rooms, rehearsal spaces and recording studio.
“We want to work with acts who know their sound and make you feel alive when they play," said Rowe. "We love artists acts that buck trends, those are the ones we’re going help to realise their massive, bold ambitions. We’ve built a world-class recording studio, because we want to give raw emerging talent the opportunity to be creative – without worrying about the cost. The UK has always punched above its weight with big bands, and at Kyoto we plan to keep that tradition alive.”
The UK has always punched above its weight with big bands, and at Kyoto we plan to keep that tradition alive
Glen Rowe
Rowe has toured with a number of bands including Manic Street Preachers, The Thrills, Ronnie Wood, Hard-Fi, The Kooks, The Magic Numbers and Amy MacDonald. He spent 18 years travelling the world with Muse as their tour director.
One of Kyoto’s first signings are King Nun, who are on the Dirty Hit roster.
“Working with Glen and the gang at Kyoto has been amazing," said singer Theo Polyzoides. "Glen knows the live business inside out and he’s using his knowledge from managing arena tours to help us to build our presence at bars and venues in the UK and US.”
Kyoto’s roster also includes developing singer-songwriters Mercy and Sian Kelly. The firm goes beyond music and is also working with British artist Kazland, Dutch music photographer Hans Peter and Italian creative director Eva Boursier.
The full-service management company draws on the talents of project manager Fleur Roberts-Hunt, studio engineer/A&R James Grant, head of touring and legal Francoise Haralamb and creative director Eva Boursier.
To read the Glen Rowe interview pick up the latest issue - or subscribers can click here. To subscribe and never miss a big industry story, click here.
PHOTO: Eva Boursier
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