(PR) Q Prime, one of the premier artist management firms, announces the launch of mom&pop music company. Based at Q Prime's New York offices, the new record label will be helmed by Michael Goldstone and distributed via RED."In continuing Q Prime's legacy of building careers, we've decided to make the long term commitment to add recorded music and publishing to our family, hence mom&pop," says Q Prime's Cliff Burnstein. "Our ambition is not to be 'indie' or 'major." Instead, we are striving toward what would now be considered a boutique label, taking our inspiration from great historical music companies like A&M, Chrysalis, Sire, and Island - labels that maintained the best balance of cultural importance and commercial appeal."
Joshua Radin's Simple Times, mom&pop's first release, reached No. 1 on both iTunes' Album and Alternative charts a mere 48 hours after its digital release last Tuesday. Scheduled for physical release on September 30th, Simple Times was produced by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith) and features guest appearances by Patty Griffin and Meiko. The album is the follow-up to Radin's 2006 release We Were Here. (www.myspace.com/joshuaradin).
Australian indie duo An Horse, comprised of Kate Cooper and Damon Cox, have signed to mom&pop via Sara Quin, who met the pair during one of Tegan and Sara's Australian tours. "Kate's lyrics about love, relationships and the tendency to fixate on disabling neurosis in oneself have become my mission statement," said Quin, who will A&R their full-length debut, scheduled for January 2009 release. "I get goose bumps, electrical currents running up my arms listening to them - I love this band." An Horse just wrapped up a series of Australian dates with Death Cab for Cutie and will play October 22 at 205 in NY, NY as part of the 2008 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival. The duo will launch a U.S. tour on October 20 in Arlington, VA. (www.myspace.com/anhorse).
"The freedom you have as an independently owned music company is empowering. With that comes the responsibility of building successful careers with your artists while maintaining their trust and integrity." says Goldstone, who exited his position as President of Sire Records in May 2008 to join Q Prime.