New independent label Big Picnic Records launched this week with the debut EP from British singer-songwriter WALL. Big Picnic is distributed by Sony/RED and capitalized by private investors, and has also formed a strategic relationship with Paradigm Talent Agency. Paradigm's Marty Diamond will provide A&R support to label general manager Patti Hauseman.
Big Picnic's initial roster also includes Foxes and JOHNNYSWIM. Foxes is the alter ego of the London-based singer and musician Louisa Rose Allen. Her debut single "Youth," with its resplendent synths, industrial percussion and by turns searing and soaring vocal, garnered more than two million combined Soundcloud and YouTube plays, and 13,000 Hypemachine 'likes,' plus synchs on CW's "Gossip Girl." She followed it up with the "Warrior" EP in the summer of 2012, and is the featured vocalist on Zedd's fast-rising EDM single "Clarity."
JOHNNYSWIM is the Los Angeles duo of Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez. The two began writing and singing together in 2006 and found that their similar influences of folk, soul, and rock blended together lusciously. Nashville's daily newspaper, The Tennessean, describes JOHNNYSWIM as "a mix of Lauryn Hill and John Mayer."
Marty Diamond says of the idea behind Big Picnic, "It seems like a logical outgrowth of our efforts to support the development of new artists. The artists signed thus far are unique and very exciting."
WALL's U.S. manager, Mike Mulhern of Intelligent Noise, said, "No matter what label you go with its always a leap of faith for the artist and management, but for a new label Big Picnic doesn't show its youth. The experience and genuine care from the label has been beyond what we could have hoped for thus far." U.K. manager Elisa Aimi adds, "We have been thrilled working with Big Picnic as they are incredibly committed to their artists and releases. Their experience and knowledge of the industry is second to none, and their team is dedicated to achieving success."
Dougie Bruce, head of Foxes' Sony-affiliated British label Sign Of The Times, said, "We're thrilled to partner with Big Picnic for Foxes in the U.S. Their experience and passion is exactly what we need, and we look forward to working with their team to break Foxes in America."
JOHNNYSWIM manager Jay King says, "Its not often in your career that you have a chance to work with a legend, we are honored to have that chance with Marty Diamond. He and the Big Picnic team are setting a new pace for the future of music, we at JOHNNYSWIM and KINGmgmt. are excited to be apart of it."
