Chess Club Records has announced a new independent investment from Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw, new worldwide distribution through AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, and new releases by Bloxx, Alfie Templeman, Yaeger, Phoebe Green and Casi & The Blind Harpist.
The taste-maker record label was founded back in 2007 and over its ten plus years has enjoyed a number of great discoveries and successes; from pressing the first releases by the likes of WolfAlice, Jungle, Sundara Karma, Mumford & Sons and M Ø. Chess Club has that rare stamp of quality and a trusted reputation for consistently unearthing the best emerging artists.
Chess Club has always released singles and EPs independently and until recently has released albums such as those by MØ, Sundara Karma and Billie Marten via a Joint Venture with RCA/Sony. However, now the label has announced an investment from Coran Capshaw of Red Light Management and a new worldwide distribution set-up through AWAL.
Chess Club will by A&R’d as ever by founders Will Street & Peter McGaughrin but will now be able to access resource from Red Light’s 8 offices around the world (including marketing, creative services, brand partnership, radio & online teams) as well as via AWAL’s recording distribution services and will work with Coran Capshaw and his teams to grow Chess Club into a significant force in the independent label world.
Coran Capshaw says “ We’re very pleased to partner with Will Street and Peter McGaughrin to help them take Chess Club into a new chapter. Over the past 10 years Chess Club has shown consistently good taste and ambition in their A&R approach to unearthing and developing exciting new artists globally. With our infrastructure around them, I’m confident we can grow a successful roster together and it will be a valuable partnership in our masters business alongside ATO Records”.
James Sandom, Red Light’s UK MD, says "We’re delighted to form a new partnership with Chess Club. Will & Peter's A&R focus and creative vision has been present for all to see with an array of great releases in the last decade, we look forward to helping them build the Chess Club reputation further in this next chapter, establishing a rhythm of releases with the entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility that defines the best modern record labels”.
Will Street says “Chess Club has always had an independent heart. An indie ethos and culture has been at the center of everything we have built from our approach to releasing music to collaborating with artists so to now have the opportunity to fully stand on our own two feet and be the masters of our own destiny is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to being able to work with a diverse range of creative and inspiring artists.”
Peter McGaughrin says “Having partnered with Red Light for my management business, I’ve seen first-hand how rich the worldwide resource in touring, marketing, radio, brands, festivals is within the company is and how long-term artist development is the core philosophy. It feels like a natural fit and we’re excited for the next phase of Chess Club”
Paul Hitchman, President, AWAL added, “Chess Club has consistently discovered and developed exciting and innovative artists. AWAL is committed to supporting the best independent artists and labels, and this new partnership is therefore a great fit. We look forward to working with Will, Peter and Red Light to open up new opportunities worldwide for Chess Club and their artists.”
As part of the new set up, Chess Club will be announcing imminently new signings and releases by artists Bloxx, Alfie Templeman, Yaeger and Phoebe Green.
