Essential Kicks Off Midem 2012 With Clutch Of New Signings
- Essential sign up The Orchard for physical distribution across Europe
- Ink Fierce Panda, No Sleep and Lojinx labels
- Paul Buchanan, Betty Wright and DragonForce come aboard
5pm 29th January Cannes: - Essential Music & Marketing has gotten off to a flying start at this year’s Midem with a clutch of key artist and label signings including Paul Buchanan and Fierce Panda Records, as well as a deal to handle physical distribution across Europe for digital aggregator, The Orchard. Among Essential’s artist signings is The Blue Nile’s Paul Buchanan, who releases his debut solo album via a label services deal for Europe - his first record since 2004’s Silver selling album, High.Fresh from her appearance on Jools’ Annual 2011 Hootenanny, Essential have also signed Grammy-nominated Betty Wright for label services across Europe. This will include her latest album Betty Wright: The Movie (recently released in the US by S-Curve), recorded with legendary soul/hip-hop mercenaries The Roots.Another artist joining for European label services is flaming power metal axe masters DragonForce. The band are preparing to release an album with new lead singer, Marc Hudson, on their own on their own Electric Generation Recordings label, followed by a world tour.Essential has also signed several cutting edge labels, including West Coast Indie No Sleep Records, for European distribution. Fierce Panda, home to Kabeedies & Electricity in Our Homes, is about to become that much more fierce with Essential handling physical distribution for UK and Eire, whilst Essential will provide distribution for Europe as Lojinx prepares to release the 5th solo album of Raconteurs founder-member Brendon Benson.The Orchard artists covered by Essential’s distribution include Therapy?, soon to release their thirteenth studio album and tour Europe, and blues rock legend Dion. Said Mike Chadwick, Founder and MD of Essential said: “It’s great to have so many well-regarded labels and artists come on board. 2012 has kicked off with a bang, and we’re looking forward to coming back from Midem with even more good news” New Essential signings:The Orchard - Physical distribution across EuropePaul Buchanan, Betty Wright, DragonForce - European label servicesNo Sleep - European distributionFierce Panda - UK and Eire physical distributionLojinx - European distribution
About Essential Music & Marketing
Essential Music & Marketing has been redefining the roles of distributor and record label since its inception in 2003 by Mike Chadwick, former MD Vital Distribution and Martin Goldschmidt, owner of Cooking Vinyl Records.Essential is part of the Cooking Vinyl group, which comprises of Cooking Vinyl Records, Essential Music & Marketing and Cooking Vinyl Music Publishing, which is run by Paul Kinder, a former director at Chrysalis.www.essential-music.com