Exceleration Music strikes deal to acquire legendary Chicago indie label, Bloodshot Records

Exceleration Music, the global music venture founded by leading indie sector executives Glen Barros, John Burk, Charles Caldas, Amy Dietz, and Dave Hansen for the purpose of investing in independent labels and developing their legacies, has struck an agreement with Bloodshot Records founders Rob Miller and Nan Warshaw to acquire the label. 

Born from the Chicago indie underground rock and punk community in 1994, Bloodshot became a cornerstone of Chicago’s music scene, defining not only a significant part of that city’s sub-culture, but blazing the trail for roots inflected indie artists.  These artists mixed and mingled traditional country, punk, gospel, bluegrass, alternative rock, R&B, metal, blues, and protest music years before there was critical language for the genres (such as “Americana” or “Alt Country”, neat labels for which Bloodshot artists were often too edgy).

Founded on artist-friendly principles, and a distinctly DIY mindset, the label began by supporting artists who were breaking new ground. Many of them have gone on to become extraordinarily influential, including Jon Langford, the Waco Brothers, the Old 97’s, Neko Case, the Sadies, Alejandro Escovedo and Robbie Fulks. These were followed over the ensuing years by a  diverse mix of independently-minded acts including Justin Townes Earle, the Bottle Rockets, Laura Jane Grace, Wayne Hancock, Kelly Hogan, Andre Williams, Bobby Bare Jr.,  Ha Ha Tonka, Luke Winslow-King, Lydia Loveless, Sarah Shook, Cory Branan, Graham Parker, Scott H. Biram, Murder by Death, William Elliott Whitmore, and many more. 

The label also became known for its annual Bloodshot BBQ at the Yard Dog gallery in Austin Texas. Beginning as the first SXSW day party, this went on to become a cornerstone event for the festival and a meaningful reminder of the label’s down-home yet powerful outsider label identity.

In recent years Bloodshot has experienced more difficult times, leading to irreconcilable differences between the founders and uncertainty for the artists on the label. The deal will see Exceleration assume full operational control of the label, which will include working to ensure that all commitments to the Bloodshot artists are met. Exceleration also plans to embark on a long-term campaign to revitalise the presence and availability of the Bloodshot catalogue both digitally and physically.

Bloodshot joins a growing roster of companies that Exceleration has invested in or partnered with, including fellow legendary Chicago label, Alligator Records (celebrating its 50th anniversary this year). Exceleration has also acquired the venerable jazz label Candid Records, and partnered with the renowned Ray Charles Foundation, with whom they launched the recent True Genius box set and digital campaign. 

Exceleration partner Dave Hansen commented, “Bloodshot is a vitally important part of American music history, a genre-defining label founded on passion and vision, dedicated to bringing a unique set of artists from its musical orbit to the world. It represents exactly the kind of company that fits Exceleration’s founding ethos, which is to preserve and enhance the legacies of extraordinary independent companies and artists. We are honored to have the chance to work with the music from Bloodshot’s artists, to make sure the future interests of those artists are protected. We look forward to working to keep the Bloodshot history alive and relevant for many years to come.”

Laurens Kusters, representative of the Justin Townes Earle estate, said of the deal, "We are happy to see that the team at Exceleration Music, a team that includes people I’ve known and worked with for over two decades, has taken ownership of the label, safeguarding its catalog and artists en-route to a prosperous future."

Howard Greynolds of Overcoat Management (Lydia Loveless, Glen Hansard, Iron & Wine) added, “The team behind Exceleration Music brings to the table a level of experience and integrity that is much needed in this moment.  I look forward to working with them in both protecting and creating new opportunities on the catalog Lydia Loveless has with the label.”

About Exceleration Music 

Exceleration Music is a partnership of global music industry leaders who have come together to invest in the future of independent labels and artists. Exceleration offers personalized solutions to entrepreneurs seeking capital to achieve growth as well as those trying to achieve liquidity or an honorable exit — preserving and enhancing the legacies of both the entrepreneurs and their artists alike. To date, Exceleration has strategic relationships with Alligator Records, Candid Records and the Ray Charles Foundation.  Learn more at www.excelerationmusic.com.