Exceleration Music has entered into an settlement to accumulate iconic UK-headquartered unbiased music firm Cooking Vinyl, which it describes as “one of many UK’s most profitable and long-standing music corporations”.
Based in 1986, Cooking Vinyl is house to a roster of artists that features Shed Seven, Suzanne Vega, Passenger, The Prodigy, The Cranberries, Billy Bragg, The Darkness, Deacon Blue, 47 Soul, Roger Waters and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Exceleration stated on Monday (June 9) that Cooking Vinyl will proceed to function independently, led by Managing Director Rob Collins and his group.
Founder Martin Goldschmidt will stay in his present capability as Chairman.
US-headquartered Exceleration was launched by 5 indie sector executives in January 2021, backed by what it described as “substantial funding capital”.
The music enterprise remains to be led by its group of unique founders, together with Glen Barros (former CEO of Harmony Music Group), Dave Hansen (Govt Chairman of Merlin and former GM of Epitaph), Charles Caldas (former CEO of Merlin), Amy Dietz (former GM of Ingrooves) and John Burk (Grammy-winning producer and former President of Harmony Information).
Up to now, Exceleration has acquired or fashioned “strategic relationships” with independents together with +1 Information, Alligator, Azadi, Bloodshot, Candid, Down The Street, Heroic, Kill Rock Stars, Mack Avenue, Mother+Pop, Redeye Worldwide, SideOneDummy, The Ray Charles Basis/ Tangerine Information and Yep Roc Information.
Most lately, Exceleration stated that the acquisition of Cooking Vinyl brings collectively “two influential forces within the unbiased music sector.”
The deal arrives lower than two years after Exceleration acquired unbiased digital and bodily distribution/providers firm Redeye.
In keeping with the businesses, Cooking Vinyl will combine into Redeye’s distribution platform and acquire entry to Exceleration’s world infrastructure, “considerably increasing its progress alternatives worldwide”.
Exceleration additionally stated it can faucet into Cooking Vinyl’s “famend artist advertising and marketing experience,” whereas crediting Cooking Vinyl as “the originator of artist providers with its signing of Billy Bragg in 1993, and a confirmed worldwide chief within the area”.
Cooking Vinyl Publishing UK, Cooking Vinyl Publishing Australia and Motus Music aren’t included throughout the acquisition.
The acquisition comes throughout what Exceleration referred to as “one of the vital profitable and dynamic durations” in Cooking Vinyl’s practically four-decade historical past. In 2024, the corporate achieved two No.1 UK albums for a similar artist with Shed Seven.
Earlier No.1 albums for Cooking Vinyl embrace releases by Passenger and The Prodigy. Most lately The Darkness debuted at No.2 within the UK charts with their album Desires on Toast.
“At Cooking Vinyl, we’ve labored tirelessly to assist our artists obtain each creative and business success — with out ever compromising their uniqueness or inventive management. This deal enhances that mission.”
Rob Collins, Cooking Vinyl
Commenting on the deal, Collins stated: “At Cooking Vinyl, we’ve labored tirelessly to assist our artists obtain each creative and business success — with out ever compromising their uniqueness or inventive management.
“This deal enhances that mission. Our artists will nonetheless profit from our close-knit, extremely personalised group that mixes deep trade experience with old school onerous graft.
“However now, with the expanded US capabilities, enhanced sources, and the broader world attain of the Exceleration construction, we’re capable of supply even stronger assist to our present and future roster. I sit up for working with their group to spearhead this subsequent part for Cooking Vinyl!”
“I’ve recognized and admired Redeye and key members of the Exceleration companions since 1988 and am very happy that our future might be with individuals who perceive and respect who we’re, and the place we belong.”
Martin Goldschmidt
Added Goldschmidt: “I’ve been working an unbiased label for over 40 years. This deal takes the label to the subsequent degree and presents far larger alternatives for our group and our artists.
“The cultures and synergies between our corporations are immense. Making a worldwide proposition is the plain one however extra essential to me are the shared values of dedication to independence and caring about artists and our group.
“I’ve recognized and admired Redeye and key members of the Exceleration companions since 1988 and am very happy that our future might be with individuals who perceive and respect who we’re, and the place we belong. I sit up for serving to information Rob and his group to understand Cooking Vinyl’s full potential in my position as Chairman for a few years to return.”
“The addition of Cooking Vinyl, and their spectacular group, to the Exceleration system represents a major step ahead in our mission to put money into market-leading independents globally.”
Glen Barros, Exceleration
Glen Barros, Founding Associate of Exceleration, stated: “The addition of Cooking Vinyl, and their spectacular group, to the Exceleration system represents a major step ahead in our mission to put money into market-leading independents globally.
“Cooking Vinyl not solely brings a set of exceptional artists into our orbit, however their group provides an essential piece to the puzzle for Exceleration’s Artist and Label Providers capabilities, together with enhancing Redeye Distribution exterior of the US. Their historical past of chart and business success aligns completely with our long-term imaginative and prescient.”
Cooking Vinyl is claimed to “constantly [have] been on the forefront of the digital revolution and evolution”.
In 2005 the label arrange its personal on-line distribution firm, Uploader, which was offered to the Impartial On-line Distribution Alliance (IODA). After promoting its in-house distribution firm, Uploader, to the Impartial On-line Distribution Alliance (IODA), Cooking Vinyl grew to become a stakeholder in one other unbiased distribution and providers firm in Important Music & Advertising.
Important Music was based in 2003, working with label companions together with FatCat, Cherry Pink, Lojinx, Nettwerk, Harmony Music Group, BMG, Thirty Tigers, Snapper, Fierce Panda and Full Time Passion – in addition to Cooking Vinyl itself.
Important Music was acquired by Sony Pink in 2016, later forming the idea for the Sony Music‘s The Orchard within the UK market.
Cooking Vinyl remained 100% unbiased following the Important Music sale.Music Enterprise WorldwideMusic Enterprise Worldwide
