BURBANK, CA. (Hollywood Records) - Kemado Records, best known for their forward-thinking A&R, devotion to artist development, and influential credibility in the burgeoning New York rock scene, have signed an exclusive and unique distribution deal with Hollywood Records, it was announced today by Bob Cavallo, Chairman of the Buena Vista
Music Group, and
David Agnew, General Manager of the Buena Vista
Music Group.
Cavallo remarked: "We are delighted to be in this partnership with Kemado. Tom and Andres have already made remarkable strides on their own. We believe that this is the kind of working relationship that typifies where the modern record industry is headed."
Agnew commented: "Tom (Clapp) and Andres (Santo Domingo) from Kemado have signed and developed modern, edgy bands with tremendous credibility. The excitement surrounding our first few releases is inspiring."
Added Clapp: "The unique relationship created by the managed distribution agreement between Hollywood and Kemado Records represents the future of the record business. The new arrangement provides artists with the attention and hands-on artist development of a small independent label, with the support of a major label marketing and promotion team."
Said Santo Domingo: "The partnership between Kemado and Hollywood will provide our artists with the best of both worlds. The nurturing and artistically progressive environment of a small indie combined with the experienced staff and influence of a global media company."
In the deal, Hollywood Records will serve as the exclusive distributor of Kemado's records in the United States and Canada, with rights outside those territories to be addressed on an artist-by-artist basis. The deal is unique in its financial structure, in that select artists will be funded by Hollywood Records for marketing, promotion, and publicity purposes.
The first release will be a re-release of the highly sought-after and critically acclaimed Elefant. Their stunning debut album, "Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid," is set for U.S. release on October 26. Future Elefant albums will be released by Hollywood Records worldwide. Elefant's influences range from early David Bowie and U2 to the modern sound of Blur. The band just returned from the U.K., where they performed with Interpol.
Also on tap for an October 26 re-release will be The Fever's album "Red Bedroom." The Fever will be touring the U.S. this Fall with The Faint and VHS or Beta. Known for their incendiary live shows, The Fever mix nu-wave guitar and organ with heavy rhythms, danceable breakbeats, and rabid vocals. The Fever have played with The Rapture, Sahara Hot Nights, and Mission of Burma - and caused a major stir at 2004's SXSW.
The critically acclaimed Lansing-Dreiden's will be releasing their new EP, "A Sectioned Beam" on November 16. Their first album, "The Incomplete Triangle," will be released in early 2005.
Kemado Records was established in 2002 by principals Santo Domingo and Clapp.
The Buena Vista Music Group encompasses all of the Walt Disney Company's recorded music and music publishing operations, including Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Lyric Street Records, and Walt Disney Music Publishing.
