UK-based independent label High Time Records is making serious moves – plotting new offices in Los Angeles and Sydney, having just inked a 5-year global deal with Warner/ADA.
Founded by ambitious British entrepreneur Carl Hitchborn, High Time Records is home to The Hunna (pictured) – who have racked up over 60,000 sales of their debut album, 100, in addition to 100 million-plus streams on Spotify and over 300,000 Facebook fans.
The band have also sold over 80,000 concert tickets to date and will play London’s Alexandra Palace in November, following the release of their second album, Dare, which is out this Friday (July 13).
Coasts, Hitchborn’s first signings, are currently finishing their third album in the studio, having achieved 40 million streams, 100,000 sales and downloads and over 50,000 live tickets sold.
High Time Records is part of the High Time Group, founded in 2015, which houses artist management, publishing, recording, live ticketing, tour promotion, merchandise and other divisions.
As Hitchborn explained to MBW earlier this year, the company typically inks 50/50 deals with artists across multiple income streams – in a bid to reduce the cost and inefficiencies of having different industry partners across various rights.
“Carl is smart, savvy and knows how to make calculated risks that play to his advantage; a music industry pioneer in the truest sense.”
Dan Chalmers, ADA
High Time’s new deal with ADA covers global sales and distribution, and allows the label to switch on full label services – including PR, radio and TV promotion – on a case-by-case basis.
The agreement builds on a previous UK-only deal between the two parties.
Dan Chalmers, President, ADA UK at Warner Music added: “Working together in the UK over the last few years, we’ve witnessed, first-hand, Carl’s deep-rooted sense of quality and his inherent understanding of what today’s music fan wants.
“He’s smart, savvy and knows how to make calculated risks that play to his advantage; a music industry pioneer in the truest sense.
“It’s really great to have signed this new, five-year deal and to be working to help drive High Time further forwards, expanding their artists across the world.”
Carl Hitchborn added “I’m delighted to extend the partnership with ADA/Warner Music to a 5-year global distribution deal and look forward to working with ADA to break High Time artists on a global scale.
“Our successful campaigns, working with the enthusiastic UK team, led me to forge a long term global partnership with Warner Music at a hugely important time in High Time’s growth.”
“High Time will soon be opening an office in LA and Sydney, with more signings and artist innovations to come… We are proud to blaze a new trail for the industry.”
Carl Hitchborn, High Time
He added: “Given my strong relationship, developed over the last four years, with both Dan Chalmers and Max Lousada, as well as meeting with various ADA teams around the world, the excitement and enthusiasm to work with us made this deal a no-brainer.
“High Time will soon be opening an office in LA and Sydney, with more signings and artist innovations to come. We are committed to proactively pursuing and maximising opportunities for our artists.
“High Time is proud to blaze a new trail for the industry.”Music Business Worldwide
