Various Artists Management has appointed Joe Etchells as Head of A&R and Artist Development.
Various Artists’ roster includes, Ashnikko, Tom Grennan, La Roux, Sad Night Dynamite, Yonaka, The Libertines, Supergrass, Cassyette and others.
Etchells, whose appointment is effective from April 2, will be based between the Various Artist’s London and Los Angeles offices and will report directly to CEO David Bianchi and UK Managing Director John Dawkins.
He will work across the company’s artist management, music publishing and label operations.
Joining Various Artists from his previous position as A&R Director at EMI, Etchells started his career as an assistant at PR agency The Outside Organization where he quickly progressed to a position within the company’s radio promotions division.
He then joined the Independiente record label, whose roster at the time included Travis and So Solid Crew, as a talent scout before moving to Universal Music Publishing Group where he spent a decade signing artists including Pigeon Detectives, Glasvegas and Giggs amongst others.
He then worked with Wildlife Entertainment where he brought through Royal Blood and songwriter/producer Dan Caplen while working simultaneously for BMG Publishing as a Senior A&R Manager, during which time he signed Blossoms, The Amazons, Giggs (again), Hardy Caprio and Honne among others.
During the last five years, Etchells has overseen six No.1 and several Top 5 albums from the likes of Bastille, Blossoms, Loyle Carner, Doves, and The Vamps while also working on releases from Naughty Boy and Chappaqua Wrestling.
“His recent form has been incredible, and he joins us at an exciting time to be able to continue that success.”
David Bianchi, Various Artists Management
David Bianchi, Group CEO of Various Artists Management, said: “Joe has been a long-time collaborator and friend of both Various Artists and the individuals within it for many years, and when we were looking for A&R expertise that could traverse management, publishing and records Joe was the obvious choice.
“His recent form has been incredible, and he joins us at an exciting time to be able to continue that success.”
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to help develop a new generation of talent as well as working with the superlative artists”
Joe Etchells, Various Artists Management
Joe Etchells added: “I can’t wait to join my friends and new colleagues at Various Artists. Our paths have crossed so many times over the years and I’ve always had great admiration for their successes.
“David and John have always been supportive of me so when they called it really was an easy decision. They are an incredible, international, forward thinking, modern music company with amazing artists. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to help develop a new generation of talent as well as working with the superlative artists on the company’s existing roster.”
In March 2023, Various Artists and Stellar Songs, launched a new, joint-venture music publishing company.
In January 2022, Various Artists Management ramped up its US presence and operations with the opening of a new office in Los Angeles, comprising of studios, offices, and accommodation for clients and guests.Music Business Worldwide
