IDOL, an independent digital distributor and A&L services company, has appointed Mandy Freebairn as US Label Manager, coinciding with the signing of two new significant agreements in North America.
Freebairn, based in New York, will report to IDOL’s US General Manager, Thomas Sharp Maxwell, who was promoted to that role in April 2023. In her new role, Freebairn will support IDOL’s growing North American repertoire of artists and labels and increase the label’s marketing offering in the region.
She joins IDOL from Omnian Music Group (Captured Tracks, 2MR and Sinderlyn), where she served as project manager for releases from The Lemon Twigs, Widowspeak, Juan Wauters, Kedr Livanskiy, and TATYANA.
Expanding its reach in the region, IDOL has forged partnerships with Le Plan Recordings, headquartered in New York and Old Soul Music from North Carolina. These agreements mark a strategic move for IDOL to bolster its presence and support in the North American music market.
“Both Le Plan Recordings and Old Soul Music bring a new level of variety to our already eclectic roster of labels & artists and we’re delighted to play a part in the future success of each – both in the US market and abroad.”
Thomas Sharp Maxwell, IDOL
Under the expanded collaboration with Le Plan Recordings, IDOL will provide services including worldwide digital distribution, marketing, audience development, international coordination, and physical distribution for both existing catalog and upcoming releases. Notably, this partnership extends to the Friday (March 1) release of Caravan Palace‘s album Gangbusters Melody Club.
IDOL has started exclusively distributing the band via Le Plan in North America. It will also offer direct distribution in France and selected territories worldwide. Caravan Palace, with over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, has sold over 700,000 albums in the US, and achieved two RIAA certifications for tracks Lone Digger (Platinum) and Wonderland (Gold).
In a separate deal, IDOL has inked a global distribution and marketing agreement with Old Soul Music, a rising label launched by Austin Hart, also known as L’Orange. The label dropped its debut album from Nappyhigh in October 2023, and its roster includes veteran rapper and producer J-Live and others.
“As IDOL continues its growth in North America, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome two new imprints that align perfectly with IDOL’s ‘music-first’ ethos. Both Le Plan Recordings and Old Soul Music bring a new level of variety to our already eclectic roster of labels & artists and we’re delighted to play a part in the future success of each – both in the US market and abroad,” said Maxwell said in a statement.
“I’m excited to extend my partnership with IDOL, and to start this new chapter with the release of Caravan Palace’s new album,” said Laurent Masset, Le Plan Recordings’ founding owner.
“We’ve achieved tremendous success with the band in the US already and with the help of IDOL’s Audience Development team, we’re hoping to keep growing their fanbase. This partnership will also help us in our international development considering IDOL’s strong European presence.”
Austin Hart, owner & CEO at Old Soul Music, added: “At Old Soul Music, we’re extremely excited about our partnership with IDOL. When we first started this company, we wanted to do something new and something human.
“With IDOL’s forward-thinking philosophy and unwavering dedication to label support, it was a natural fit to partner together. In a world where so many people working music are passionate about everything except the work, it’s a pleasure and an honor to partner with a company that is as excited as we are to put in the time and effort to help artists. Together, we’re looking forward to creating the change we want to see both in the industry and in artists’ lives.”
These developments come on the heels of IDOL’s recent collaborations in the US, including partnerships with Young Art Records, owned by DJ/producer TOKiMONSTA, and the signing of US hip hop artist Erick the Architect.
IDOL operates offices in Paris, London, Berlin and Johannesburg, and has a presence in New York, LA and Nashville. In 2020, it expanded to Germany, hiring Marit Posch as General Manager.
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