New York-based independent Reservoir has appointed James Cheney as VP of Creative and A&R.
Los Angeles-based Cheney will look after songwriters for the company, in addition to signing and developing new talent alongside the Creative teams in LA, New York, Nashville, and London.
Cheney joins Reservoir with over 15 years of creative experience, most recently at Spirit Music Group.
Throughout his career, he has overseen award-winning and notable acts including The RZA, The Roots, The Matrix, Brian Lee, DJ Mustard, Jeff Gitelman, and more.
For his first signing, Cheney brings Grammy Award-winning writer-producer-artist Rami Dawod to the roster, in a deal that will also see Reservoir represent future works.
Cheney has been working with Dawod for the last three years, overseeing his creative development as writer-producer.
One-half of RCA Records’ production duo Jarami, Dawod won the 2019 Grammy for Best Dance Recording for co-writing and co-producing Electricity performed by Mark Ronson and Diplo’s Silk City featuring Dua Lipa.
As part of Jarami, Dawod has released two EPs, Sketches and Sketches II, and a host of impressive singles including Post Mates (featuring Cautious Clay), released last month.
Additional writing and production credits include Camila Cabello’s 3x-Platinum and Top 40 No.1 hit Never Be The Same, plus You & Me by Marc E. Bassy, and Frank Ocean’s Chanel, Biking, and Lens.
“James is very well-respected in the industry; he has an eye for talent and excellent taste.”
Rell Lafargue, Reservoir
“James is very well-respected in the industry; he has an eye for talent and excellent taste,” said Reservoir President and COO, Rell Lafargue.
“He fits in seamlessly with our global Creative team and has already proven to be an asset to the company in bringing an exceptional talent like Rami on board. We’re excited to be welcoming them both into the Reservoir family.”
“I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career together with Reservoir and my dear friend and A&R, James Cheney.”
Rami Dawod
Dawod added: “I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career together with Reservoir and my dear friend and A&R, James Cheney.
“My producing partner Jacob and I are super excited for the future of Jarami and I am happy to share and continue the journey together with Reservoir.”
“The chance to work at a creative-minded music company with Donna Caseine and the rest of the team was the perfect move forward for me. I am very thankful to Golnar Khosrowshahi and Rell Lafargue for the opportunity, and excited to work with Reservoir’s incredible roster of songwriters.”
James Cheney
Cheney said: “Rami is a truly gifted songwriter who combines impeccable taste and pop sensibility with great vision. It has been an honor to guide his creative career over the last three years and I am thrilled to be continuing the relationship at Reservoir. We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s to come.
“The chance to work at a creative-minded music company with Donna Caseine and the rest of the team was the perfect move forward for me. I am very thankful to Golnar Khosrowshahi and Rell Lafargue for the opportunity, and excited to work with Reservoir’s incredible roster of songwriters.”
Pictured [Left to Right]: Reservoir EVP Creative Donna Caseine, Reservoir VP Creative James Cheney, Writer-Producer Rami Dawod, Reservoir Founder and CEO Golnar KhosrowshahiMusic Business Worldwide
