New York-based publisher Reservoir has launched a new joint venture with Grammy-winning writer-producer Warren “Oak” Felder to sign and nurture talent.
The first signing of the new JV is The Orphanage – a Los Angeles-based production and songwriting duo comprised of Trevor Brown and Zaire Koalo.
The duo co-wrote and co-produced Demi Lovato’s #1 and 2x Platinum hit, “Sorry Not Sorry” with Felder earlier this year.
Oak Felder, who is published by Sony/ATV, has received two 2014 Grammy Awards for his work on Alicia Keys’ Girl On Fire (Best R&B Album), Rihanna’s Unapologetic (Best Urban Contemporary Album), and a nomination for Usher’s “Good Kisser” (Best R&B Song) the following year.
His collaborations with Alessia Cara have resulted in two consecutive #1 Billboard Mainstream Top 40 hits with “Here” and “Scars to Your Beautiful” along with Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry.”
In addition, Felder has written hits for the likes of Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Miguel, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Derulo, Wiz Khalifa, and Big Sean and his works have most recently appeared on Kehlani’s R&B chart-topping album SweetSexySavage, Khalid’s American Teen, and Demi Lovato’s Tell Me You Love Me.
Along with “Sorry Not Sorry,” The Orphanage has contributed three additional tracks to Lovato’s fifth studio album Tell Me You Love Me.
The Orphanage has also worked with Alessia Cara, Kehlani, Bea Miller, ZZ Ward, Betty Who, Snakehips, Anne-Marie, and fellow Reservoir writer Joey Bada$$.
“Our shared passion and belief in Trevor & Zaire will surely be the beginning of a very new and exciting chapter for us all.”
Donna Caseine, Reservoir
Furthermore, the pair (together with Oak) co-produced Alessia Cara’s rendition of “How Far I’ll Go,” the end title off Disney’s critically acclaimed feature film, Moana, which recently earned a Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Under the new JV, Reservoir SVP of Creative and A&R Donna Caseine will oversee day-to-day creative for The Orphanage, who are based out of Su Casa Studios in Sherman Oaks, with additional support from Reservoir’s Creative teams in New York and London.
“We are excited to announce a new relationship with Oak Felder, one of the most accomplished and talented producer/songwriters in today’s music,” said Caseine. “Our shared passion and belief in Trevor & Zaire (The Orphanage) will surely be the beginning of a very new and exciting chapter for us all.”
Added Felder, “Having your own success is rewarding, but there is nothing quite like having success with those you’ve mentored. Trevor and Zaire from The Orphanage have come so far, and this is really just the beginning. It’s awesome to have a great team in Reservoir to continue to develop these guys.”
Lucas Keller and Peter Coquillard of Milk & Honey Music, managers for Oak and The Orphanage, said: “We couldn’t be more excited about The Orphanage joining the Reservoir family. What better way to celebrate this signing than with the celebration of a #1 record. On behalf of Oak, Trevor, and Zaire, we are thrilled to be working with Reservoir’s great global team.”
Pictured left to right: Reservoir President Golnar Khosrowshahi, Milk & Honey Music’s Peter Coquillard, Milk & Honey Music President and Founder Lucas Keller, The Orphanage’s Zaire Koalo, Warren “Oak” Felder, The Orphanage’s Trevor Brown, Reservoir SVP of Creative and A&R Donna Caseine, Reservoir COO Rell Lafargue.Music Business Worldwide
