Independent music publisher Round Hill Music and its Round Hill Records division have launched Black Hill Records.
The new rock-dedicated label has already signed its first three artists: Austin-based duo Black Pistol Fire, Nashville-based blues and rock guitarist Jared James Nichols and British rock band The Cult.
The label will be based in Los Angeles, California and distributed worldwide by The Orchard.
At the helm of the new label is newly-named President of Round Hill Records Joe Calitri, who most recently held the General Manager position at Red Bull Records.
Prior to Red Bull, Calitri served as General Manager of Fueled By Ramen for six years and spent over a decade at Island Def Jam/PolyGram.
Calitri is joined by Head of Operations and Business Development Michael Volk, formerly of Kobalt’s AWAL and Project Director Lucy Bartozzi, formerly of artist development company mTheory.
Calitri and his team will oversee all activities at both Round Hill Records and Black Hill Records respectively.
Round Hill Records is the home of master catalogs of Bush, The Offspring, Triumph, Lettuce, Eric Krasno, Howie Day, Nigel Hall, Royal Teeth, The London Souls, Rik Emmett and others.
Other Round Hill Records projects include the digital re-release of Rik Emmett’s catalog, the release of a new album project and documentary from Canadian power trio Triumph, and the release of Grammy-nominated funk band Lettuce’s forthcoming album RESONATE this Friday, May 8.
“The staff and I are deeply passionate about rock culture and it’s been a dream for all of us to have the opportunity to build a new rock label from scratch.”
Joe Calitri
Calitri said: “The staff and I are deeply passionate about rock culture and it’s been a dream for all of us to have the opportunity to build a new rock label from scratch.
“I’m also thrilled to join Josh and the remarkably talented team at Round Hill Music to nurture its growing portfolio of recording catalogs and develop the labels’ frontline strategy”.
Rock prevails in touring, album sales, streaming in most countries and boasts extremely devoted fans who provide steady support to their favorite artists. That’s the start of a good recipe.”
Josh Gruss, Round Hill
Round Hill CEO Josh Gruss, added: “They say rock is dead when in fact it is very much alive. Rock prevails in touring, album sales, streaming in most countries and boasts extremely devoted fans who provide steady support to their favorite artists. That’s the start of a good recipe.
“Anyone who knows me knows how much I love hard rock and metal, so the launch of Black Hill is a very special and proud moment.
“Having Joe and this fantastic team onboard shows how committed we are to our recording artists and recordings within our overall strategy.”Music Business Worldwide
