Warner Music Group has fully acquired the catalogue of independent Californian label Artery Recordings.
The major has also ingested the label’s frontline artist deals, but not taken on any staff as part of the agreement.
Artery Recordings is part of The Artery Foundation – a worldwide full service artist management company founded in California in 2004.
The label was set up in 2010 by Artery founder Eric Rushing, who negotiated its sale to Warner.
Upcoming releases by frontline Artery acts will be worked and distributed through Warner’s ADA.
These will include fresh records from Australian metalcore band Capture (pictured) and US group Slaves (not to be confused with their UK punk namesake).
ADA has a strong pedigree in rock, having recently worked US No.1 records for Blink 182, Metallica and more.
“Artery has built a reputation for artist development and we intend to continue and strengthen the brand within the rock community.”
Kenny Weagly, ADA
“We’re pleased to welcome Artery Recordings into the Warner Music family,” Kenny Weagly, President A&R and Label Services, Worldwide, ADA, told MBW.
“The label has built a reputation for artist development and we intend to continue and strengthen the brand within the rock community.
“We’re especially excited to release new music from Capture and Slaves and we’re looking forward to expanding the global fan base for Artery’s fantastic catalogue.”
Execs at Warner have repeatedly spoken of the strategy to invest in local A&R while building WMG’s global reach and, despite being a relatively small label, the Artery acquisition fits into that strategy.
Other recent strategic acquisitions by WMG have included Indonesia’s ISS, X5 in Sweden, Gold Typhoon in China and just last month, Songkick’s discovery app.Music Business Worldwide
