LONDON (CelebrityAccess) – London-based indie label Chess Club Records has today (March 14) announced an investment from Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw, and a new worldwide distribution deal with Kobalt’s recording arm, AWAL.
Founded in 2007 by Will Street and Peter McGaughrin, Chess Club released early music by Mumford & Sons, Local Natives, Wolf Alice, Billie Marten, Jungle, Sundara Karma and MØ. The label’s current roster includes the likes of Alfie Templeman, Phoebe Green, Yaeger, Bloxx and Casi & The Blind Harpist, among others.
Under the terms of the new deal, Street and McGaughrin will continue to sign and A&R Chess Club acts, however, will now be able to utilize Red Light’s marketing, creative services, brand partnership, radio and online teams, as well as AWAL’s recording distribution services.
Commenting on the partnership, Capshaw said in a statement: “We’re very pleased to partner with Will Street and Peter McGaughrin to help them take Chess Club into a new chapter. Over the past 10 years, Chess Club has shown consistently good taste and ambition in their A&R approach to unearthing and developing exciting new artists globally. With our infrastructure around them, I’m confident we can grow a successful roster together and it will be a valuable partnership in our masters business alongside ATO Records,” the indie label that Capshaw co-founded with Dave Matthews back in 2000.
Added Street: “An indie ethos and culture has been at the centre of everything we have built from our approach to releasing music to collaborating with artists so to now have the opportunity to fully stand on our own two feet is very exciting.”
Said McGaughrin: “Having partnered with Red Light for my management business, I’ve seen first-hand how rich the worldwide resource in touring, marketing, radio, brands, festivals is within the company is and how long-term artist development is the core philosophy. It feels like a natural fit and we’re excited for the next phase of Chess Club.”
