LABEL UPDATES: Clive Starts Another Label – ADA To Distribute 7 More Labels

Clive Davis has started another label. In addition to his successful J Records,
Davis has created Octone Records, a label that will focus on developing alternative
and rock artists, from singer-songwriters to hard rock acts.

Octone, headed by James Diener, J's vice president of artist
development/marketing, will be distributed by BMG Entertainment.

The start-up has already signed two rock bands – White Light Motorcade, currently
in the studio, and Maroon5, whose debut album is due in stores June 25. Octone acts with the
greatest success will move over to J Records.

ADA To Distribute 7 More Labels

Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) has signed exclusive distribution agreements with seven leading independent record labels. Under the agreements, ADA will provide retail marketing and distribution services in the U.S. to Barsuk, Jetset, Kill Rock Stars, Matador, Metropolis, Palm Pictures and Now or Never. The labels join ADA's roster of nearly 40 independent labels at a time when the distributor has garnered its best market share performance since its formation in 1993. According to U.S. retail monitoring service SoundScan, ADA's marketshare for the week ending April 14, is 1.5, ranking it as one of the top two independent distributors in the country.

"We're delighted to welcome these labels to the ADA family at time when the company is experiencing healthy growth and profitability," said Andy Allen, president of ADA. "Each of these labels produces a wide variety of exciting and challenging music by some of the most forward-looking artists in the industry. I'm confident that with ADA's range of distribution and marketing services at their disposal, these labels will be able to greatly expand the reach of their artists' music."

Alternative Distribution Alliance is one of the leading distributors of independent label recordings in the U.S. Founded in 1993 when indie label music meant alternative rock, today ADA distributes urban and hip-hop acts, electronic artists, metal performers and alternative country singers. ADA-distributed labels include: Beggars Banquet, Bloodshot, Cavity Search, Flying Frog, Minty Fresh, Mute, Nervous, New Line, Oglio, Om, Punahele, Rufflife, Select, SubPop, Side 1/Dummy, Slip n Slide, SpinArt, Star 69, Spitfire, Strictly Rhythm, Sub Pop, Thirsty Ear, Tommy Boy, Touch and Go, and Ubiquity. Among the top selling artists distributed by ADA are releases by Nirvana, Prodigy, Vengaboys, Sixpence None the Richer, Everlast, Badly Drawn Boy, Paul Oakenfold, De La Soul, Paul Van Dyk, Sasha & Digweed, Darude, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Better Than Ezra, Zero 7, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Kealii Reichel. ADA is a Warner Music Group company.

Barsuk Records was formed in Seattle in 1999 and has fast become one of the West Coast's finest independent record labels, having built a roster of indie rock songwriters and bands, including Death Cab for Cutie, J Vanderslice, Rilo Kiley, the Long Winters, the Prom, Kind of Like Spitting, the Posies, Sarah Shannon, and Aveo.

Jetset Records began in 1996 in New York. Jetset's catalog includes music from Luna, Mogwai, Arab Strap, Black Box Recorder, the Stratford 4 and many others.

Kill Rock Stars was founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and is based in Olympia, Washington. Kill Rock Stars is dedicated to releasing high quality meaningful recordings in a manner that is fair and respectful to the artists. KRS' plans for 2002 include releases from Sleater Kinney, Comet Gain, Quix*o*tic, the Gossip, Slumber Party, Mecca Normal and more. The association with Kill Rock Stars is via ADA's existing relationship with Touch & Go.

Matador Records has a rich history dating back to 1989, when it was founded by Chris Lombardi. Throughout the label's history, Matador has been a champion of artistic freedom, diversity and innovation. Plans for 2002 include new releases from Cornelius, Belle & Sebastian, Mary Timony, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and others.

Metropolis Records was launched in 1994 and has evolved into the largest label focusing on industrial, futurepop and gothic music. The catalog currently boasts over 30 artists and 275 releases. On the release schedule are new projects from Peter Murphy, KMFDM, Juno Reactor and many others.

Founded in 1998, Palm Pictures is the voice and vision of entertainment entrepreneur Chris Blackwell. Artist and technology driven, forward thinking and independent, Palm Pictures delivers the best in entertainment on DVD, CD and over the web. Its imprints include Palm, Quango and Axiom.

Now or Never Records was created by Matt Beckerman while attending Tulane University in New Orleans. The roster of the New Jersey-based label includes All Else Failed, Brand New Sin, Diecast, Dillinger Escape Plan and the Postman Syndrome.