London, 8th December 2022 [PIAS] one of the world’s leading independent music companies and Universal Music Group (UMG), the global leader in music-based entertainment, have announced the first significant repertoire partnership under their recently announced global alliance.
From the 1st of January 2023, Spinefarm Records, one of the most successful and best-known rock labels in the world, will join the [PIAS] Group’s roster of independent labels and will be distributed on a worldwide basis through the [PIAS]services division [Integral].
Spinefarm was acquired by UMG in 2002 and together with its imprints Candlelight and Snakefarm, Spinefarm will continue to operate as a standalone label from its headquarters in New York, under the leadership of GM Jonas Nachsin. The existing, dedicated Spinefarm teams in the US, UK and other markets around the world will continue to handle and oversee all A&R, marketing and promotion activities for the label whilst tapping into [PIAS]’ unrivalled international network, support functions and global marketing expertise.
Founded in Finland in 1990, Spinefarm quickly established itself as an independent powerhouse for successful European metal acts from Nightwish to Children Of Bodom. In 2016, Spinefarm acquired legendary metal label Candlelight Records (Emperor, Opeth, Winterfylleth) and, a year later it launched the blues, country and roots offshoot Snakefarm (Marty Stuart, The White Buffalo, Austin Meade).
Spinefarm’s current artist roster includes globally successful acts such as Bullet For My Valentine (with over 3 billion streams to their name), American metalcore band Atreyu, Aussie hard rockers Airbourne, alt-rock legends Killing Joke and punk pioneers Anti-Flag as well as more recent signings such as Sleep Token, Creeper, BRKN LOVE, Dead Poet Society, While She Sleeps, Kid Kapichi and Dayseeker.
Jonas Nachsin General Manager Worldwide of Spinefarm said, “Over the last ten years, we have built Spinefarm up from its regional origin, to become one of the premiere global rock destinations for artists. Given that achievement, we are only just beginning and are very determined and dedicated to our future together with our awesome and growing roster. Combining forces with the storied and amazing worldwide PIAS team- one of the best and most respected indie organizations ever in our industry- promises that future will be very bright. We are thrilled to lock arms with Edwin, Kenny and the PIAS team to take Spinefarm and its artists to new heights.”
Edwin Schroter, Group Managing Director of [PIAS] said, “Jonas and his team at Spinefarm have built a phenomenal artist roster and are one of the world’s leading rock labels. It has been our ambition for some years now to develop an independent global network for rock and metal music. It feels great to be able to now do so as part of our strategic partnership with Universal and with two teams that share a passion, working ethos and combined areas of expertise that is second to none.”
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About [PIAS]
Founded in Belgium in 1982 by Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot, [PIAS] is one of the world’s leading independent music companies. [PIAS] has 3 core divisions: [PIAS] Recordings, the record company division with a number of in-house labels including Play It Again Sam, electronic music imprint Different Recordings and harmonia mundi, one of the most revered classical labels in the world; [PIAS] Cooperative, an associated label group that partners with labels to help fund and develop their repertoire on an international basis and [PIAS] Artist & Label Services, the marketing, sales and distribution division that provides tailor-made services to distributed labels and artists on a national and international level. With offices in every major music market around the world [PIAS] has 350 employees and represents a diverse range of key independent labels such as Ace, ATO, Beggars Group, Bella Union, Domino, Epitaph, Heavenly, Hyperion, LSO, Mute, Ninja Tune, Secretly Canadian, Subpop, Transgressive and Warp among many others
About Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm represents some of the biggest and most important rock acts in the world. Founded in Finland in 1990, the label established itself as an independent powerhouse for successful European metal acts from Nightwish to Children Of Bodom. Acquired by UMG in 2002, Spinefarm Music Group is now home to a host of artists that reach millions of fans across the globe and showcases the very best in rock, punk and metal. From massive metal names such as Bullet For My Valentine (with over 3 billion streams to their name) to alt-rock legends Killing Joke and punk pioneers Anti-Flag, Spinefarm’s artists are true leaders in their chosen field. The roster also includes renowned names like Atreyu, Airbourne, Saint Asonia and Electric Wizard as well as fast-rising young artists like Dayseeker, Sleep Token, Dead Poet Society, Kid Kapichi, BRKN LOVE and Creeper. The label has also helped While She Sleeps enjoy breakout success with its innovative Sleeps Society subscription model, racking up over 200m streams across their last two records. Spinefarm, now flanked by associated SMG labels Candlelight (Emperor, Ihsahn, Urne) and Snakefarm (Marty Stuart, Austin Meade, The White Buffalo), has grown from its independent origins into a true global rock powerhouse.
