Various Artists Management announce Joe Etchells as Head of A&R and Artist Development

London, 21st March 2023 Various Artists Management whose roster of clients includes, Ashnikko, Tom Grennan, La Roux, Sad Night Dynamite, Yonaka, The Libertines, Supergrass, Cassyette and others has announced the appointment of Joe Etchells as Head of A&R and Artist Development.

Joe, whose appointment is effective from April 2^nd, will be based between the Various Artist’s London and Los Angeles offices and will report directly to CEO David Bianchi and UK Managing Director John Dawkins. He will work across the company’s artist management, music publishing and label operations.

Joining Various Artists from his previous position as A&R Director at EMI, Joe started his career as an assistant at PR agency The Outside Organization where he quickly progressed to a position within the company’s radio promotions division.  He then joined the acclaimed Independiente record label, whose roster at the time included Travis and So Solid Crew, as a talent scout before moving to Universal Music Publishing Group where he spent a decade signing artists including Pigeon Detectives, Glasvegas and Giggs amongst others.  He then worked with Wildlife Entertainment where he brought through Royal Blood and songwriter/producer Dan Caplen while working simultaneously for BMG Publishing as a Senior A&R Manager, during which time he signed Blossoms, The Amazons, Giggs (again), Hardy Caprio and Honne among others.

During the last five years Joe has overseen six number one and several top five albums from the likes of Bastille, Blossoms, Loyle Carner, Doves, and The Vamps while also working on releases from Naughty Boy and Chappaqua Wrestling.

David Bianchi, Group CEO of Various Artists Management, said: “Joe has been a long-time collaborator and friend of both Various Artists and the individuals within it for many years, and when we were looking for A&R expertise that could traverse management, publishing and records Joe was the obvious choice. His recent form has been incredible, and he joins us at an exciting time to be able to continue that success.”

Joe Etchells said, “I can’t wait to join my friends and new colleagues at Various Artists. Our paths have crossed so many times over the years and I’ve always had great admiration for their successes. David and John have always been supportive of me so when they called it really was an easy decision. They are an incredible, international, forward thinking, modern music company with amazing artists.  I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to help develop a new generation of talent as well as working with the superlative artists on the company’s existing roster.”

ENDS