PIAS has partnered with Australian management and touring company Astral People on a new label.
The indie giant and Astral People have teamed up for the Co-op label deal to create Astral People Recordings.
Operated by Vichara Edirisinghe and Tom Huggett, Sydney-based Astral People began eight years ago as a management company. Artist clients include Cosmos Midnight, Winston Surfshirt, Milan Ring and Basenji.
It has since expanded into a live promoter and has staged Australian shows by Stormzy, Snakehips, Nao and Sampha, as well as events, festivals and publishing.
“Our vision for the label is just a pure reflection of our joint musical tastes as a company, representing both local and international artists who we truly believe are the best in their fields at what they do,” said Edirisinghe and Huggett. “We’ve never been a company that’s been pigeonholed into a certain genre and we certainly won’t be with this label. However, what we can say is that the artists we choose to represent will be ones of the highest calibre and an exciting prospect in their respective genre or scene.
“The label will represent artists that we truly feel will last the test of time in this forever changing business, and we are incredibly proud to align ourselves with such a leading voice in independent music, along some of our favourite labels (Phantasy, DFA, Mute and Transgressive Records) in the Co-op model. It’s an honour to have Astral People Recordings sit amongst this group.”
Astral People Recordings’ first signing is producer and multi-instrumentalist, Wave Racer.
“I am thrilled that Astral People is joining our worldwide roster of outstanding independent labels,” said Edwin Schroter, PIAS Group MD. “Vic and Tom have built something very special in Australia and their entrepreneurial drive, A&R instinct and international outlook make them a perfect fit for our Cooperative label offering. We are proud that they have chosen PIAS as a global partner for their new label venture and we can’t wait to start working together on the exciting new artist roster they are developing.”
The new label will work with the Inertia label and distribution company, which was acquired by PIAS in 2017.
“Inertia Music has such a long-standing relationship with Astral People, both personally and through their partnership with Handsome Tours,” said Meg Williams, director, Inertia Label Group. “We are constantly inspired by not only their musical taste, but the passion and consideration that Astral People put into everything they do. We’re so honored to help them realise their ambitions for a label outstanding in its musical output and care.”
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