Chess Club secures investment, inks global distribution deal with AWAL, reveals new signings and releases

Chess Club, the London-born independent label founded in 2007 and responsible for pressing the first releases by the likes of Wolf Alice, Jungle, Sundara Karma, Mumford & Sons and MØ, is entering a new era in its illustrious 12-year history.

The company has secured investment from Coran Capshaw of Red Light Management and ATO Records fame, and has also inked a new worldwide distribution deal with Kobalt’s recording company AWAL.

As part of the new set up, Chess Club will be announcing new signings and releases by artists Bloxx, Alfie Templeman, Yaeger and Phoebe Green.

Chess Club was launched in 2007 by Will Street (pictured right) and Peter McGaughrin (pictured left).

It followed the early success of the Chess Club live nights in London, playing host to the likes of MGMT, Bon Iver, Lykke Li, Laura Marling, Florence & The Machine, Mumford & Sons, Bombay Bicycle Club and The XX.

Since 2007, Chess Club has released music by Wolf Alice, Jungle, M Ø , Mumford & Sons, Chet Faker, Billie Marten, Sundara Karma, Tove Styrke, Easy Life, Pumarosa, Local Natives, White Lies, Skott, Swim Deep and many others.

Chess Club’s singles and EPs have always been released independently and until recently the label has released albums by the likes of MØ, Sundara Karma and Billie Marten via a Joint Venture with RCA/Sony.

The company will continue to be A&R’d by founders Street and McGaughrin but will now be able to access resource from Red Light’s eight offices around the world (including marketing, creative services, brand partnership, radio & online teams) as well as via AWAL’s recording distribution services and will work with Coran Capshaw and his teams to grow Chess Club into a significant force in the independent label world.

“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”.

Coran Capshaw

Coran Capshaw said: “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”.

“Will & Peter’s A&R focus and creative vision has been present for all to see with an array of great releases in the last decade.”

James Sandom, Red Light

James Sandom, Red Light’s UK MD, added: “We’re delighted to form a new partnership with Chess Club. Will & Peter’s A&R focus and creative vision has been present for all to see with an array of great releases in the last decade, we look forward to helping them build the Chess Club reputation further in this next chapter, establishing a rhythm of releases with the entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility that defines the best modern record labels”.

“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 and be the masters of our own destiny is very exciting.”

Will Street, Chess cLub

Will Street said: “Chess Club has always had an independent heart. 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 and be the masters of our own destiny is very exciting.

“I’m really looking forward to being able to work with a diverse range of creative and inspiring artists.”

“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.”

Peter McGaughrin, Chess CLub

Peter McGaughrin said: “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, 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”

“We look forward to working with Will, Peter and Red Light to open up new opportunities worldwide for Chess Club and their artists.”

Paul Hitchman, AWAL

Paul Hitchman, President, AWAL added: “Chess Club has consistently discovered and developed exciting and innovative artists.

“AWAL is committed to supporting the best independent artists and labels, and this new partnership is therefore a great fit.

“We look forward to working with Will, Peter and Red Light to open up new opportunities worldwide for Chess Club and their artists.”

 Music Business Worldwide

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