Independent music company Exceleration Music has struck an agreement with Bloodshot Records founders Rob Miller and Nan Warshaw to acquire the label.
Exceleration is the music venture founded by indie sector executives Glen Barros, John Burk, Charles Caldas, Amy Dietz, and Dave Hansen in January.
The venture’s founders said at the time that its aim is to enhance “the future of independent labels and artists”.
Bloodshot joins a growing roster of companies that Exceleration has invested in or partnered with.
Other companies on the Exceleration roster include Chicago label, Alligator Records (celebrating its 50th anniversary this year).
Exceleration has also acquired the jazz label Candid Records, and partnered with the renowned Ray Charles Foundation, with whom they launched the recent True Genius box set and digital campaign.
Born from the Chicago indie underground rock and punk community in 1994, Bloodshot recently effectively stopped operations following a breakdown between the founders.
The label has worked with artists including Justin Townes Earle, the Bottle Rockets, Laura Jane Grace, Wayne Hancock, Kelly Hogan, Andre Williams, Bobby Bare Jr., Ha Ha Tonka, Luke Winslow-King, Lydia Loveless, Sarah Shook, Cory Branan, Graham Parker, Scott H. Biram, Murder by Death, William Elliott Whitmore, and many more.
The deal with Bloodshot will see Exceleration assume full operational control of the label, which will include working to ensure that all commitments to the Bloodshot artists are met.
Exceleration says that it also plans to embark on a long-term campaign to revitalise the presence and availability of the Bloodshot catalog both digitally and physically.
“We are honored to have the chance to work with the music from Bloodshot’s artists, to make sure the future interests of those artists are protected. We look forward to working to keep the Bloodshot history alive and relevant for many years to come.”
Dave Hansen, Exceleration
Exceleration partner Dave Hansen said: “Bloodshot is a vitally important part of American music history, a genre-defining label founded on passion and vision, dedicated to bringing a unique set of artists from its musical orbit to the world. It represents exactly the kind of company that fits Exceleration’s founding ethos, which is to preserve and enhance the legacies of extraordinary independent companies and artists.
“We are honored to have the chance to work with the music from Bloodshot’s artists, to make sure the future interests of those artists are protected. We look forward to working to keep the Bloodshot history alive and relevant for many years to come.”
“We are happy to see that the team at Exceleration Music, a team that includes people I’ve known and worked with for over two decades, has taken ownership of the label, safeguarding its catalog and artists en-route to a prosperous future.”
Laurens Kusters, Justin Townes Earle estate
Laurens Kusters, representative of the Justin Townes Earle estate, said: “We are happy to see that the team at Exceleration Music, a team that includes people I’ve known and worked with for over two decades, has taken ownership of the label, safeguarding its catalog and artists en-route to a prosperous future.”
“The team behind Exceleration Music brings to the table a level of experience and integrity that is much needed in this moment.”
Howard Greynolds, Overcoat Management
Howard Greynolds of Overcoat Management (Lydia Loveless, Glen Hansard, Iron & Wine)
added: “The team behind Exceleration Music brings to the table a level of experience and integrity that is much needed in this moment.
“I look forward to working with them in both protecting and creating new opportunities on the catalog Lydia Loveless has with the label.”Music Business Worldwide