The Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA), a global think tank and advocacy group backed by prominent independent record labels, has appointed Patrick Clifton as its new Executive Director.
Clifton will oversee the group’s research and policy agenda as it prepares to release its second major report in 2025, an analysis of the economic and social impact of independent record labels.
The forthcoming study follows ORCA’s debut publication in 2024, Setting The Stage: How Music Works, authored by the Center for Music Ecosystems.
ORCA said this week that Clifton’s appointment will “accelerate thought leadership from the organization; from a research programme that supports the aims of the wider independent music community, to a clear voice that articulates ORCA’s supporters’ perspectives on the issues the music business grapples with”.
ORCA was established last year by a coalition of independent labels.
It’s founding members included Because Music (Paris, France), Beggars Group (London, UK), City Slang (Berlin, Germany), Domino Recording Company (New York, NY), Everlasting Records (Madrid, Spain), Exceleration Music (Nashville, TN), Hopeless Records (Los Angeles, CA), !K7 Music (Berlin, Germany), Ninja Tune Records (London, UK), Partisan Records (New York, NY), Playground Music (Stockholm, Sweden), Secret City Records (Montreal, Canada), Secretly Group (Bloomington, IN), and Sub Pop (Seattle, WA).
The organization aims to equip policymakers, trade associations, and communities with research-driven insights to strengthen music ecosystems worldwide.
A veteran of both the independent and corporate music sectors, Clifton began his career at Jive Records, Independiente, and London venue The End before joining Amazon in 2012.
At Amazon as Head of Music, UK, Australia and New Zealand, he helped launch and scale the company’s music streaming service, later leading its UK music business. After leaving Amazon, he worked in the vinyl sector and in 2023 set up a consultancy focused on music and technology strategy.
Clifton said of his new role: “The indie labels that support ORCA are the kick drum of music culture. I’m excited to evangelise their unique role in the music ecosystem, and to pursue the organization’s mission to elevate music’s societal impact.”
“The indie labels that support ORCA are the kick drum of music culture. I’m excited to evangelise their unique role in the music ecosystem, and to pursue the organization’s mission to elevate music’s societal impact.”
Patrick Clifton
Martin Mills, Chair of Beggars Group and a founding supporter of ORCA, said: “Patrick’s appointment is an important next step for O.R.C.A. in articulating the interests of the beating heart of the independent sector.”
Tony Kiewel, co-President of Sub Pop and also founding supporter of ORCA, added: “The independent music community is facing increasingly complicated challenges on a global scale and with Patrick’s guidance, ORCA is better positioned to help us navigate these turbulent times.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have Patrick’s leadership and perspective during this critical moment.”Music Business Worldwide