Signed: Gavin DeGraw to Sony Music Nashville; Alicia Villarreal to ADA Worldwide
Written by djfrosty on December 19, 2023
Gavin DeGraw has signed with Sony Music Nashville on the heels of his latest EP, A Classic Christmas. DeGraw, who was previously on Sony’s RCA Records, is managed by Haley McElmore and JT Pratt at Otter Creek Entertainment.
ADA Worldwide‘s Latin division has signed a global distribution agreement with Mexican music star Alicia Villarreal and her label, Camixes Entertainment. The deal marks Villarreal’s return to releasing music after a seven-year hiatus. Her first independent single, “Ojo Por Ojo,” was released last month, while a new album is expected out next year. Villarreal is booked and managed by Apodaca Group.
Rock artist Two Feet has launched an independent record label, 477 Records, and signed emerging talent including Bec Lauder, Toby Mai and Elvis Drew. The label will also release Two Feet’s upcoming music, including the new single “Kill Anyone” feat. Ari Abdul. Two Feet is booked by Jay Moss and Steph Aristakesian at Wasserman and managed by G.D. Dess; Lauder is represented by NEXT Management.
19 Recordings and BMG signed Haven Madison, a top 8 finalist on Season 21 of American Idol who performed original songs including “Fifteen” and “Still Need You” on the series. Madison, who independently released the EP All the Things I Didn’t Say in 2022, is managed by Third Wave Music Group.
Cricket Productionz, the company of music producer Alvaro “Cricket” Venegas (Peso Pluma), has signed a global distribution and artist partnership deal with Warner Music Latina. Under the deal, Cricket will release a debut album for his artist project in 2024.
TR/ST, the electronic pop project of Robert Alfons, has signed with Dais Records, which released his latest single, “Robrash,” on Dec. 13. An EP release is planned for next year. TR/ST is managed by Shabnam Mohammad at 724 and Gary Walker at Monotone, with booking by Chris Danis and Avery McTaggart at TBA for North America and Matt Copely in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. TR/ST previously had a label deal with Grouch.
Red Bull Records has signed South London R&B singer-songwriter James Vickery, who most recently released the EP Sheet Music in March. Vickery is managed by Alex Lewis at Lemon Music.
Singer-songwriter and Texas native Laci Kaye Booth has signed with Geffen Records and also aligned with Red Light Management for management and WME for booking. – Jessica Nicholson
Korn member Brian “Head” Welch launched a new label, XOVR Records (pronounced Crossover Records), alongside his longtime personal manager, David W. Williams. The label’s first signing is the rock band Spoken featuring Welch’s Love and Death bandmate JR Bareis. The group will release its tenth album, Reflection, via XOVR on Mar. 15. Spoken is managed and booked by Williams.
Australian post-punk band HighSchool has signed to [PIAS], which released the group’s latest single, “August 19,” on Dec. 5. HighSchool is managed by Rich Walker at 4AD and Matt Brown at Stay Loose, with booking by Andy Cook at CAA.
Kanine Records signed New York quintet Punchlove, which released the single “Dead Lands” via the label on Dec. 6.
Professional rodeo cowboy-turned-country artist Gunnar Latham has signed with Bob Doyle & Associates for management. Latham is booked by Chad Kudelka at CAA; he currently has no label.
Danish-Japanese artist Ida Kudo has signed with Pasadena Records, which will release her new EP, Proud, on Apr. 19 via a joint venture with Denmark’s Nordic Music Society. Her latest single, “The Power That Is Woman,” is out now.
Brooklyn-based alt-country songwriter Emily Frembgen signed to Don Giovanni Records, which recently released her single “Fentanyl.” The label will release Frembgen’s debut album next year.
Absolutely Kosher Records has signed Memphis duo Nonconnah, marking the first signing since the label’s relaunch this fall following a 12-year absence. New music is coming from the duo next year.