Indie label Glassnote has signed a multi-year distribution deal with Universal Music Group, switching over from Sony Music Entertainment. Daniel Glass’ label has had a stunning winning streak and his home to Grammy winners Mumford & Sons, Phoenix and others.
The deal was first reported by The New York Times. It begins on March 1 and gives UMG distribution of one of the hottest acts in the world, Mumford & Sons. Their second album Babel won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2013 and their two albums have sold 6 million copies in the U.S. Glassnote’s other acts include Childish Gambino, Phoenix, Two-Door Cinema Club and Chvrches.
“We are honored and excited to embark on this new journey with Universal,” Glass said in a statement. “Lucian understood our vision from the start and his embrace of passionate, creative, entrepreneurs makes Universal the perfect home for our companies.”
The deal does give UMG worldwide distribution rights. UMGD will release the albums in the U.S., while UMG’s Caroline will distribute in foreign markets, except in South africa, Australia and New Zealand.
“Daniel Glass is, quite simply, one of the most successful label entrepreneurs of the last decade,” UMG CEO and Chairman Lucian Grainge said. “He represents the kind of innovation and creativity that defines who we are and who we aspire to be as an organization, and we're looking forward to many years of collaboration and growth together.”
UMG sells almost 40 percent of all the music in the world. It is own by Vivendi and also includes the Def Jam, Interscope, Republic, Capitol and Virgin labels. It has similar distribution deals with Big Machine and Jay Z’s Roc Nation.
image courtesy of NBC