Giant Music, a record label formed under the Azoff Company umbrella in 2022, told Billboard that it has signed Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. This marks the first signing for Nate Albert, who became president of Giant Music in January. The label will release “Kiss Me,” Ruel's cover of the Sixpence None the Richer hit, on Thursday (June 27).
“Ruel is a truly unique talent and we are thrilled to be part of his next chapter,” Albert said in a statement.
Known for songs like “Painkiller,” “Dazed & Confused,” and “GROWING UP IS ___,” Ruel released his debut album “4TH WALL” last year and is set to make his first appearance at Lollapalooza in August.
Ruel is managed by Nate Flagrant of Flagrant Artist Management.
This week too…
Hip-hop producer, singer and songwriter Lithe has signed with WME for worldwide representation. The Melbourne-born artist began putting out music in 2018 and has released several EPs since then. His single “Fall Back,” released in March, currently boasts over 97 million streams on Spotify. He is managed by Benjamin James of Mutual Friends.
Boston alternative rock band Vandaber has signed with Loma Vista Recordings. The label released the band's new garage rock track “I Got Cracked” on Tuesday (June 25). Made up of Brandon Hagen, Drew McDonald and Zach Abramo, Vandaber is best known for the RIAA Platinum-certified “Alien Blues,” which has more than 540 million streams on Spotify alone. “Vandaber has already accomplished so much as a fully independent band, and we're thrilled to welcome them to Loma Vista and into this exciting next phase of their career,” Loma Vista A&R Susan Bush said in a statement. The band is managed by Alternative Side's Allie Ehasz and Zach Zarrillo and booked by Wasserman's Greg Horvall and Carly Goldberg.
Up-and-coming country singer-songwriter Baker Blankenship (“Maxed Out”) has signed to Lone Star/Santa Ana Records. According to a press release, “Maxed Out” has over 26,000 plays on TikTok and over 6 million streams. Alamo Records/Santa Ana Records CEO Todd Moskowitz said in a statement that the song is “quickly establishing itself as a resonant hit.”
Professional baseball pitcher Kenley Jansen has launched an independent record label, KJ74 Entertainment, signing three artists: RAFIK, Omar Pierce, and Amos of Icons Curacao. The label's first release, RAFIK's new single/video “TUKUN,” was released on Friday (June 21). According to a press release, the label will be a “nursery” for emerging artists and will focus on a variety of genres to introduce the sounds of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) to a global audience.
Drew Baldridge has signed with UTA for all-around representation. The country singer-songwriter's single “She's Somebody's Daughter” is currently ranked #15 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, a feat he achieved without the backing of a major label or management team. Baldridge is signed to Sony Music Publishing. His team also includes business manager Becky Harris (Huskin-Harris Business Management) and attorney Jeff Biederman (Greenberg Traurig, LLP). – Jessica Nicholson
Grammy nominated artist, songwriter and producer Gallant (Wait in Gold, Cave Me In) has signed with Mom + Pop Music. The first release under the deal is Gallant's new single “Cold Star.” Gallant has collaborated with artists such as Dua Lipa, Chu, Brandy, Noah Cyrus and Sufjan Stevens and has performed at festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits.
10K Projects has signed virtual artist angelbaby through Web3 agency Hume to re-release his track “Life Is Good” featuring Jagwar Twin. “This deal marks a major milestone for Hume as we continue our mission to be the Pixar of music,” the Hume team said in a statement. “We're always looking for partners to help elevate our artists even further into the cultural world, and we're excited to work towards that goal with 10K on “Life Is Good.” “
Big Loud Records has signed singer-songwriter Kashs Culpepper. The Alabama native began performing while deployed with the U.S. Navy on the Spanish island of Rota. On Friday (June 21), the label released his single, “After Me?”. Culpepper is booked by CAA and managed by Jay Hallen. – Jessica Nicholson
According to a press release, Dexter and the Moonrocks are a “former country/western band” currently making “western space grunge music” and are signed to big loud rock label Severance Records. The label will release the band's latest EP, Western Space Grunge, on July 19th. The EP's first track, “Bleach,” was released on June 12th. The band is managed by Chris Showman of Lion's Claw Entertainment and booked by Mike Klug of WME.
Country singer-songwriter Ashland Craft has signed to independent record label Leo33. Craft has toured supporting artists such as Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Zac Brown Band, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen. He recently finished the Damascus Acoustic Tour with Elvy Shane and performed at CMA Fest. He will next be performing at festivals such as Summerfest, Watershed Music Festival and Field & Stream Festival.