Impartial music firm Exceleration Music has acquired the catalog of US impartial label Kill Rock Stars, and has additionally shaped a brand new partnership with founder Slim Moon to “amplify” the label’s new launch program.
Underneath the deal, Moon will proceed to deal with A&R and can be actively signing and growing new artists.
Exceleration and Moon may also collaborate on advertising and marketing initiatives which it says are “designed to make sure Kill Rock Stars’ culturally vital musical legacy is widely known and saved lively within the fast-changing market”.
Based in Olympia, Washington in 1991 to launch spoken phrase and music by Moon’s mates within the Pacific Northwest underground music scene, Kill Rock Stars initially targeted on feminine artists comparable to Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Heavens to Betsy.
Exceleration Music is the music enterprise based by indie sector executives Glen Barros, John Burk, Charles Caldas, Amy Dietz, and Dave Hansen in January.
The deal is the newest in a collection of investments and partnerships from Exceleration, whose roster contains the strategic enterprise with Los Angeles label SideOneDummy introduced earlier this 12 months, in addition to the acquisition of indie label Bloodshot Information, and an alliance with the Justin Townes Earle property introduced in 2021.
Exceleration additionally owns jazz label Candid Information, and has partnered with Alligator Information and the famend Ray Charles Basis.
Between 2006 and 2019 Kill Rock Stars was efficiently run by Moon’s spouse Dr. Portia Sabin, now President of the Music Enterprise Affiliation, who broadened the roster to incorporate recordings of stand-up comedians comparable to Cameron Esposito, W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu, whereas additionally signing artists together with Horse Feathers, the Thermals, and Thao & the Get Down Keep Down.
In 2019 the label moved to Nashville and Moon took the reins once more, signing artists together with Massive Joanie, Habibi, Logan Lynn, Bitch, MAITA, TEKE::TEKE, and zannie.
“I’m grateful and excited that this chance got here alongside. Exceleration’s workforce and imaginative and prescient is an ideal match for Kill Rock Stars.”
Slim Moon, Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars founder Slim Moon, stated: “I’m grateful and excited that this chance got here alongside. Exceleration’s workforce and imaginative and prescient is an ideal match for Kill Rock Stars.
“We’ll be capable to do much more to assist our artists whereas staying true to the core values KRS was based on. It is a nice scenario for our present and future artists, in addition to for the KRS catalog.”
“I’m thrilled that Exceleration exists and gives an possibility for labels who wish to keep impartial at the moment when there’s a lot change in our trade.”
Dr. Portia Sabin
Dr. Portia Sabin added: “I’ve recognized Glen, Amy, Dave, and Charles for years and I belief them to have the abilities and data in addition to the perfect pursuits of our label and the impartial market at coronary heart.
“I’m thrilled that Exceleration exists and gives an possibility for labels who wish to keep impartial at the moment when there’s a lot change in our trade.”
“Kill Rock Stars is likely one of the quintessential indie labels.”
Glen Barros
Glen Barros stated: “Kill Rock Stars is likely one of the quintessential indie labels. Slim and Portia have adopted their hearts – and ears! – in constructing a splendidly various imprint that defies definition however nonetheless manages to convey a crystal-clear identification.
“And so they’ve constructed it with full integrity. We’re extremely grateful that Kill Rock Stars can be becoming a member of us right here at Exceleration and may’t wait to see what Slim has in retailer for the longer term. We look ahead to working with him in constructing the following section of this unbelievable label.”
“The riot grrrl motion and Elliot Smith’s music have performed an integral and galvanizing position in my life.”
Exceleration companion Amy Dietz, stated: “The riot grrrl motion and Elliot Smith’s music have performed an integral and galvanizing position in my life.
“These artists, and what they stood for, led me to find many extra extraordinary, style defining and defying artists on the Kill Rock Stars label.
“The deeper I dug, the extra I got here to understand what a rare neighborhood that Kill Rock Stars constructed, and proceed to construct round their singular imaginative and prescient and values.
Added Dietz: “I love that they’ve been fierce advocates for the impartial neighborhood as a complete, placing individuals first and at all times remaining artist pleasant, which aligns very a lot with our core values at Exceleration.
“Their enthusiasm, ardour and creativity are unparalleled, and infectious, and we couldn’t be extra excited to have the chance to work with this superb catalog and to collaborate with Slim, Portia and the entire KRS workforce on this subsequent chapter. The long run could be very shiny!”Music Enterprise Worldwide
