Neon Gold Records (known for launching the careers of artists such as Tove Lo, Charli XCX and Marina & The Diamonds) and New York-based independent label Avenue A have announced the launch of a new independent music group called Futures Music Group.
The key word here is “announcement”: the brand group has been operating “secretly” since January 2024 and has achieved commercial success good neighbor‘First single Homethe game launched in January and reached platinum status nine months later.
Co-founded by Neon Gold Derrick Davis and Avenue A Dave WallaceFutures Music Group describes itself as “a collective of innovative labels, artists and executives focused on reinventing the music business by leveraging creative deal structures and best-in-class technology to change the label paradigm.”
The New York-based company promises “a new artist-forward branding paradigm designed to evolve at the speed of the internet, empowering artists by providing a transparent, flexible deal structure that prioritizes incentive alignment and artist empowerment, while Not an outdated ownership model.
Its release list includes phantomwhose new album one day’s memory Opening Friday with Good Neighbors, knock on door, barncourtney, palaceand its latest additions, happy mountainthrough a joint venture with the orchestra’s own bloom field notes.
“We believe the future of the music industry has never been brighter for artists and the independent industry,” said Derek Davies, co-founder and co-chief executive of Futures Music Group.
“We believe the industry has reached the biggest turning point in the history of the record label system as we enter a new music economy that is moving toward artist ownership. We believe that for a well-funded and well-resourced This is a meaningful opportunity for a record label with a proven track record to deliver significant results for independent artists, which is our goal with Futures.
In addition to its co-executives Davis and Wallace (who founded Avenue A Records after selling their management company in 2019) Three sixty/Locke Nation), the company’s leadership team also includes Sarah Kesselman (Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager), Nikki Berger (Chief Operating Officer) and Jeff Lin (Chief Financial Officer).
The company said it is building out “core services internal teams” that include digital, sync, sales and content production.
“We believe the industry has reached its biggest inflection point in record label history because we are entering a new music economy that is moving toward artist ownership.”
Derek Davis, Future Music Group
New technology appears to be playing a big role in Futures’ growth, with Davis and Wallace founding and investing in “tech businesses that drive the music business forward and create value for artists.”
To date, strategic investments have included Great effecta digital marketing platform founded by former Spotify and universal music group (UMG) data planner Mike Biganiand notes.fma copyright management platform Dry co-founder Tim Luck.
Futures said its partnership with Notes.fm has proven profitable, with the platform identifying “seven figures” of unearned revenue for Futures’ publishing artists in the form of existing royalties from previously unclaimed historical releases .
The announcement of Futures comes four months after Neon Gold Records signed a multi-year global distribution deal with UMG. Virgin Music Group.
“This partnership allows us to maintain our independent and artist-centric ethos while benefiting from Virgin Music Group’s scale, global infrastructure and team,” Davis said at the time.
“This is the perfect combination to support our mission of delivering significant results for artists in an independent way, forging new paths for our shows to have more control, both creatively and commercially.”global music business
