Dangerbird Records

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Dangerbird Records
Dangerbird logo.png
Founded 2004
Distributor(s) Fontana Distribution
Alternative Distribution Alliance (2004-2010)
Genre Alternative rock
Indie rock
Country of origin United States
Location Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California
Official Website http://www.dangerbirdrecords.com

Dangerbird Records is an independent record label located in Los Angeles, California. Founded by Peter Walker and Jeff Castelaz in 2004, the label is home to artists across the globe, as well as part of the burgeoning Silver Lake music scene. The label has seen international success from their small roster of artists including Silversun Pickups, Fitz and The Tantrums, and Minus the Bear.

Contents

History [edit]

The two founders represented different roles in the music industry. Castelaz was a manager who had managed Feist, Phoenix, Citizen King, and others), while Walker was a singer-songwriter. The label's first release: Walker's solo album Landed.[1]

Their business approach includes a strong emphasis on artist development, as well as working with a network of partners to help the bands reach a wide market.[2] As of January 2011, Dangerbird has been distributed exclusively in the United States by Fontana Distribution,[3] which was purchased in March 2012 by INgrooves to form INgrooves Fontana.[4]

In 2006, Dangerbird gained repute after releasing Carnavas, the debut full-length album by Silversun Pickups, to sales of over 375,000. The band's lead singer Brian Aubert has said of Dangerbird, "They believe in careers, and the long haul - something that majors used to believe in. They stuck with us when most people wouldn't have."[5]

On September 14, 2012, Walker announced Jenni Sperandeo to president. In October 2012, Castelaz was named President of the legendary label Elektra Records, home of The Doors, MC5, Queen, and current-day artists Cee-Lo Green, Ed Sheeran, Fitz and The Tantrums, Kitten and others.[6] Sperandeo said in a statement, "After nearly 20 years in radio promotion, management and artist development, I am thrilled for the opportunity to step into this more comprehensive role at a rare, artist-driven enterprise."

The outside of Dangerbird's headquarters in Silver Lake featured a tribute to Castelaz's son Pablo, who died of cancer in 2009 and was the inspiration for The Pablove Foundation.[7]

Current Label Roster [edit]

Former Label Roster [edit]

Darker My Love - live in concert

External links [edit]

Dangerbird in the Media [edit]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Wood, Mikael. "Dangerbird's Wings: Silversun Pickups' Label Bangs Out a Template for a Post–Major Label Landscape". LA Weekly. 
  2. ^ Baca, Ricardo (March 2, 2008). "Small-is-good strategy works for indie label". The Denver Post. 
  3. ^ Halperin, Shirley (November 1, 2010). "Universal's Fontana Partners With Dangerbird Records". The Hollywood Reporter. 
  4. ^ "INgrooves buys Fontana Distribution from Universal Music Group". Los Angeles Times. March 2, 2012. 
  5. ^ Martins, Chris (August 22, 2010). "L.A.'s string of indie labels succeeds with a jack-of-all-trades approach". Los Angeles Times. 
  6. ^ "Jeff Castelaz, Matt Solodky Exit Dangerbird; Jenni Sperandeo Named President". Billboard. September 14, 2012. 
  7. ^ Villand, Kiino (January 2, 2010). "Dangerbird Records moves into a new Barbara Bestor-designed compound". Style Section L.A. 
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