Calabasas, CA (New Land Music) - New Land
Music has announced today they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Corte Madera, CA based Backroads Music, a leading Independent music distributor. In preparation for the holiday season the expected re-launch of Backroads
Music will be mid November 2006. Backroads
Music will continue operations, as a wholly owned subsidiary of New Land Music. Backroads
Music founder,
Lloyd Barde, will continue to handle distribution as Sales Manager.
New Land Music's strategy is to become a role model among independent record labels and to pioneer a music industry business model that is fair and equitable for artists and consumers. We want to provide good music from good citizens and we hope to play an integral part in helping transform the industry. Music we love will be our genre. Backroads Music was founded in 1981 by Lloyd Barde and has become the world's best and most comprehensive source for Ambient, World, Chill Out, New Age, Electronic, Native American, Contemporary Instrumental and select Vocal and Chant music. In 1991 Backroads became a "Mail-Order only" operation with over 50,000 customers. A free catalog will now be available via snail mail or as a download on their new website that will also have the added convenience of a "one-click-away" opportunity to purchase for mail order delivery or digital downloads with more than 4000 titles available.
In making the announcement, Adam Werner, Founder & President New Land Music, said, "Backroads Music is a world recognized company that distributes music direct to the consumer, with a catalog spanning many musical genres and award-winning artists. Backroads Music is a perfect complement to our existing business, where we believe independent music and artist development are of paramount importance. We're pleased and excited to announce this new acquisition."
The first addition to Backroads Music under the new distribution structure will be Silent Awakening, the sophomore album by San Francisco artist Tina Malia (www.amidarecords.com). Tina Malia has been compared to such legendary singer-songwriters as Loreena McKennitt, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Carole King and Sarah McLachlan. Malia's debut, Shores of Avalon, was voted No 1 Vocal Release of 2001 by Backroads Music for its ability to "cast a spell on the listener."
New Land Music is also preparing to launch their new Independent record label after the first of the year that will bring a wide-ranging and complementary array of talent to this alliance and broaden its range of genres adding adult contemporary and pop music. The creativity and consumer driven concept behind New Land Music will help harness emerging opportunities and a connected community to cultivate and empower new and established artists.
The company's partners bring decades of experience in the music industry that includes recording and touring musicians. Their insight and innovation will provide backbone to bring multi-genre of talent to the consumer. New Land Music includes veterans, Adam Werner, Founder & President (renowned guitarist), Kelvyn Evans, CEO (22 years marketing and business development & accomplished musician), Will Ackerman, Executive Vice President (founder of Windham Hill, Grammy Award winning musician, and Gold/Platinum record producer) and Giulio Proietto, Senior Vice President & CFO (over 16 years in the music industry including Sr. VP Finance and Business Affairs for Private Music, Windham Hill Group and VP Finance for EMI Music Distribution).
New Land Music, record label, will debut with Woodsongs, a mesmerizing collection of contemporary acoustic guitar instrumentals featuring Grammy Award Winning and Grammy Award Nominee artists including Will Ackerman, Alex de Grassi, Preston Reed and David Cullen, as well as the next generation of acoustic instrumental guitar artists. Woodsongs is available on the Backroads Music website and catalog.
"New Land Music's strategy is to become a role model among independent record labels and to pioneer a music industry business model that is fair and equitable for artists and consumers. We want to provide good music from good citizens and we hope to play an integral part in helping transform the industry. Music we love will be our genre." - Kelvyn Evans, Chief Executive Officer New Land Music.
Backroads Music will remain in Corte Madera, CA while New Land Music will be based in Calabasas, CA with offices in Hawaii and Vermont. While the musical goals of Backroads Music and New Land Music will overlap synergistically in some areas, they will remain separate artistic entities.
Contact for New Land Music
Kelvyn Evans, CEO
PH/Fax 808-883-2450
www.newlandmusic.com
Contact for Backroads Music
Lloyd Barde, Sales Manager
PH 415-924-4848 - Fax 415-924-0648
www.backroadsmusic.com
