NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Universal Republic Records) - Universal Republic Records has entered into an agreement with Ironworks
Music to exclusively distribute Ironworks' diverse roster in the U.S. The imprint includes actor/producer Kiefer Sutherland and singer/songwriter/producer Jude Cole among its founding partners, and describes itself as a 'full facility entertainment company with an emphasis on 'music community' and featuring a recording label, studio, and publishing company.' The Ironwork roster includes artists'
Rocco DeLuca, Billy Boy on Poison, and honeyhoney, among others.
The partnership was announced today by Monte Lipman, President/CEO of Universal Republic Records, Avery Lipman, Co-President of Universal Republic, and Ironworks' co-founders, Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Cole. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Kiefer and Jude and the entire Ironworks team," stated Monte Lipman. "Ironworks has become a creative haven for artists and an exciting new business model for bringing passionate and inspired music to the forefront. We look forward to a great future ahead of us."
Ironwork's Jude Cole commented, "This is a natural move for Ironworks. Monte, Avery, and their talented and passionate staff have always kept it about the music. We look forward to a productive and lasting relationship that creates a unique signature based on one objective: Breaking great artists with great songs."
Stated Mr. Sutherland: "We couldn't be more excited about moving forward with Universal Republic. This partnership will not only allow us to continue to foster the music we're passionate about, but it will provide us with multiple platforms to reach the kind of audiences we've always hoped for."
Ironworks Music will remain an independent entity with its home base of operations in California, relying on Universal Republic primarily for distribution and additional roster support.
Formed in mid-decade, Ironworks' mission from the start, according to Mr. Cole, has been to 'create optimistic change in a transitional music industry hungering for inspired work.' In a few short years, Ironworks has established itself as a West Coast/grassroots musical foundry with a sturdy roster of diverse artists. Rocco DeLuca was one of the inaugural signings of the imprint. The Long Beach, CA native released his first album on Ironworks in 2006 with his band Rocco DeLuca and The Burden, I Trust You To Kill Me. Produced by Mr. Cole, The CD received rave reviews, and was supported by a two hour behind-the-scenes documentary of the same title.
Kiefer Sutherland introduced the lively documentary at the Nashville Film Festival in April, 2006, and in keeping with Ironworks' hands-on/roll-up-your-sleeves approach, even served as the band's tour manager for a couple of weeks. Most recently, Rocco DeLuca toured with Sheryl Crow. Other artists on the Ironworks roster include honeyhoney, an alt pop duo from Venice, CA featuring Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe, and raucous, guitar-edged rock band Billy Boy on Poison, who are already drawing comparisons to early Stones and 1970s icons the Stooges. Wrote one reviewer of a packed BBOP L.A. show: 'Here's the good news - Billy Boy on Poison doesn't seem to give a f***.' The band recently played a series of gigs with rock veterans Stone Temple Pilots.
Kiefer Sutherland is an Emmy/Golden globe winning veteran of the entertainment industry whose passion for music has been one of the driving forces of Ironworks' underground reign.
For more information, log on to the Ironworks website at www.Ironworksmusic.com.
