Dave Stewart of Eurythmics signs UK artist to own record label

15 September 2020 - Press release

Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart recently announced the winner of the Trackd songwriting competition for artists in quarantine.  

UK artist Otto, 22, claimed the $6,000 prize and will release his first single, "Tell Me Something"  on Stewart's brand new Bay Street Records label. Dave Stewart said of working with Otto on the new track, "I was drawn towards Otto because he used my basic track as inspiration and then took it to another place. That allowed me to use my imagination on how I could produce it into something special."

The competition, brainchild of Stewart, co-founder and executive producer of the hit NBC TV show Songland, saw artists release their collaboration on music creation and sharing platform Trackd. The initiative behind the contest encouraged artists in lockdown to use the time to get creative. 

Dave, who is an early adopter of Trackd and a champion of young talent, recently said, "Using Trackd now for eight-track recordings and mixing reminds me of making 'Sweet Dreams ( Are Made of This)' which I recorded and produced on an 8-track tape recorder back in the day. If the song is great you don't need more than eight tracks. Trackd is becoming a go-to collaboration community and I can't wait to hear what comes next..." 

The first single, which was the contest-winning entry "Tell Me Something" is to be released on Friday, October 23, 2020.

Otto says, "It's really exciting. To have that support, love, and care behind what I create is an indescribable feeling – very fun times ahead indeed. Trackd is a great app that I've been using for the past year to note down song ideas and to quickly collaborate. I think this situation perfectly sums up how useful this app is. If you're a writer/musician it's certainly a handy tool to have at your fingertips".

Founder and CEO of Trackd, Russell Sheffield has music blood flowing through his veins.  Russell grew up around iconic names in the music business with his father at Trident Studios. During the lockdown, acutely aware of struggles faced by artists he's created a way that puts the power into the artists' hands. 

Speaking about how the global pandemic has affected artists across the world, Sheffield says, "This period can be a scary time, with artists having significant revenue streams cut off. We are giving musicians a way to use this time to get in touch with some big names to help them get the break they need". 

"Along with the involvement, passion, and star power of artists such as Dave Stewart, Trackd allows artists around the world to use their phone to get a headstart in the music industry."