FUGA Fires up partnership with Ignition, kindles new relationships with mtheory

14 August 2017 - Press release

• FUGA signs deal with Ignition Records
  
• Partners with mtheory and a string of indie labels across the Americas
  
• FUGA to distribute Atlantic Records Lemonheads catalogue, as Fire Records acquires rights from Warner

FUGA, the industry-leading technology and services company for rightsholders, has signed up Ignition Records and partnered with a string of labels from across the Americas.

Ignition Records is at the forefront of the British independent and alternative music scene through its relationship with the likes of Primal Scream, Courteeners, and The Coral who are now being digitally distributed by the Dutch company.

Meanwhile, a recent on-boarding of new clients in both North and South America is furthering FUGA's expansion. From management services company mtheory, who handle artists such as Major Lazer, Dillon Francis and Porter Robinson, to DJ Premier and Ian Schwartzman's label imprint TTT, who have issued releases and collaborations with the likes of Miguel, Torii Wolf and more; FUGA has sparked deals with companies that range across music genres and business models. New independent label clients such as Prodigy Music Group, Fresh Goods Music, Interline Music Group, and SML/XL have also joined onto the platform and are working with the company's growing US-based team.

FUGA client Fire Records, meanwhile, is acquiring the complete Atlantic Records Lemonheads catalogue from Warner, as part of the WMG divestment process. Fire already controlled some early Lemonheads recordings, but will now start a comprehensive reissue programme of the band's prime catalogue, featuring their bonafide hit "It's a Shame About Ray". The label has also just purchased the first eight albums by quintessential British blues rock band The Groundhogs, much loved by the likes of Mark E Smith and Pavement. As before, all new catalogue will be digitally distributed by FUGA, whose impressive existing client base includes Domino, Epitaph and Tommy Boy.

Pieter van Rijn, CEO of FUGA, said: "It is wonderful to see FUGA's roster keep expanding, with huge names like Ignition and a broad range of labels and services across the world choosing to use our best-of-breed digital distribution services. Our existing clients are seeing the benefits of our flexible platform, and we are delighted to hear about Fire's latest acquisition."

John Leahy, Ignition Records Director, added: "We're excited to be partnering with FUGA and working with them for our digital distribution. We're especially looking forward to seeing them bring their unique brand of innovation and dedication to our artists."

Fire's Co-Owner & Creative Director James Nicholls said: "We've come a long way since we relaunched the label 10 years ago. The last year has been mind-blowing with our current artists flying high, and now, we've signed even more acts to complement our growing and diverse roster."