Zara Larsson announces own record label + back catalogue acquisition 08 Jun 2022
Multi-platinum global pop star Zara Larsson has today detailed plans for her own brand new record label, Sommer House. Sommer House will be licensed through Epic USA and distributed by Sony Sweden for all forthcoming Zara Larsson releases, with Larsson just dropping a brand new version of Abba's 'Lay All Your Love On Me'.
In a unique agreement made with TEN Music Group CEO Ola Håkansson – who originally signed Zara – Larsson has also today taken control of her entire recording catalogue (which has been streamed over 9 billion times). Having been signed to the Swedish independent since 2011, Zara's relationship with TEN has resulted in one of her country's most successful international exports – a story that continues in this new venture...
Commenting on the deal today, Zara states: "I really want to say thank you to Ola and everyone at TEN for giving me the opportunity to break out as an artist and helping me start my career. You are now also making something happen that is so, so rare for a woman in the music industry - the capability to own my own catalogue. With that it makes perfect sense that I would start my own record company. I very much look forward to my future and to a continued collaboration with Sony as well.'
"This is a natural and exciting development in Zara's continuing music career," Ola Håkansson comments. "We have worked together for more than 10 fantastic, eventful years and Zara is, despite her young age, an established and respected international artist with extensive experience of the international music scene today. It is going to be really exciting to follow Zara's ongoing music career. I wish her the best of luck, and I am convinced the she is going to achieve all her musical dreams and get to show her amazing artistry on the worlds biggest stages."
Epic CEO Slvia Rhone, meanwhile, closes: "Zara is a cornerstone artist for Epic Records. As she continues to deliver incredible music, we're privileged and excited to be part of the next chapter of her dynamic career."
Currently featuring on Alesso's latest single 'Words', Zara Larsson has just dropped her Spotify Singles cover of 'Lay All Your Love On Me' in a pulsing rework produced by Mark Ralph (Years & Years, Georgia). Zara was also invited to attend the premiere of ABBA's 'Voyage' residency at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ahead of Larsson's European tour this summer and brand new music expected this autumn.
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THE HEADLINES
Why aren’t all songwriters being paid for their songs in live concerts? (see Comment)
StubHub allowed prolific tout to list 300 tickets for sold-out Lewis Capaldi show (see News)
Predatory music deals and the perpetuity problem (see Comment)
U2’s Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Muller Jr. release statements on Israel and Gaza (see News)
Some artists are leaving Spotify (again). Here’s what’s different now (see Comment)
Have record labels turned into private equity firms? (see Comment)
How the Swedes altered the songwriting process (see Features)
Fandom as a multi-layered experience (see Analysis)
How entertainment and creators can thrive together (see Comment)
How the charts found God (see Features)
ElevenLabs launches AI music platform Eleven Music (see Digital)
What is the value of a stream in 2025? (see Comment)
Spotify to raise subscription prices in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East (see Digital)
Napster's 25th anniversary reunion spotlights how its rule-breaking launch in 1999 reshaped both the music and tech landscapes. (see Features)