(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
The new label from longtime music industry veteran Marc Nathan, Flagship Recordings, has signed a North American distribution deal with Fontana Distribution, which is the new indie distribution arm of Universal Music & Video Distribution (UMVD). Four Flagship releases are planned for Fontana Distribution this calendar year. Nathan has worked in a variety of promotion and A&R posts at a number of labels over a 34-year-period, including stints at the vice presidential level at Sire, Atlantic, and within the Universal Music Group.
"We are thrilled that Flagship will join the growing Fontana family," stated Steve Pritchitt, general manager of Fontana. "Marc has a long history with UMG, and his love of music and dedication to artists is well-known."
"Because of my long standing relationship with Steven Page and Barenaked Ladies," said Nathan, "I had the opportunity to obtain the US rights to Steven's Vanity Project and start my own label. Jim Urie president of Universal Music & Video Distribution said he'd be thrilled to have us work together through Fontana. I told him I wanted to have the flagship label of Fontana Distribution, and that's when I realized I had just named my label. Now we have an opportunity to get this great music out to the people!"
"For a while I had been looking for the motivation that would allow me to get a venture like this off the ground," said Nathan, "and Steven, his management at Nettwerk, and a number of my friends in the industry were all willing to take the leap of faith and supply the encouragement. To say I am both passionate and excited about the formation of Flagship Recordings and the release of The Vanity Project are perhaps the greatest understatements of my lengthy career in this ever-changing industry."
The first release on Flagship will be the self-titled album from The Vanity Project, which features Barenaked Ladies' lead singer Steven Page. The Vanity Project is a collaboration between Page and his frequent co-writing partner, Stephen Duffy, and is set for a June 21 release. Other releases will be by Brett Dennen on July 12, Tremolo's "Love Is The Greatest Revenge" on August 9 and Eugene Edwards' "My Favorite Revolution" on August 23.
–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
