Exceleration Music launches to 'enhance the future' of the independent sector

 By Emmanuel Legrand

A new company, Exceleration Music, has launched with the ambition to "enhance the future" of independent labels and artists and "to offer personalised solutions to entrepreneurs seeking capital to achieve growth, as well as those trying to achieve liquidity or an honourable exit which preserves and enhances the legacies of both the entrepreneurs and their artists alike." Exceleration first partners are blues label Alligator Records, jazz label Candid Records and The Ray Charles Foundation.

  The Exceleration initiative was started by Glen Barros, former CEO of Concord Music Group, and the project has developed into a partnership with independent-minded executive such as Dave Hansen, Executive Chairman of independent labels' licensing agency Merlin and previous GM of Epitaph Records; Charles Caldas, who was CEO of Merlin from its launch until the end of 2019; Amy Dietz, the previous GM of music distribution company Ingrooves; and music producer John Burk, former President of Concord Records. 

  This group of entrepreneurs is backed by "substantial investment capital" and shares "core founding values of integrity, fairness, openness, humility and excellence." Their plan for Exceleration is to leverage their expertise and understanding of the independent music culture "to make tailored investments in independent music rights and the individuals that create them."

Investing in independent music

  “We believe in and are devoted to investing in independent music,” said Barros, “and, with this team, we are well-positioned to deliver a complete package of financial, operational and strategic value to our investment partners, all of which comes with great reverence for the music they’ve created and the brands they’ve built.”

Glen Barros

  As a first step, Exceleration has announced an investment in Chicago-based independent blues and roots label, Alligator Records, as well as a partnership with its founder, Bruce Iglauer, who founded the label 50 years ago.

  Exceleration said Iglauer will continue to lead his Chicago-based team and handle A&R, artist signings, new release production, project marketing, publicity, and promotion. As part of the partnership, Exceleration will handle financial, operational, and administrative functions for the label. Alligator joins jazz label Candid Records, which was acquired by Exceleration at the beginning of 2020. Candid will be relaunched later in 2021 with new releases and special catalogue re-issues.

Putting people first

  In addition, Exceleration has also entered into an alliance with The Ray Charles Foundation that will lead to the joint releases of recordings from the Ray Charles vaults, most of which have not been widely available on digital music services for the past decade.

  Barros commented: “When I started the company, I decided to go with a ‘first who, then what’ strategy. With our industry becoming more and more commoditised, I wanted to put people first — people who care about independent music and share similar values. Quite frankly, I am completely amazed and truly blessed by how this strategy has developed. To have partners like John, Amy, Charles, and Dave is truly a dream come true." 

  He concluded: "With a dedicated group like this, I know we’re going to do great things for the indie community and have a lot of fun along the way.”