The Ins & Outs of Signing a Record Deal

What We Look for in an AWAL Artist

With a selective, curated roster, we’re able to give our artists a higher quality of service that goes far beyond

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The REPRESENT Brunch

This past March, in honor of Women’s History Month and our continuous effort to celebrate underrepresented communities, we hosted the

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The Ins & Outs of Signing a Record Deal

The almighty record deal — sought after, vilified, ever-evolving — boils down to words on a page, and those words

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AWAL Renews Global Deal with Spacey Jane

We’re excited to announce the renewal of our global recordings deal with Australian indie rock foursome Spacey Jane. The deal

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AWAL Signs Tora-i to Global Recordings Deal

We are excited to announced a worldwide deal with rising R&B artist, Tora-i. The AWAL Recordings deal offers Tora-i a

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AWAL Signs Tom Misch for Forthcoming Album

We’re excited to announce we have extended our existing agreement with Tom Misch, as he gears up for his next

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AWAL Signs Jungle to Global Recordings Deal

We’re excited to announce a worldwide deal with the UK Electronic producer duo, Jungle. The AWAL recordings deal offers the duo

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AWAL Signs Worldwide Recordings Deal with Payton Moormeier

We are excited to announce a global deal with singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Payton.  AWAL will provide Payton a full

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Top 10 Uncommon Secrets For Uploading, Marketing & Releasing Your Music

Today, we’re featuring a guest post from Benjamin Groff. Benjamin is a music executive who’s worked over 25 years in

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AWAL Signs Global Deal With Joesef

We’re excited to announce a global deal with Joesef. AWAL will provide Joesef and his team a full range of

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AWAL Artists Earning Over $100,000 In Annual Streaming Revenue Grows By Over 40%.

Today we’ve announced findings from an analysis of streaming royalty data for our AWAL artists. From the year-over-year analysis, we

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AWAL Extends Deal With The Wombats For Upcoming Fifth Album

We’re excited to announce a renewed partnership with English indie rock band, The Wombats. The deal for the new album

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AWAL and Little Simz Team Up Again For Highly Anticipated Album

We’re excited to announce a renewed partnership with Simbi Ajikawo, the British rapper,  songwriter and actor, better known as Little

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AWAL Teams Up With Zoom To Support United Nations COVID-19 Response

We’re excited to announce that we have teamed up with Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM), and select AWAL artists

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Welcoming Alaina Castillo & Chosen People to AWAL

We’re happy to announce a global deal with Mexican-American artist Alaina Castillo via Chosen People. The AWAL Recordings deal offers

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Crisis (Tour) Management: A Road Warrior’s Battle With COVID Fallout

Things fall apart. Just ask your neighborhood tour manager.

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Managing Up: From Shopping Carts to “Sicko Mode”

You miss 100% of the moonshots you don’t take. 

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Augment THIS: The Social Power of Pink Balaclava AR

#nofilter hasn’t aged so hot. 

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Welcoming mxmtoon to AWAL

We’re happy to announce a global deal with singer, songwriter, and producer, mxmtoon. The AWAL Recordings deal offers mxmtoon a

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400M+ Sold: Uncut Gems From A Music Supermanager

Lucas Keller’s serving world domination with a smile : )

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Welcoming Pete Giberga as Head of A&R

Happy to announcee the hiring of Pete Giberga as Head of A&R, North America. Based in Kobalt’s New York office,

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New Decade, New Reads: 2020 Music Industry Stories

Who gon’ see the future first? 

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Welcoming Australian Indie Band, Spacey Jane

We’re happy to announce a global deal with indie rock band, Spacey Jane. The AWAL Recordings deal offers Spacey Jane

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How The Youth Moves: Music Media Through A Teen’s Eyes

Something miraculous happened between 1.5 and 2.8 million years ago. Scientists swear it. 2001: A Space Odyssey swears it, too.

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53M Fans: Group Chats Power The Nations’ Internet Empire

“Think like a fish, not a fisherman.” 

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1000 New Fans: Close Talker’s 3D Audio Tour Experiment

Close Talker like to say f*ck it. 

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Welcoming girl in red to the AWAL Family

We’re happy to announce an exclusive worldwide recordings deal with indie pop producer and songwriter, girl in red. The AWAL

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Iceland’s Music Scene Is (Still) Punching Above Its Weight

Jet to Reykjavik, mythical Iceland’s coastal hub, and your first airport music encounter will in all likelihood involve some timely

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AWAL Hires Jennifer Kirell as Vice President, Catalog Marketing

We’re happy to announce the hire of Jennifer Kirell as VP, Catalog Marketing. Based in Kobalt’s New York office, Jennifer

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Welcoming RaeLynn to the AWAL Family

Platinum recording artist RaeLynn has inked a worldwide recording deal with Round Here Records – the newly-formed label created by

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What Happens When You Drop Rising UK Artists In Music City, USA

What’s an ocean to a kid with an internet connection? Still an awful lot of water to cross.

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SPACES: girl in red Hit 150M Streams With Inclusive Self-Love And A $150 Mic

  Marie Ulven reads minds. 

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Nicki Shamel Promoted to VP, Digital Sales & Account Management, NA

We’re happy to announce the promotion of Nicki Shamel to the position of Vice President, Digital Sales & Account Management,

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The Other Nashville Society And Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Announce London AWAL Artist Immersion Week

UK Artists Millie Turner, Litany, Iyamah and MAX RAD Set for a Week of Global Collaborations with Prominent Nashville Songwriters

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Aaron Bogucki Promoted to Vice President, Marketing

We’re happy to announce the promotion of Aaron Bogucki to Vice President, Marketing. Based in Kobalt’s London office, Bogucki will

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Please Tour Responsibly: Managing Chaos on the Road

This is the second piece featuring tour manager Stacy Wiseman. Click here for the first read. 

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How FEWOCiOUS Turned Old Artwork Into Her Own Business

Several years ago, before 10s of 1000s of people shared her design work, when “FEWOCiOUS” was just a tough-love chat

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AWAL & Icelandair Team Up for Iceland Airwaves Music Festival Showcase

We’re excited to announce that AWAL and Icelandair have reached a partnership to support a showcase of amazing Icelandic, Nordic

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2019 Autumn Reading List: Music Industry Edition

The AWAL Reading List is a quarterly installment that aggregates noteworthy articles for rising artists and managers to sink their

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Welcoming Sam Potts as Vice President of Promotions

We’re happy to announce the hiring of Sam Potts as vice president, promotion. Based in Kobalt’s London office, Potts will

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Views May Vary: How Formats Impact Music Marketing

Formats rule everything around us. 

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Welcoming Simon Fuller’s Global Pop Group Now United to AWAL

We’re happy to announce an exclusive worldwide deal, with Simon Fuller’s new global pop group, Now United. The AWAL recordings

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So You Think You Can #Ad Spend?

An advertisement is an attempt to purchase attention.

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I’ve Got A Synch: How Songs Land UK’s Hit Series ‘Love Island’

Appointment viewing is back in style in England. Synchs? En vogue. 

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A Globetrotting Tour Manager On Nerf Guns, Dead Phones, 24/7 Hustle

Stacy Wiseman has devoted her last decade to learning the ins and outs of the live music business. She has

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Past Due: The Rise & Fall of Album Delays

Once upon a time in hip-hop, release dates felt like empty promises, and bated breath became the default setting for

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Welcoming Juicebox Recordings, Franc Moody, & Joe Hertz to AWAL

AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, today announced worldwide recordings deals with artists Franc Moody and Joe Hertz formalising AWAL’s partnership with

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Welcoming Round Here Records to the AWAL Family

We’re happy to announce a worldwide partnership with Round Here Records, a newly-formed label created by trailblazing Florida Georgia Line

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AWAL and PRS Foundation Partner for Women Make Music Fund

AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, today announced a year-long partnership with PRS Foundation for its flagship fund, Women Make Music, which

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Shay Lia Wants to Tell You What It Really Takes

Our hard drives and servers fold under the weight of what we’ve forgotten: buried downloads, ancient playlists, all the photos

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How Sustainable Is Your Streaming Income?

This article provides a series of thought experiments to think about basic income forecasting from streaming a bit differently. It

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How This Viral IG Visual Artist Makes Magic From Scraps

Obstacles crumble when you know how to stretch a dollar. 

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How An Old Game Amplified A 2019 Streaming Hit

We recommend playing Billy Meets World for at least 30 seconds before continuing. Godspeed.

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Welcoming Bianca Bhagat as SVP of Synch & Brand Partnerships

AWAL, Kobalt’s recorded music company, announced the hiring of Bianca Bhagat as senior vice president, synch & brand partnerships, AWAL.

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Browser History: Best Industry Reads 2019 (So Far)

2019’s hardly half over and it’s already delivered some of the best music journalism in recent memory. We’ve got deep

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Welcoming R&B/Soul Artist Snoh Aalegra to AWAL

AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, today announced an exclusive, worldwide partnership  deal with Snoh Aalegra and Artium Recordings. The AWAL deal

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The Ups & Downs Of Live LIfe

Touring’s been a thing since our ancient ancestors wandered from cave to cave in search of the kind of naturally

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Welcoming Indie Rock Band Cold War Kids to AWAL

We’re happy to announce a worldwide deal with indie rock band, Cold War Kids. The AWAL recordings deal offers the

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Survival of the Optimized: YouTube On YouTube

If you’re anything like us, you’ve spent many nights submarining through YouTube’s oceanic depths, downing related video after related video

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Op-Ed: The Sounds That Shaped My Life ft. Simon Curtis

Singer. Songwriter. Actor. Author. Over the last decade, Simon Curtis has flipped just about every medium he can find into

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Music Is Looking Less Top-Heavy Than Ever Before

Records are breaking left and right.

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AWAL Signs Upstream Deal with Australian Musician Angie McMahon

We’re happy to announce an upstream deal with musician, Angie McMahon. The AWAL Recordings deal offers McMahon a full range of

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When We Sleep Where Do Royalties Go?

You can Venmo your friend money before you finish this sentence. 

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Jessica Johnson Named Director of Promotion, Rock Formats at in2une

in2une, AWAL’s radio promotion business, today announced the hiring of Jessica Johnson as Director of Promotion, Rock Formats.  Based on

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Steve Lacy & 3QTR Join AWAL

We’re happy to announce a new recordings deal with artist and producer, Steve Lacy via 3QTR. The AWAL recordings deal offers

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10 Career Lessons from a Bipolar, Schizophrenic Music Journalist

To close mental health awareness month on a powerful note, Kiana Fitzgerald (FADER, Complex, NPR, Rolling Stone) pens a guest

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11 Artists On Safeguarding Their Headspace During Tour

It’s too easy to let what matters most slip away.

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Welcoming Daniel Stuart as Senior Vice President of US Business Affairs

We’re happy to announce the hiring of Daniel Stuart as senior vice president, business affairs, United States. Based in AWAL’s

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A Brief Inquiry Into Building Music Empires With 1975 Manager Jamie Oborne

“How Did You Manage That” is a new podcast created by the MMF focused on getting inside the minds of

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Bringing ‘A World Artists Love’ to The Great Escape 2019

We’re happy to announce our “A World Artists Love” programming and stage at this year’s The Great Escape, which is taking place

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Imran Ahmed’s In Real Life Joins the AWAL Fam

We’re happy to announce an exclusive worldwide recordings partnership with LA-based independent label In Real Life. The deal will leverage AWAL

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Decoded: The History of Record Deals

Artists have always shaped music’s future, and tech has always shaped how they do it. When you retrace our industry’s steps, macro

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SideOne Dummy Records Joins the AWAL Fam

We’re happy to announce an exclusive worldwide deal with the established LA-based independent label, SideOne Dummy Records. The worldwide deal will

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AWAL Launches Radio Show Residency on foundation.fm

We’re excited to announce that AWAL will take to the airwaves with the launch of a biweekly residency, ‘A World

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Welcoming Thomas Fiss to Foster Brand Partnerships for AWAL Artists & Labels

We’re thrilled to announce the hiring of Thomas Fiss as Vice President, Strategic Marketing, North America. Based in AWAL’s Los

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Building Your Dream Team: The Creative Director

Creative directors help convert audible messages and emotions into stimuli for the eyes, and they do it while adhering to

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Building Your Dream Team: The Music Publisher

Matchmaker. Money hunter. Happy to help. Music publishers are our industry’s backbone. Without them, many special songs would never get

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Welcoming Delphine Ferre to Oversee International Marketing at AWAL

We’re happy to announce the recent hiring of Delphine Ferre as Marketing Director, France. Based in Paris, Delphine will oversee

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Masters of Scale: The Music Producer

Building Your Dream Team breaks down the fundamental members of an artist’s operation through the 5Ws lens: Who, What, When,

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The Tiny Bedroom Where FINNEAS & Billie Eilish Are Redefining Pop Music

Tucked away in a modest East LA neighborhood, among trinkets, sketches, Murakami pillows, and a sweetheart dog named Pepper, there’s

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[Mis]Conceptions: Women In The Mix

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Welcoming Leading Independent Label, B-Unique, to the AWAL Fam

We’re happy to announce an exclusive worldwide recording deal with UK-based independent label, B-Unique. The worldwide deal will leverage AWAL

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AWAL Signs Upstream Deal With Alt-Pop Artist Millie Turner

We’re happy to announce an exclusive worldwide recording deal with singer-songwriter, Millie Turner. The AWAL recordings deal offers Turner a

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Beyond the Playlist: Artist Marketing Tools

Luck favors the self-reliant.

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Radio’s Place In A Streaming World

You know the narrative. Once upon a time, when terrestrial radio reigned supreme, jockeys, DJs, and programmers handpicked which artists

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What to Know Before You Drop A Dime On Music (1 of 5)

Dollars can only do so much damage without the right strategy. Managers, artists, and marketers discuss what to think through

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Decoded: Another Smart Artist Talks Smart Artist Marketing

It’s tough to talk about Fadil El Ghoul without running out of breath. The DJ / producer / remixer /

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This Visual Framework Makes Smart Spending Easier (2 of 5)

We made a wonderful, colorful infographic to help you put your eggs in the proper baskets. This is the second

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How Artist Development Powers Artist Marketing (3 of 5)

Content kings and queens discuss the key component of music marketing: artistry itself.  This is the third piece in a

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Setting Up Music Marketing Campaigns for Success (4 of 5)

Dig into the different ways constant feedback and early fans can lead to better music marketing campaigns. This is the

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The Art of Making Smart Music Marketing Ideas Happen (5 of 5)

Bold billboard campaigns, clever digital ad hacks, and hall of fame music marketing ideas await you. This is the fifth

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Blake Rose On In-N-Out, Big Nipples, Industry Nonsense

Welcome to #nofilter, a recurring interview series that gives standout artists room to breathe.

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Welcoming the New Head of Canadian Operations Chris Hardy to AWAL

We’re happy to welcome Chris Hardy to the AWAL family as Head of Operations, Canada. Based in AWAL’s newly announced

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Soulful R&B Singer-Songwriter Omar Apollo Joins AWAL

We’re happy to announce an exclusive, long-term worldwide recordings deal with artist, Omar Apollo. AWAL recordings deal offers Apollo a full

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AWAL Takes Over Antone’s at SXSW to Create “A World Artists Love”

We’re happy to unveil our plans to take over legendary Austin music venue, Antone’s at this year’s SXSW on March

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Building Your Dream Team: The Music Publicist

It’s not easy to write your story the right way. Enter music publicists, battle-tested word warriors with an eagle eye view

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Here’s What Six Elite Producers Taught Us About Making It Big

If you’re reading this, it’s time to learn. AWAL’s parent company, Kobalt, invited some of the world’s best and brightest producers

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Building Your Dream Team: The Booking Agent

Few achievements validate (or accelerate) an artist’s impact more than a packed room—from 100-cap basement shows to a headlining bid

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Acclaimed Danish Singer-Songwriter Hugo Helmig Joins AWAL

We’re happy to announce a new worldwide recordings deal with Danish label The Bank for singer-songwriter, Hugo Helmig, having already

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Mk.gee On “Let’s Build” Culture, Tragedy of LA Pizza

Welcome to #nofilter, a recurring Q&A series that gives standout artists room to breath. As Mike Gordon shares his experiments

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