Beggars Group, one of the world’s biggest independent recorded music companies, has inked a new US physical distribution deal with North Carolina-based Redeye.
UK-born Beggars joins both Domino Recording Co. and Saddle Creek in making the switch to Redeye from January 1 this year.
Physical distribution duties for Beggars’ releases and catalog was previously handled in the US by Warner-owned independent services arm, ADA.
Beggars is home to 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade, Young Turks and XL Recordings.
The group’s decision to move away from ADA comes after significant supply chain problems arose in the United States market with physical product last year.
Warner moved its physical distribution fulfilment to Direct Shot Distribution (DSD) in the first half of 2019, joining Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment – after which multiple retailers were left disappointed by allocation of certain CD and vinyl stock in the States.
“Redeye prides itself on our relationships with our customers and label partners.”
Glenn Dicker, Redeye
“Redeye prides itself on our relationships with our customers and label partners,” said Glenn Dicker, co-founder of Redeye.
“Over the years, we have looked at the Beggars Group as the gold standard of what could be achieved by an independent company with hard work and dedication to artists and music.
“Additionally, Domino and Saddle Creek are among the many great labels we’ve stayed connected to over the years so we’re proud to now have them all as part of the family.”
“Historically, independent labels have always seen getting records into stores as the first business decision they need to make.”
Martin Mills, Beggars (pictured main)
Martin Mills, Beggars Chairman, said: “Historically, independent labels have always seen getting records into stores as the first business decision they need to make.
“But now that physical is such a small and decreasing part of the majors’ business, for indies, to whom physical, and especially vinyl, is so much more important, to partner with the majors for distribution has become arguably anachronistic.
“Beggars works with great, fully independent distributors everywhere else in the world, and believes in bringing the advantages of our scale to the sector; and much as we’re sorry to leave ADA, with whom we’ve had incredible success, we’re very happy to be fully independently distributed at last in the USA.”
“While our relationship with ADA has ended, we leave with feelings of close camaraderie and the memories of so many impossible successes that we have shared over the last 20+ years.”
Matt Harmon, Beggars
Matt Harmon, Beggars President, added: “As George Harrison once sang, ‘All Things Must Pass,’ “While our relationship with ADA has ended, we leave with feelings of close camaraderie and the memories of so many impossible successes that we have shared over the last 20+ years.
“At the same time, we are massively excited for our relationship with our new physical distribution partner Redeye. Their enthusiasm for the music is infectious. We look forward to working together to bring that music to the fans for years to come.”
Kris Gillespie, Domino Managing Director, said: “It’s been impressive to watch how Glenn Dicker, Tor Hansen, and the Redeye team have grown the company over the past decade and we’re very excited to be starting the new one with them as our distribution partner.”
“Redeye feels like the right place for us to be.”
Robb Nansel, Saddle Creek
Robb Nansel of Saddle Creek said: “Redeye feels like the right place for us to be.
“With a staff that is clearly made up of music fans and creators, we are excited to be a part of the independent community at Redeye and we look forward to growing together in the future.”
Forthcoming titles in the new deals include Grimes’ Miss Anthropocene (4AD), Pinegrove’s Marigold (Rough Trade), Dan Deacon’s Mystic Familiar (Domino), and Frances Quinlan’s Likewise (Saddle Creek).Music Business Worldwide
