Fontana Partners With Dangerbird Records

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Fontana, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, has signed an exclusive distribution and artist development deal with Dangerbird Records.  The announcement was made today by Ron Spaulding, President of Fontana, and Jeff Castelaz, CEO of Dangerbird.

Dangerbird Records, the renowned Los Angeles-based independent record label formed in 2004 by manager Jeff Castelaz and singer-songwriter Peter Walker, has enjoyed great success with a roster culled from local Silver Lake bands as well as global acts.  Key artists include Silversun Pickups, Grammy nominees for Best New Artist, as well as Canadian alternative rock band Hot Hot Heat, Seattle's Minus the Bear and genre-bending buzz band Fitz and the Tantrums.  Upcoming releases in 2011 include career-defining albums from The Dears, The One AM Radio, Maritime (ex-members of the Promise Ring) and Walker's band, Eulogies. 

"Dangerbird Records has proven to be a strong and successful brand in all of their endeavors.  It is an honor and privilege to work with their staff and artists, who are about trust, confidence and mutual respect," stated Mr. Spaulding.  "We look forward to leveraging Fontana's strengths to accent Dangerbird's already successful brand."

"Our new partnership with Fontana strengthens Dangerbird's ability to deliver for its artists," said Mr. Castelaz. "Delivering for our artists is the only thing that matters to us.  Fontana recognized precisely what we needed from a distribution partner: a strong thrust in the retail marketplace, and an ally as we continue to grow. It's clear we've found the right new home for Dangerbird and its artists." 

About Fontana

Fontana Distribution, the independent arm of Universal Music Group Distribution, provides unparalleled sales and marketing support, as well as back office services, for a diverse roster of labels and their artists. Fontana distributes more than 80 labels including Rap-A-Lot Records, Eagle Rock, Downtown, Vagrant Records, WaterTower Music, American Gramophone, Kedar Entertainment, Last Gang, Savoy Label Group, ESL, Music World, Delicious Vinyl, Ipecac, Six Degrees, SMC, VP Records, and many others. In addition, Fontana distributes select projects from UMG labels worldwide.

About Dangerbird

Co-founded by CEO Jeff Castelaz and Chief Creative Officer Peter Walker in 2004, Dangerbird is now home to more than 30 bands—including Walker's band Eulogies—and producers, while encompassing six divisions: record label, management, music publishing, merchandising, licensing and a recording studio.  Dangerbird Records is a fully-staffed label that embraces each of their bands' releases, bringing vital music culture to the world by leveraging in-house marketing, radio promotion and licensing, as well as the best independent radio and marketing firms. 

SOURCE Fontana Distribution