This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Labels & Publishers
The Orchard acquires Shrapnel Records catalogue
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 20 November 2015
Distribution and services firm The Orchard has acquired the catalogue of US-based independent metal label Shrapnel Records, and will now oversee the digital and physical distribution of the record company’s 322-album-strong catalogue, about a third of which will be made available digitally for the first time.
Mike Varney, the founder of Shrapnel, which also has blues/rock and jazz/fusion imprints, says his company will continue to put out new records with its current roster of artists, but that it felt a larger company could better service the firm’s back catalogue.
He told reporters: “The distribution landscape has changed dramatically in the last ten years, requiring greater staffing with expertise in digital distribution. Although the Shrapnel Label Group will continue making new records, the expanded distribution and accompanying administration of the back catalogue was something we felt could be best served by a larger company. As a pioneer in digital distribution with a tremendous track record of more than fifteen years, The Orchard was in a stronger position to effectively realise this for our catalogue”.
Although best known as a distributor for other rights owners, this isn’t the first time The Orchard has acquired independent labels and catalogues for itself. It’s VP Of Catalogue Development, Jason Pascal, said of the new deal: “The Shrapnel Label Group was the first American label dedicated to metal and has pioneered the development of guitar-centric records. To get to work with a catalogue of this size and scope is humbling and inspiring, and I couldn’t be happier that The Orchard will now serve as the steward for Shrapnel’s legacy”.
