Ben Howard released the song "These Waters" in June 2008. It was released before Ben was signed to a record label on and album called Games in the Dark. Then in 2011 it was re-released as "The Wolves" on his next album called Every Kingdom. At this time Ben Howard when The Wolves was released he was signed with Island Records. Island Records was originally a UK based label but as of today it has branches in the UK, US and Australia. Island Records has now even signed artists as big as Bob Marley, Rizzle Kicks and Ariana Grande.
Mumford and Sons- The Cave
In august 2009 Mumford and Sons signed to Island Records like Ben Howard .Mumford and Sons released their song "The Cave" in February 2010 on their debut album Sigh No More. It was their second single to reach the US, after "Little Lion Man" and sold over 1.6 million digital copies by September 2012.
Noah and The Whale- L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
Noah and The Whale have been signed to multiple record labels such as Young and Lost, Cherrytree Records, Vertigo Records and Mercury Records. In 2011 Noah and the Whale released their third album called Last Night on Earth. "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N." was the first official released single from the album and it was released under Mercury Records. Mercury Records is an American-based record label owned by Universal Music Group. In the United States, it operates through Island Records; in the UK which as I have previously mentioned, owns other Artists within the Indie Folk genre. Mercury records have signed big names such as Rihanna, Jay-Z and Taylor Swift.
Foster the People- Pumped Up Kicks
In 2010 Foster the People was an unknown indie band who couldn't find an outlet for their music. However later that year they released the song "Pumped UP Kicks" free of charge onto their website. Thanks to social media it wasn't long before the song went viral, and the band was soon flooded with record labels trying to sign them including labels such as Warner Bros, Atlantic Records and many more, however the band decided to go with Columbia Records. Columbia Records is an American based label under ownership of Sony Music Entertainment. Columbia Records own artists such as Little Mix, Rita Ora and Adele.
The Lumineers- Ho Hey
In December 2011 The Lumineers released what would be their number one single "Ho Hey". At this time they were not signed with a label, but just two months later The Lumineers passed all major label offers to sign with the independent Dualtone Records. Unlike the previously mentioned record labels Dualtone Records actually focuses on artists within the indie folk genre.
In conclusion I can see that most mainstream record labels such as Island Records or Columbia Records have no main link in terms of genre between the artists they sign, but instead focus on which artists will be successful. With the exception of Dualtone Records which at the moment only chooses artists within the indie folk genre.
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