Just one year after its launch, inpop records has
recently unleashed a vision for continued label growth, including additional
ownership, several staff additions, and a promising release schedule for
2001.
Industry veteran Jeff Moseley has joined label founders Wes Campbell and
Peter Furler as general partner. Moseley has a long-standing relationship
with the two, having signed Newsboys to Star Song in 1989. Moseley
continues his ownership and commitment to his own growing labels, M2.0 and
the newly developed INO Records.
“I have always believed in Wes and Peter, and feel strongly about the vision
of independent labels in this day and time,” commented Moseley. “While I
believe there should be a third way of doing record deals and have fought
vigorously for such with my own labels, I feel there is still a need for a
traditional label deal structure within an independent framework..”
Moseley’s role will primarily be one as a partner and advisor to inpop. He
will work closely with inpop’s new VP and General Manager, Steve Ford. Ford
brings his knowledge of different genres to inpop, as he has become one of
the top marketing executives in the Christian music industry. Past
positions for Ford include Director of Marketing at Star Song
Communications, where he first worked with Moseley, Campbell and Furler, and
as VP of Marketing with Myrrh, where he managed marketing campaigns for such
artists as Amy Grant and Jaci Velasquez. Most recently Ford was an
executive with Broadband New Media, a full-service marketing firm, providing
marketing consulting, viral marketing and retail promotion.
Ford’s primary focus will be in creating and developing marketing plans for
all inpop artists, as well as the overall image, look, and perception of
inpop. He will also oversee the marketing and retail relationships with the
label1s distributor, Chordant Distribution.
“I love working with a small label, because it allows you to focus, pay
attention, and have a passion for a small roster of artists,” commented
Ford. “We plan for inpop to remain small, tight, and focused, with 5-6 new
releases a year. We will also continue to develop a strong, purposeful
relationship with Chordant, whose support of inpop and to its artists has
been incredible.”
VISION FOR CONTINUED LABEL GROWTH:
When inpop launched in 1999, their focus was to find the best international
talent from around the globe. While they will continue to utilize their
international connections, inpop1s new vision aims to strengthen their U.S.
presence, balancing its roster that currently boasts international acts such
as Phil Joel (New Zealand), Beanbag (Australia), Tree63 (South Africa) and
Rhubarb (Australia).
“When we started inpop, we had vision and expertise in certain areas –
touring, making records, etc.,” commented Campbell. “Now, having been
successful in making some great records and getting our artists on the road
in the U.S., we feel there are areas we need to strengthen in order to grow
inpop. We wanted to bring in people that had expertise in areas we might
not, but that are complimentary to our strengths – this is how companies
grow, last, and have an impact on our world. Moseley and Ford are two such
people, and we1re incredibly excited for them to be a part of inpop – it is
a very natural progression for us.”
Rounding out the inpop staff, and showing further commitment to the growth
of the label is Breeon Phillips, Director of Sales and Retail Promotion.
Phillips spent five years in the Chordant system, has an extensive sales
background, and will also be key in interfacing inpop into the Chordant
system. In addition, Constance Rhodes has been retained as marketing
consultant. Rhodes, who was in the EMI/Sparrow records1 system for over
five years, will work on key projects with inpop.
One of inpop’s original owners, Dale Bray, has made the decision to make
Australia his permanent home base, as his business, Crossroad, is continuing
to grow and become the leading Christian distributor in Australia.
A PROMISING 2001:
2001 kicks off with the CBA Expo launch of Phil Joel’s first solo tour
without bandmates, Newsboys. The “Strangely Normal Tour” is in support of
Joel’s successful solo debut, “Watching Over You.” It is sponsored by World
Vision FamilyChristian.com, and Acaza.com, targets 20 #1 markets including
Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis and Los Angeles. The tour will also
feature a diverse line-up, including Sparrow recording artists Earthsuit
and Luna Halo, Reunion’s LaRue, and Pamplin’s Katy Hudson.
“Watching Over You,” which has sold over 70,000 units in less than 5 months,
garnered a # 2 CHR smash and a top 10 AC hit with the single “God Is
Watching Over You.” Currently, Joel’s second single to CHR, “Strangely
Normal,” is climbing the charts at #11, as is his new AC single, “Author of
Life.”
In addition, Joel will record his second solo project for inpop in the
spring of 2001, with a release date set for November 2001.
March 2001 will be celebrated with the widely anticipated sophomore
recording from beanbag. Their debut project, “Free Signal,” released in
October 1999 to rave reviews, saw the band immediately honored with 2 Dove
Award nominations (Hard Music Album of the Year, Hard Music Song of the
Year) and an opening slot on Newsboys’ “LoveLibertyDisco” tour. This past
fall they co-headlined the “Extreme Days” tour with PAX217. “Free Signal”
has also garnered two Rock radio hits with “Whiplash” and “Desire of the Son
of Mourning.”
This fall, inpop released two new acts, TREE63 and RHUBARB. TREE63 delivered
their self-titled U.S. debut on October 24th, to reviews such as “This group’s success will not be a surprise when music fans hear the solid praise
and worship stadium rock of Tree63 (CCM, 11/00).” Tree63 was also the
opening act on SONICFLOOd’s fall 2000 U.S. tour, and will open for Rebecca
St. James on her Spring 2001 tour. Their first single, “Treasure,” has
received amazing response at Christian radio, currently #7 on the CHR chart
and climbing. **NEW RADIO INFO HERE** Inpop plans to release a follow-up
project from Tree63 in late 2001.
Rhubarb brought their fresh pop/rock sound to U.S. shores on November 21,
having already ruled the Australian mainstream pop market with their album
“Kamikaze.” Rhubarb has already received High Rotation of their single
ŒExerciser1 and performed a live unplugged set on MTV Australia. “Rolling
Stone (Australian edition)” commented,
“The sheer vibrancy and excitement of these tracks makes the whole of
Kamikaze utterly irresistable.”
“Exerciser” has already hit #1 on Christian radio stations in the U.S.
through the Air One Network, and is currently climbing the Christian Rock
charts.
In addition to new releases from Phil Joel, beanbag and Tree63, inpop will
soon be announcing at least 2 new signings to the roster, both of which the
label is very excited about.
“Again, we want to have a small, yet effective roster of artists, and plan
to continue inpop1s initial goal to sign the best Christian artists there
are around the world,” said Ford.
