For Immediate Release:
British Rock Artist, The Kut, Signs Major US Deal That Includes Her London-Based Criminal Records Label
This week, British rock artist The Kut has announced signing a US distribution deal with Amplified – for her eagerly anticipated second album and the entire roster of London-based Criminal Records label. The deal moves US operations from the label’s West London Cartel Studios to a 700,000 square foot warehouse, backed by the world’s most powerful wholesaler, Alliance Entertainment and in partnership with AMPED Distribution.
The roster, including The Kut, Weekend Recovery, LORI, The Last Siren, Mike Walsh, The Exits, Argonaut and forthcoming signing Mick Southerland, will benefit from magnified future reach – the deal opening doors to potentially 3000+ new physical retailers and 1000+ e-commerce stores. The news follows that of rockstar music critic Everett True joining the roster, with the imminent release of his in-the-flesh account ‘Live Through This (Part 1 – Nirvana)’. Known for bringing Nirvana to the masses, in 1989 Everett featured such (then unknown) bands as Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Nirvana and was later credited with breaking ‘grunge’ to the outside world.
The US deal brings Criminal Records into an impressive label and artist roster including Kobalt, Epitaph, Nuclear Blast, Chrysalis, Bella Union, Believe Digital, Death Row, Curve Records, Pias, Earache, Ingrooves, Sub Pop (through partnership with ADA), Warner Classics, Papa Roach, Arlo Parks, Motley Crew, Dead Kennedys, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Bad Religion, Larkin Poe, Blink 182, Frank Turner, Gojira, Rival Sons, Black Flag and Die Antwoord.
Mike Donohue, CEO of Amplified Distribution, announced the deal stating “Amplified Distribution is thrilled to announce a U.S. distribution deal with Criminal Records in the UK. Criminal Records has signed independent UK bands including The Kut, Weekend Recovery and many more… They are bands that deserve to be heard here in America. Amplified looks forward to this partnership and we are excited about the next level artists Criminal plans to bring to us.”
The agreement completes that formed with Cargo Records UK in 2018, a partnership that saw The Kut spend two weeks in the UK Rock Albums Chart (No.7) with debut album ‘Valley of Thorns’. Her latest single hit the UK Single Sales Chart on Christmas Day (No.65) and spent four weeks in the UK Physical Singles Chart (No.10). In the US, these releases had NACC Rock Chart Entries, with airplay on Sirius XM, AAA and College stations and playlisting on MTV, LATV and AXS TV. Last month The Kut returned to live, headlining the River Stage at Isle of Wight Festival.
Having had previous interest from Warner USA before finally deciding to go independent, The Kut thanked her fans and made a call to potential collaborators via her blog: “We are beyond delighted to have signed a US distribution deal with forward thinking company Amplified Distribution. It’s not a secret that we are collectively the artists that the major labels didn’t understand… It’s early days, but we also plan to launch a label arm to support more independent artists. I’m putting out a call to my fellow musicians, promoters, agents and to anyone who wants to collaborate, to get in touch.”
The rest of the Criminal Records roster is just as fierce: The latest label release ‘I’m Still Here’ by electro-pop artist LORI was hailed as the ultimate survivor anthem, spending 2 weeks in the UK Physical Singles Chart last month and peaking at No.16. The single was featured on BBC Radio London, with recent releases appearing on Radio X, Amazing Radio and as far as KALX 90.7FM, California.
Recent signing The Last Siren announced “we are beyond proud of the ever growing success of this label… all we ask is you raise a glass tonight and show some big love to the label [and] the many talented artists in the roster.”
More information:
For more information please contact:
Chris, PR @ Criminal Records
Notes: If you would like to use the photo featuring Everett and Kurt, please do not crop and keep the caption line intact. Many thanks!